Absorbent article

Abstract

An absorbent article (1) is provided with an absorbent body (4) and flaps (6) that extend outward from the outer edge of the absorbent body (4) and form the outline of the absorbent article. The absorber (4) has, in the rear region (R), a liquid diffusion suppression region (45) and at least one pair of rear compression grooves (71) spaced apart in the lateral direction (Y). In a plan view, the distance between the rear compression grooves (71) gradually decreases rearward in the longitudinal direction (X). The absorbent article (1) has a narrowed rear section (62), an enlarged width section (63) in which the entire width of the absorbent article gradually increases toward the rear end (R1) in the longitudinal direction, and a tapered rear section (64) in which the entire width of the absorbent article gradually decreases toward the rear end (R1) in the longitudinal direction. In a plan view, at least a portion of the liquid diffusion suppression region (45) is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the pair of rear compression grooves (71, 71).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an absorbent article worn on the crotch to absorb excrement. Background Art

[0002] Absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins usually have an absorbent body disposed between a front sheet and a back sheet, and a wing portion extending outward from the absorbent body. As such an absorbent article, Patent Document 1 discloses an absorbent article having an embossed pattern, the embossed pattern comprising: a pair of rear embossments extending from a central region to the rear side of the article and formed opposite to a center line in a width direction; a rear embossment surrounding the rear embossment; and an embossed portion formed in a similar shape to the rear embossment.

[0003] The applicant has previously proposed an absorbent article in which the absorbent core of the absorbent body has a narrow front middle high portion and a rear middle high portion protruding convexly in the center in the width direction, and a bending base point is provided between these front middle high portion and rear middle high portion (Patent Document 2).

[0004] In addition, an absorbent article is known in which the rear region of the article is formed in a mountain shape.

[0005] Patent document 3 discloses an absorbent article having an absorbent body tapered into an hourglass shape, and a pair of wings extending from the absorbent body to both outer sides in the width direction, and having a rear region tapering toward the rear end in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent. Patent document 4 discloses an absorbent article having a pair of wings at both ends in the width direction, and the article including the wings in the rear region has a shape in which the width tapers toward the rear end in the longitudinal direction.

[0006] Prior art literature

[0007] Patent Literature

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-181080

[0009] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-239162

[0010] Patent Document 3: International Publication No. 2019-026176

[0011] Patent Document 4: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-146089 Summary of the invention

[0012] The present invention relates to an absorbent article having a longitudinal direction corresponding to the front-to-back direction of a wearer and a transverse direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, and having a middle area arranged relative to the excretion part of the wearer when worn, a front area arranged at a position forward of the longitudinal direction than the middle area, and a rear area arranged at a position rearward of the longitudinal direction than the middle area.

[0013] In one embodiment, it is preferred that the absorbent article has a front sheet located on the skin-opposing side, a back sheet located on the non-skin-opposing side, an absorbent body located between the two sheets, and wings extending outward from the outer edge of the absorbent body to form the outline of the absorbent article.

[0014] In one embodiment, the absorbent body preferably has a liquid diffusion suppression region in the rear region that can suppress liquid diffusion in the planar direction compared with surrounding portions, and at least a pair of rear compressed grooves spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction.

[0015] In one embodiment, preferably, in a plan view, in the pair of rear compression grooves, the distance between the rear compression grooves gradually decreases as going toward the rear in the longitudinal direction.

[0016] In one embodiment, preferably, the absorbent article has a rear narrowing portion whose lateral length is shorter than the portions located in front and behind it, and the minimum width portion of the rear narrowing portion where the lateral length is the smallest becomes the boundary between the middle area and the rear area.

[0017] In one embodiment, preferably, the rear area has: a width expansion portion in which the full width of the absorbent article gradually increases toward the longitudinal rear end; and a rear tapering portion located longitudinally rearward of the width expansion portion and in which the full width of the absorbent article gradually decreases toward the longitudinal rear end.

[0018] In one embodiment, it is preferred that at least a portion of the liquid diffusion suppressing region be disposed so as to be sandwiched between the pair of rear compressed grooves in a plan view. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 This is a plan view showing the skin-opposing side of a sanitary napkin as one embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 II-II cross-sectional view.

[0021] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 III-III cross-sectional view.

[0022] Figure 4 Yes means Figure 1 An enlarged plan view of the rear area of ​​a sanitary napkin is shown.

[0023] Figure 5 It is used to illustrate Figure 4 A three-dimensional diagram showing the effect of a sanitary napkin.

[0024] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 An enlarged plan view of the rear compression groove is shown.

[0025] Figure 7 Yes means Figure 1 A plan view of the non-skin facing side of a sanitary napkin is shown.

[0026] Figure 8 This is another embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention. Figure 4 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The inventions disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 4 have room for improvement in terms of achieving both high absorption performance from the perspective of preventing leakage and reducing discomfort when worn. For example, as in the invention disclosed in Patent Document 2, the middle and high part located behind the buttocks is easily twisted around it during long-term use or sleeping, and this twisting is likely to cause discomfort. In addition, when worn during the day, the body moves more actively, so the friction between the absorbent article and the skin may also cause discomfort.

[0028] The present invention relates to an absorbent article capable of achieving both high absorption performance and reduced discomfort when worn.

[0029] Hereinafter, the absorbent article of the present invention will be described based on preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 to Figure 7 A sanitary napkin 1 (hereinafter also referred to as "sanitary napkin 1") is shown as one embodiment of an absorbent article of the present invention. The sanitary napkin 1 has a longitudinal direction X corresponding to the front-to-back direction of the wearer and extending from the front side (ventral side) of the wearer through the crotch portion to the rear side (dorsal side), and a lateral direction Y orthogonal to the longitudinal direction X.

[0030] In the present invention, "longitudinal front" refers to a position that is closer to the front side (abdomen of the wearer) than the reference position in the longitudinal direction, and "longitudinal rear" refers to a position that is closer to the rear side (back side of the wearer) than the reference position in the longitudinal direction. Hereinafter, the position at the most front side (back side) in the longitudinal direction X of the sanitary napkin 1 is also referred to as "front end F1 in the longitudinal direction X", and the position at the most rear side (back side) in the longitudinal direction X of the sanitary napkin 1 is also referred to as "rear end R1 in the longitudinal direction X".

[0031] like Figure 1 As shown, the sanitary napkin 1 of this embodiment has a shape that is long in the longitudinal direction X. The longitudinal direction X coincides with the length direction of the sanitary napkin 1 .

[0032] The sanitary napkin 1 of the present embodiment is formed bilaterally symmetrically with respect to a center line CL which bisects the sanitary napkin 1 in the transverse direction Y and extends in the longitudinal direction X. The center line CL is a virtual straight line.

[0033] The sanitary napkin 1 comprises a middle region M arranged opposite to the excretion part of the wearer when worn, a front region F arranged in front of the middle region M in the longitudinal direction X, and a rear region R arranged in the rear of the middle region M in the longitudinal direction X (see Figure 1 The middle region M includes a region that is disposed opposite to the excretion part such as the vulva of the wearer when the wearer is worn. The contours of these regions F, M, and R are formed by the wing portion 6 described later.

[0034] In this embodiment, the sanitary napkin 1 has a front narrowing portion 61 located on the front side in the longitudinal direction X and a rear narrowing portion 62 located on the rear side in the longitudinal direction X (see Figure 1 ).like Figure 1 As shown, the front narrowing portion 61 is located at a position closer to the front side of the longitudinal direction X than the rear narrowing portion 62. These narrowing portions 61, 62 are portions whose width (length in the transverse direction Y) is shorter than the portions located in front and behind them, and are portions where the two side edges of the sanitary napkin 1 are narrowed toward the inner side in the transverse direction Y. Each narrowing portion 61, 62 has a minimum width portion 61A, 62A (not shown) in which the width (length in the transverse direction Y) of the sanitary napkin 1 in each narrowing portion 61, 62 is the smallest, and the minimum width portion becomes the boundary between the front region F and the middle region M and the boundary between the middle region M and the rear region R. Specifically, the minimum width portion of the front narrowing portion 61 becomes the boundary between the front region F and the middle region M, and the minimum width portion of the rear narrowing portion 62 becomes the boundary between the middle region M and the rear region R.

[0035] When the sanitary napkin 1 does not have a front narrowing portion 61, the area on the front end side of the three areas obtained by dividing the length of the minimum width portion from the front end of the sanitary napkin 1 to the rear narrowing portion 62 into three equal parts in the longitudinal direction X is set as the front area F, and the two areas farther back than the area on the front end side are set as the middle area M.

[0036] In this specification, the "skin-opposing surface" refers to the surface of the absorbent article or its component (e.g., absorbent body 4) that faces the skin side of the wearer when the absorbent article is worn, and the "non-skin-opposing surface" refers to the surface of the absorbent article or its component that faces the side opposite to the skin side when the absorbent article is worn. That is, the skin-opposing surface is the surface on the side relatively close to the skin of the wearer, and the non-skin-opposing surface is the surface on the side relatively far from the skin of the wearer. "When worn" and "worn state" refer to the state of being worn while maintaining a normal appropriate wearing position, that is, an appropriate wearing position of the absorbent article.

[0037] The sanitary napkin 1 of this embodiment includes an absorbent body 10 that is long in the longitudinal direction X. The absorbent body 10 is a part that constitutes the main body of the sanitary napkin 1. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the absorbent body 10 includes a front sheet 2 forming a skin-facing surface, a back sheet 3 forming a non-skin-facing surface, and an absorbent body 4 located between these two sheets 2 and 3 .

[0038] The absorbent body 4 is a component capable of absorbing and retaining body fluids such as menstrual blood, urine, and sweat, and the front sheet 2 covers the entire area of ​​the skin-facing surface of the absorbent body 4, and the back sheet 3 covers the entire area of ​​the non-skin-facing surface of the absorbent body 4. In the longitudinal direction X, the front and rear end edges of the front sheet 2 and the back sheet 3 are of the same shape, and at the front and rear ends, these sheets 2 and 3 overlap and are joined by the end sealing portion 65 described later. In addition, the back sheet 3 extends outward in the transverse direction Y than the front sheet 2.

[0039] As the front sheet 2, various front sheets used in absorbent articles such as physiological sanitary napkins in the past can be used without particular restriction. For example, liquid permeability sheets such as nonwoven fabrics and perforated films of a single layer or multilayer structure can be used. As the back sheet 3, liquid difficult permeability sheets such as moisture permeable resin films can be used.

[0040] The absorbent body 4 of the present embodiment includes a liquid-absorbent absorbent core 40 and a liquid-permeable core sheet (not shown) covering the outer surface of the absorbent core 40 .

[0041] The absorbent body 4 of this embodiment has: a portion 4C having a constant total width in the longitudinal direction X (hereinafter referred to as "constant width portion 4C"); and mountain-shaped tapered ends 4E, 4E (see FIG. 1 ) located on both sides of the constant width portion in the longitudinal direction X and gradually decreasing in total width as it goes outward in the longitudinal direction X. Figure 1 ).

[0042] The absorbent core 40 constitutes the main body of the absorbent body 4. Figure 1The absorbent core 40 has a shape that is long in the longitudinal direction X when viewed from above. The shape of the absorbent core 40 when viewed from above is roughly consistent with the shape of the absorbent body 4 when viewed from above. The absorbent core 40 is arranged on the sanitary napkin 1 in such a way that its length direction is consistent with the longitudinal direction X of the sanitary napkin 1. The absorbent core 40 and the core sheet can also be joined by an adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive. As the core sheet, a sheet of the same forming material as the front sheet 2 can be used.

[0043] The absorbent core 40 contains a water-absorbent material, which includes water-absorbent fibers and water-absorbent polymers.

[0044] As the absorbent fiber, the existing absorbent fiber used as the forming material of the absorbent body (absorbent core) in such absorbent articles can be used. As the absorbent fiber, for example, natural fibers such as wood pulp such as conifer pulp and broadleaf pulp, non-wood pulp such as cotton pulp and hemp pulp; modified pulp such as cationized pulp and mercerized pulp; regenerated fibers such as cuprammonium fiber and rayon, etc., can be used alone or in combination of two or more. In view of the fact that the main function of the absorbent fiber is to improve the liquid absorbency of the absorbent body 4, as the absorbent fiber, natural fibers and regenerated fibers (cellulose fibers) are preferred.

[0045] The details of the absorbent core 40 will be described in detail.

[0046] like Figure 1 As shown, the sanitary napkin 1 of this embodiment has a pair of side panels 60, 60 on both sides of the skin-opposing surface of the absorbent body 10 (the skin-opposing surface of the front sheet 2) along the longitudinal direction X. The pair of side panels 60, 60 overlap the two sides of the absorbent body 10 when viewed from above and are continuously arranged over the substantially entire length of the longitudinal direction X of the absorbent body 10.

[0047] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the side panel 60 is arranged inside and outside the outer edge (periphery) of the absorbent body 4. In the sanitary napkin 1 of this embodiment, a pair of wavy seals 21 are formed on the inner side of the side panel 60 in the transverse direction Y to connect the side panel 60 to the front panel 2. The wavy seals 21 extend in the direction X on both side portions along the longitudinal direction X of the absorbent body 10 and are formed by heat sealing. The portion of the side panel 60 that extends from the wavy seals 21 to the inner side in the transverse direction Y forms a leak-proof cuff 5. The inner end of the leak-proof cuff 5 in the transverse direction Y becomes a free end. The free end of the leak-proof cuff 5 stands up toward the skin side of the wearer (refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 ), thereby preventing body fluids (excrement) such as menstrual blood excreted on the front sheet 2 from leaking outward in the lateral direction Y.

[0048] As the side sheet 60 , a sheet made of the same material as the back sheet 3 can be used.

[0049] In the sanitary napkin 1 of the present embodiment, an end seal 65 for joining the side sheet 60 and the back sheet 3 is formed at the outer end of the side sheet 60 in the transverse direction Y. The end seal 65 joins the outer peripheries of the front sheet 2 and the back sheet 3 to each other at the front end and the rear end in the longitudinal direction X, and joins the outer peripheries of the side sheet 60 and the back sheet 3 to each other at the both side edges in the transverse direction Y, and the outer peripheries of the end seal 65 form the outer shape (contour) of the sanitary napkin 1.

[0050] The sanitary napkin 1 has wings 6 extending outward from the outer edge of the absorbent body 4 and forming the outline of the sanitary napkin 1 (see FIG. Figure 1 The wing portion 6 of the present embodiment is a portion extending outward from the peripheral edge of the absorbent body 4 and serves as a non-arrangement region of the absorbent body 4 .

[0051] The wing portion 6 of the present embodiment is composed of components arranged in a manner that spans the outer edge (periphery) inside and outside the absorbent body 4. More specifically, the wing portion 6 is composed of two or more sheet components among the front sheet 2, the back sheet 3 and the side sheet 60. The plurality of sheet components constituting the wing portion 6 are bonded to each other by bonding means such as bonding agent, heat or ultrasonic welding, etc. The wing portion 6 of the present embodiment is continuously formed with an end seal portion 65 formed by welding around the entire circumference of its peripheral portion.

[0052] The wing portion 6 of this embodiment includes a pair of side wing portions 6S, 6S located on both sides of the transverse direction Y of the sanitary napkin 1 and a pair of end wing portions 6E, 6E located on both sides of the longitudinal direction X (see Figure 1 ). The side wing portions 6S of this embodiment are formed by the side sheets 60 and the back sheet 3 extending outward from the two side edges of the absorbent body 4 in the horizontal direction Y. The end wing portions 6E, 6E of this embodiment are formed by the front sheet 2 and the back sheet 3 extending from the front and rear ends of the absorbent body 4 in the longitudinal direction X. The sheets forming these side wing portions 6S and the end wing portions 6E are joined to each other by the end sealing portions 65.

[0053] The front narrowing portion 61 and the rear narrowing portion 62 are formed by shrinking the contour of the side wing portion 6S inward in the transverse direction Y. On the other hand, the two side edges of the absorbent body 4 are along the longitudinal direction X. That is, when the sanitary napkin 1 is observed along the longitudinal direction X, the length of the side wing portion 6S in the transverse direction Y decreases at the front narrowing portion 61 and the rear narrowing portion 62, but the length of the absorbent body 4 in the transverse direction Y is constant. Figure 1 As shown, the side wing portion 6S has a region in the middle region M which is sandwiched in the longitudinal direction X by the front narrowed portion 61 and the rear narrowed portion 62 .

[0054] Hereinafter, the “length in the horizontal direction Y” may also be referred to as the “width”, and the “full length in the horizontal direction Y” may also be referred to as the “full width”.

[0055] The rear region R has: a width expansion portion 63 in which the full width of the sanitary napkin 1 gradually increases as it goes toward the rear end R1 in the longitudinal direction X; and a rear tapered portion 64 which is located at a position behind the width expansion portion 63 in the longitudinal direction X and in which the full width of the sanitary napkin 1 gradually decreases as it goes toward the rear end R1 in the longitudinal direction X. The width expansion portion 63 is a portion which is adjacent to the middle region M in the longitudinal direction X and which gradually increases in width from the minimum width portion of the rear narrowing portion 62 toward the rear in the longitudinal direction X. The rear tapered portion 64 is adjacent to the width expansion portion 63 in the longitudinal direction X. That is, the sanitary napkin 1 has a width expansion portion 63 between the rear tapered portion 64 and the middle region M in the longitudinal direction X (see Figure 1 ). In the width expansion portion 63, the full width of the absorbent body 4 is a constant value in the longitudinal direction X, while the full width of the side wing portion 6S gradually increases toward the rear end R1 in the longitudinal direction X. The full width of the side wing portion 6S is not the sum of the full widths of the side wing portions 6S on both sides, but the full width of each side wing portion 6S on one side.

[0056] The sanitary napkin 1 has a maximum width portion 67 having the largest total width in the rear region R at the boundary between the width-enlarged portion 63 and the rear tapered portion 64 (see Figure 1 and Figure 4 ).exist Figure 4 and the following Figure 8 In FIG. 4 , for convenience of explanation, the absorbent core 40 is indicated by a solid line.

[0057] The rear tapered portion 64 includes the rear end portion of the constant width portion 4C of the absorbent body 4 and the end portion 4E (see FIG. 1 ) located on the rear side of the constant width portion 4C where the front end becomes narrower (tapered). Figure 1 ). In addition, in the rear tapered portion 64, the full width of the side wing portion 6S gradually decreases as it goes backward in the longitudinal direction X, and the extension length of the end wing portion 6E from the absorbent body 4 is a constant value. The portion where the width of the side wing portion 6S is reduced and the constant width portion 4C of the absorbent body 4 overlap in the longitudinal direction X in the rear tapered portion 64. In the rear tapered portion 64, the portion where the extension length of the end wing portion 6E from the absorbent body 4 is a constant value is located behind the portion where the width of the side wing portion 6S is reduced in the longitudinal direction X, and has a shape along the shape of the end portion 4E where the front end of the absorbent body 4 tapers. The rear tapered portion 64 of the present embodiment is curved in such a way that the end portion 4E where the front end of the absorbent body 4 tapers and the end wing portion 6E become similar shapes to each other.

[0058] The absorber 4 has a liquid diffusion suppression region 45 in the rear region R that can suppress liquid diffusion in the planar direction compared to the surrounding portions (see Figure 1 ). The area surrounding the liquid diffusion suppression area 45 is also referred to as the "peripheral area 41". The outer edge of the peripheral area 41 of this embodiment becomes the outer edge of the absorbent core 40, surrounding both the liquid diffusion suppression area 45 and the middle large thickness portion 43 described later.

[0059] Furthermore, “the liquid diffusion suppression region 45 can suppress liquid diffusion in the planar direction compared to the surrounding portions” means that the diffusion time of the body fluid discharged from the excretion part (vaginal opening) of the wearer after reaching the liquid diffusion suppression region 45 is longer than before the body fluid diffuses from the middle region M to the rear region R and reaches the liquid diffusion suppression region 45. That is, the liquid diffusion suppression region 45 only needs to have a longer diffusion time of the body fluid of the absorbent article in the longitudinal direction X than at least the region on the middle region M side from the front end of the liquid diffusion suppression region 45 (for example, a range of 100 mm on the middle region M side from the front end in the longitudinal direction X).

[0060] The liquid diffusion suppression region 45 is a region in the absorbent body 4 having a structure capable of suppressing the diffusion of body fluids. The liquid diffusion suppression region 45 is preferably any one or more of (1) a thicker portion, (2) a higher gram weight portion, and (3) a higher density portion. The liquid diffusion suppression region 45 may be any one of the above (1) to (3) alone, or a combination of any two or more of the above (1) to (3).

[0061] The thick portion (1) is a portion where the thickness of the absorbent core 40 is greater than the surrounding portion, and is a so-called middle-high portion. The thick portion is, for example, a portion where the thickness of the absorbent core 40 as a whole is raised toward the skin-opposite side compared to the surrounding portion. The high-weight portion (2) is a portion where the weight of the core-forming material forming the absorbent core 40 is higher than the surrounding portion. The high-density portion (3) is a portion where the density of the absorbent core 40 is higher than the surrounding portion.

[0062] In this embodiment, the liquid diffusion suppression region 45 is at least the large thickness portion 45a described in (1), and the peripheral region 41 is a small thickness portion 41a (see Figure 2 and Figure 3 ).

[0063] From the viewpoint of improving fit by allowing the thick portion 45a to enter the gluteal groove of the wearer when worn and further blocking body fluids by the thick portion 45a, the thickness t5 (see Figure 3 ) and the thickness t4 of the peripheral region 41 (refer to Figure 3 ) is preferably greater than or equal to 2 mm and less than or equal to 6 mm, and more preferably greater than or equal to 3 mm and less than or equal to 5 mm.

[0064] From the viewpoint of further achieving both absorption performance and reduction of discomfort in the wearing state, the thickness t5 (see Figure 3 ) is preferably greater than 5 mm and less than 10 mm, and more preferably greater than 6 mm and less than 8 mm.

[0065] From the same viewpoint as above, the thickness t4 of the peripheral region 41 (see Figure 3 ) is preferably greater than 2 mm and less than 5 mm, and more preferably greater than 3 mm and less than 4 mm.

[0066] Each thickness of the liquid diffusion suppression region 45 and the peripheral region 41 is the thickness of the absorbent core 40 .

[0067] The thickness of each part of the absorbent core 40 is measured by the following method. When the absorbent core 40 is covered with a core wrap as in the sanitary napkin 1 of the present embodiment, the thickness of the absorbent core is measured in a state surrounded by the core wrap.

[0068] <Method for measuring the thickness of the absorbent core>

[0069] Place the absorbent core in a horizontal position without wrinkles or bends and measure 5cN / cm 2 The thickness under the load of 5 cN / cm was measured using a thickness gauge PEACOCK DIAL UPRIGHT GAUGE R5-C (manufactured by OZAKI MFG.CO.LTD.). At this time, a circular or square plate (acrylic resin plate with a thickness of about 5 mm) was placed between the front end of the thickness gauge and the measuring part in the absorbent core to make the load 5 cN / cm 2 method to make adjustments.

[0070] In the embodiment in which the liquid diffusion suppression region 45 is the high grammage portion of (2), the peripheral region 41 surrounding the liquid diffusion suppression region 45 is a low grammage portion having a grammage lower than that of the high grammage portion. In this case, the absorption capacity of the body fluid in the liquid diffusion suppression region 45 is increased compared to the peripheral region 41, so that the flow (diffusion) of the liquid to the peripheral region 41 can be suppressed.

[0071] From the viewpoint of more reliably exerting this effect, the basis weight of the liquid diffusion suppressing region 45 as the high basis weight portion is preferably 300 g / m 2 Above and 700g / m 2 Below, more preferably 400g / m 2 Above and 600g / m 2 the following.

[0072] From the same viewpoint as above, the basis weight of the peripheral region 41 as the low basis weight portion is preferably 150 g / m 2 Above and 350g / m 2 Below, more preferably 200g / m 2 Above and 300g / m 2 the following.

[0073] Each gram weight of the liquid diffusion suppressing region 45 and the peripheral region 41 is the gram weight of the core forming material of the absorbent core 40 .

[0074] In the embodiment in which the liquid diffusion suppression region 45 is the high-density portion of (3), the peripheral region 41 surrounding the liquid diffusion suppression region 45 is a low-density portion having a density lower than that of the high-density portion. In this case, the inlet property of the body fluid in the liquid diffusion suppression region 45 is improved due to the capillary phenomenon, so that the flow (diffusion) of the liquid into the peripheral region 41 can be suppressed.

[0075] From the viewpoint of more reliably exerting this effect, the density of the liquid diffusion suppressing region 45 as the high-density portion is preferably 0.03 g / cm 3 Above and 0.3g / cm 3 Below, more preferably 0.05 g / cm 3 Above and 0.2g / cm 3 the following.

[0076] From the same viewpoint as above, the density of the peripheral region 41 as the low-density portion is preferably 0.01 g / cm 3 Above and 0.2g / cm 3 Below, more preferably 0.03 g / cm 3 Above and 0.15g / cm 3 the following.

[0077] Each density of the liquid diffusion suppressing region 45 and the peripheral region 41 is the density of the core forming material of the absorbent core 40 .

[0078] From the viewpoint of further suppressing the diffusion of body fluids in the absorbent body 4, the liquid diffusion suppression area 45 is preferably the large thickness portion 45a of (1) or the high grammage portion of (2), and more preferably the large thickness portion 45a of (1) and the high grammage portion of (2). In the latter case, the peripheral area 41 is a small thickness portion 41a and a low grammage portion compared to the liquid diffusion suppression area 45.

[0079] The absorbent body 4 of the present embodiment has a middle thick portion 43 in which the thickness of the absorbent core 40 is greater than that of the surrounding area in the middle region M (see Figure 1 ). The middle thick portion 43 has a central portion located in the center of the transverse direction Y of the absorbent core 40 and extending in the longitudinal direction X, and a pair of side portions whose length in the longitudinal direction X gradually decreases from both sides of the central portion toward the outside of the transverse direction Y. That is, the pair of side portions are portions extending outward from the central portion in the transverse direction Y. The outer ends of the side portions in the transverse direction Y reach the two side edges 4S, 4S of the absorbent core 40 along the longitudinal direction X. In addition, the middle thick portion 43 has a contour in which both ends of the central portion in the longitudinal direction X are bent into an arc shape.

[0080] The thickness of the intermediate large thickness portion 43 is greater than that of the peripheral region 41 , and may be the same as or different from the thickness of the large thickness portion 45 a (liquid diffusion suppression region 45 ) described above.

[0081] The absorbent body 4 of this embodiment has a pair of central compressed grooves 74, 74 extending from the front region F to the rear region R via the middle region M in the longitudinal direction X, and a front compressed groove 75 located forward of the compressed groove 74 (see Figure 1 ). The front compression groove 75 has a curved arc shape similarly to the front end of the absorbent body 4. These compression grooves 74, 75 are compression grooves independent of the rear compression groove 71 described later, and are spaced apart from the rear compression groove 71 in the longitudinal direction X. That is, these compression grooves 74, 75 are not continuous with the rear compression groove 71. The central compression groove 74 and the front compression groove 75 are formed by integrally recessing the front sheet 2 and the absorbent body 4 toward the non-skin facing surface through a known embossing process (compression process) similarly to the rear compression groove 71.

[0082] In addition, Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the figure, for the convenience of explanation, the central compression groove 74 and the rear compression groove 71 are omitted.

[0083] The absorbent body 4 has at least one pair of rear compressed grooves 71, 71 spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction Y in the rear region R (see Figure 1 and Figure 4 The rear compressed groove 71 is a concave portion compressed from the skin-facing surface to the non-skin-facing surface of the absorber 4, and can also be called a "compressed portion" according to its formation method. The rear compressed groove 71 is formed in the peripheral area 41 and has a higher density than its peripheral area.

[0084] The rear compression groove 71 of the present embodiment can be implemented by, for example, embossing with or without heat, ultrasonic embossing, or other known embossing processes (compression processes). For example, by applying a compression process accompanied by heat to the skin-facing surface (front sheet 2) of the absorbent body 10, the rear compression groove 71 in which the front sheet 2 and the absorbent body 4 are integrally recessed toward the non-skin-facing surface can be formed. In this case, at the bottom of the rear compression groove 71, the front sheet 2, the core sheet (not shown) and the absorbent core 40 can be integrated by heat fusion.

[0085] The pair of rear compression grooves 71 are linear compression grooves extending in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction X. In a plan view, the distance between the pair of rear compression grooves 71 gradually decreases as they go backward in the longitudinal direction X. The rear ends 71r, 71r of the rear compression grooves 71 of this embodiment are spaced apart in the transverse direction Y (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 4 ).

[0086] At least a portion of the liquid diffusion suppression region 45 of the sanitary napkin 1 is disposed between a pair of rear compressed grooves 71, 71 (see Figure 4 In the sanitary napkin 1 of this embodiment, the central portion and the rear portion of the liquid diffusion suppression region 45 in the longitudinal direction X enter between the pair of rear compressed grooves 71, 71 in the longitudinal direction X.

[0087] As described above, the sanitary napkin 1 of the present embodiment has the rear tapered portion 64 in the rear region R, and has the liquid diffusion suppression region 45 disposed between a pair of rear compression grooves 71, 71 in the rear region R. When the sanitary napkin 1 is worn, the rear tapered portion 64 abuts against the buttocks of the wearer. The rear tapered portion 64 has a smaller area extending outward from the absorbent body in the transverse direction Y than a sanitary napkin without the rear tapered portion 64, and the full width gradually decreases. As a result, since the rear region R does not reach the high-movement part of the buttocks accompanying movements such as walking, friction and stuffiness between the rear region R and the skin can be suppressed, and discomfort during wearing can be reduced. In addition, since the rear tapered portion 64 follows the gluteal cleft and the gluteal groove, a good fit can be obtained. Moreover, in the rear region R, the pair of rear compression grooves 71, 71 are spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction Y, so that the rigidity caused by the compression groove 71 can be reduced, and excessive hardness can be suppressed. As a result, the rear region R exhibits high followability to the buttocks, and thus the discomfort during wearing can be reduced.

[0088] On the other hand, when a portion having a large absorption capacity such as the liquid diffusion suppression region 45 is provided in the rear region R, distortion may occur around the portion and may reach the portion. In view of this, the sanitary napkin 1 of this embodiment is provided with a pair of rear compression grooves 71, so that the diffusion suppression effect of the liquid diffusion suppression region 45 in the wearing state can be stabilized. For example, when a compressive force ( Figure 5 black arrow) or torsional stress ( Figure 5 In the case of the white arrows, the pair of rear compression grooves 71 with higher rigidity than the surrounding area can effectively suppress the application of these compressive forces or torsional stresses to the liquid diffusion suppression area 45 (see Figure 5 ). Thus, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of twists and wrinkles in the liquid diffusion suppression region 45, so that the absorption performance and diffusion suppression effect of the liquid diffusion suppression region 45 in the worn state can be stably exerted.

[0089] As described above, the sanitary napkin 1 of this embodiment has high absorption performance due to the liquid diffusion suppressing region 45, and reduces discomfort when worn due to the above-mentioned structure, so it is excellent in wearing comfort.

[0090] From the viewpoint of further improving the wearing feeling, the rear compression groove 71 is preferably arranged only in the rear region R. That is, the front end 71f of the rear compression groove 71 in the longitudinal direction X is located in the rear region R (see Figure 4 ).

[0091] From the same viewpoint as described above, it is preferable that the pair of rear compressed grooves 71 be arranged symmetrically with respect to a center line CL that bisects the entire length in the transverse direction Y of the sanitary napkin 1 .

[0092] The rear compressed groove 71 of this embodiment is formed by a plurality of small embossed portions 72 arranged in a predetermined direction (see Figure 4 and Figure 6 ). Specifically, the rear compression groove 71 is formed by arranging a plurality of circular small embossed portions 72 at intervals along a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction X. With this structure, the rigidity in the rear compression groove 71 is further reduced, thereby further improving the tracking property of the rear region R to the body and the wearing feeling during movement.

[0093] From the viewpoint of more reliably exerting this effect, the distance L6 between the small embossed parts 72 of the rear compression groove 71 is preferably Figure 6 ) is smaller than the diameter L5 of the small embossed portion 72 (refer to Figure 6 The distance L6 between the small embossed portions 72 is the shortest distance between the small embossed portions 72 and is the distance along the direction in which the rear compressed groove 71 extends.

[0094] When the small embossed portion 72 is elliptical, the major axis diameter of the small embossed portion 72 is defined as the diameter L5.

[0095] From the same viewpoint as described above, the rear compression groove 71 preferably has the following dimensions.

[0096] The diameter L5 of the small embossed portion 72 (see Figure 6 ) is preferably greater than 20% and less than 80% relative to the distance L6 between the small embossed portions 72, and more preferably greater than 35% and less than 65%.

[0097] The diameter L5 of the small embossed portion 72 (see Figure 6 ) is preferably greater than or equal to 0.3 mm and less than or equal to 3 mm, and more preferably greater than or equal to 0.5 mm and less than or equal to 2 mm.

[0098] The distance L6 between the small embossed portions 72 (see Figure 6 ) is preferably greater than 0.5 mm and less than 5 mm, and more preferably greater than 1 mm and less than 3 mm.

[0099] The above structure of the rear compression groove 71 can also be applied to the central compression groove 74 and the front compression groove 75 .

[0100] The small embossed portion 72 of the present embodiment is circular, but is not limited to this shape, and may be elliptical, polygonal, such as a triangle or a quadrilateral, or a regular polygon, or may be linear.

[0101] When the small embossed portion 72 is a linear embossed portion along the direction in which the rear compression groove 71 extends, the distance L6 between the small embossed portions 72 is preferably 10 mm or more and 20 mm or less. In this case, from the perspective of further improving the followability of the rear region R to the body and the wearing feeling during movement, the length of the small embossed portion 72 is preferably 5 mm or more and 15 mm or less. The length of the small embossed portion 72 is the length of the small embossed portion 72 (linear embossed portion) in the direction in which the rear compression groove 71 extends.

[0102] The rear ends 74r, 74r of the pair of central compressed grooves 74, 74 of this embodiment are spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction Y. The central compressed groove 74 reaches the liquid diffusion suppression region 45 in the longitudinal direction X (see Figure 1 and Figure 4 The rear end 74r of the central compressed groove 74 is located closer to the rear end R1 of the sanitary napkin 1 in the longitudinal direction X than the front end of the liquid diffusion suppressing region 45 .

[0103] In the sanitary napkin 1 of this embodiment, the liquid diffusion suppression region 45 is preferably located between the rear ends 74r, 74r of the pair of central compressed grooves 74, 74 (see Figure 4 ). Thus, it is possible to further suppress the body fluid from spreading outward in the lateral direction Y, and to guide the body fluid to the liquid diffusion suppression region 45 along the central compressed groove 74.

[0104] From the viewpoint of further reducing the stress propagating from the front region F or the middle region M to the rear region R of the sanitary napkin 1 in the wearing state, it is preferable that the rear ends 74r, 74r of the pair of central compression grooves 74, 74 are located at the inner side of the front ends 71f, 71f of the pair of rear compression grooves 71, 72 in the horizontal direction Y. In this case, it is preferable that the distance W3 between the rear ends 74r, 74r of the pair of central compression grooves 74, 74 is 1 / 4 (refer to Figure 4 ) is greater than the distance W2 between the front ends 71f, 71f of the pair of rear compression grooves 71, 71 (refer to Figure 4 ) is short. Thus, the occurrence of distortion in the rear region R can be further suppressed. The distances W3 and W2 described above are the shortest distances between the rear ends 74r, 74r and the shortest distances between the front ends 71f, 71f, and are the lengths along the lateral direction Y in this embodiment.

[0105] From the same viewpoint as above, the distance W3 between the rear ends 74r, 74r of the pair of central compression grooves 74, 74 (see Figure 4) relative to the distance W2 between the front ends 71f, 71f of the pair of rear compression grooves 71, 71 (refer to Figure 4 ) is preferably 45% to 85%, more preferably 55% to 75%.

[0106] From the viewpoint of more reliably achieving one or both of the above-mentioned effects, the central compressed groove 74 and the rear compressed groove 71 preferably have the following structure.

[0107] The distance W3 between the rear ends 74r, 74r of the pair of central compression grooves 74, 74 (see Figure 4 ) is preferably greater than 20 mm and less than 40 mm, and more preferably greater than 25 mm and less than 35 mm.

[0108] The distance L8 between the rear end 74r of the central compressed groove 74 and the front end 71f of the rear compressed groove 71 in the longitudinal direction X (see Figure 4 ) is preferably greater than or equal to 0.5 mm and less than or equal to 1.5 mm, and more preferably greater than or equal to 0.7 mm and less than or equal to 1.2 mm.

[0109] The length L2 of the rear compression groove 71 in the longitudinal direction X (see Figure 4 ) is preferably greater than 25 mm and less than 45 mm, and more preferably greater than 30 mm and less than 40 mm.

[0110] The distance W2 between the front ends 71f and 71f of the pair of rear compression grooves 71 and 72 (see Figure 4 ) is preferably greater than 35 mm and less than 55 mm, and more preferably greater than 40 mm and less than 50 mm.

[0111] The distance W4 between the rear ends 71r, 71r of the pair of rear compression grooves 71 (see Figure 4 ) is preferably greater than 5 mm and less than 15 mm, and more preferably greater than 7 mm and less than 12 mm.

[0112] The liquid diffusion suppression region 45 of the present embodiment extends in the longitudinal direction X in a state spanning the width enlarged portion 63 and the rear tapered portion 64 (see Figure 4 ).

[0113] The liquid diffusion suppression region 45 may be disposed entirely between the pair of rear compressed grooves 71 in the longitudinal direction X, or may be partially disposed between the pair of rear compressed grooves 71 in the longitudinal direction X. From the viewpoint of more reliably exerting one or both of the above-mentioned effects, the liquid diffusion suppression region 45 is preferably disposed overlapping with the width enlarged portion 63 in the longitudinal direction X, and is more preferably disposed at a position forward of the rear transverse center line CR that bisects the entire length of the rear region R in the longitudinal direction X.

[0114] From the viewpoint of achieving both absorption performance and liquid diffusion suppression effect, the length L3 of the portion of the liquid diffusion suppression region 45 overlapping with the pair of rear compressed grooves 71 in the longitudinal direction X (see Figure 4 ) is preferably greater than 10 mm and less than 40 mm, and more preferably greater than 20 mm and less than 30 mm.

[0115] When the liquid diffusion suppressing region 45 is the high basic weight portion described in (2) above, the sanitary napkin 1 preferably has the following structure.

[0116] From the viewpoint of utilizing the gluteal cleft and gluteal groove to fit the high-weight portion and further inhibiting the body fluid from spreading to the rear in the longitudinal direction X, the rear end 71r of the rear compression groove 71 is preferably located closer to the rear end R1 side of the sanitary napkin 1 than the rear end 45r of the liquid diffusion inhibition area 45 (see Figure 4 ).

[0117] In this case, the length L7 between the rear end 45r of the liquid diffusion suppression region 45 and the rear end 71r of the rear compressed groove 71 in the longitudinal direction X (see Figure 4 ) is preferably greater than 5 mm and less than 20 mm, more preferably greater than 10 mm and less than 15 mm.

[0118] From the viewpoint of further reducing the hardness of the compression groove when the high-weight portion is attached to the gluteal groove, it is preferred that the distance W4 between the rear ends 71r and 71r of the pair of rear compression grooves 71 is greater than 1. Figure 4 ) is larger than the width W1 of the high-weight portion, i.e., the liquid diffusion suppression region 45 (see Figure 4 )short.

[0119] In this case, the distance W4 between the rear ends 71r, 71r of the pair of rear compression grooves 71 (see Figure 4 ) relative to the width W1 of the liquid diffusion suppression region 45 (refer to Figure 4 ) is preferably 30% or more and 70% or less, more preferably 40% or more and 60% or less.

[0120] The liquid diffusion suppression area 45 of this embodiment has a generally quadrilateral shape with an arc-shaped rear end in a plan view. The plan view shape of the liquid diffusion suppression area 45 is not limited to this form, and may be a polygon such as a triangle, a quadrilateral, a rhombus, or a circle or an ellipse.

[0121] From the viewpoint of achieving both absorption performance and liquid diffusion suppression effect, the liquid diffusion suppression region 45 preferably has the following dimensions.

[0122] The length L1 of the liquid diffusion suppression region 45 in the longitudinal direction X (see Figure 4) is preferably greater than 30 mm and less than 50 mm, and more preferably greater than 35 mm and less than 45 mm.

[0123] The width W1 of the liquid diffusion suppression region 45 (see Figure 4 ) is preferably greater than 10 mm and less than 25 mm, and more preferably greater than 15 mm and less than 20 mm.

[0124] From the viewpoint of further reducing the contact area with the buttocks and thus further suppressing the discomfort caused by friction with the skin and stuffiness, the maximum width portion 67 is preferably located in the rear region R at a position forward of the rear transverse center line CR in the longitudinal direction X (see Figure 4 ). In this embodiment, the rear region R presents an appearance that is easy to move, and can provide an impression of a comfortable wearing feeling during movement.

[0125] An angle θ formed by an imaginary straight line La connecting the outer end of the maximum width portion 67 in the rear region R in the transverse direction Y and the rear end R1 of the sanitary napkin 1 and the center line CL (see Figure 4 ) is preferably 30° or more and 120° or less, more preferably 40° or more and 100° or less. With this structure, the contact area with the skin in the rear tapered portion 64 can be further reduced, further suppressing friction and stuffiness with the skin.

[0126] The center line CL is an imaginary straight line that bisects the sanitary napkin 1 in the transverse direction Y and extends in the longitudinal direction X.

[0127] Figure 7 Indicates the non-skin facing side of the sanitary napkin 1.

[0128] The sanitary napkin 1 of this embodiment has a pair of fixing parts 31 on the non-skin-opposite side of the back sheet 3 for fixing the sanitary napkin 1 to the wearer's clothing. As the fixing parts 31, any fixing parts that are used to fix such absorbent articles to clothing such as shorts can be used without particular limitation, for example, adhesives, pressure-sensitive adhesives, etc. can be used. The pair of fixing parts 31 extend in the longitudinal direction X, and in the area overlapping with the absorbent body 4, they are continuous from the front area F through the middle area M to the rear area R (see Figure 7 ) In addition, the pair of fixing portions 31 are formed symmetrically with respect to the center line CL.

[0129] Preferably, the non-skin-facing surface of the wing 6 is not provided with a fixing portion 31 for fixing the sanitary napkin 1 to the wearer's clothing. With this structure, the followability of the rear region R to the skin can be improved. In addition, it is not necessary to ensure an area for the fixing portion to be arranged on the wing, so that the contact area with the skin can be reduced compared with the existing absorbent articles provided with the fixing portion on the wing. As a result, the friction and stuffiness between the rear region R and the skin can be effectively suppressed.

[0130] Next, an example of a method for producing the absorbent core 40 of the present invention will be described.

[0131] When the liquid diffusion suppressing region 45 is the large thickness portion 45a described in (1) or the high basis weight portion described in (2), the absorbent core 40 can be manufactured by a conventional method using a known fiber deposition device having a rotating drum.

[0132] Typically, the fiber accumulation device has: a rotating drum having an accumulation recess formed on the outer circumferential surface; and a duct having a flow path inside for conveying a core forming material (absorbent fiber, absorbent polymer) to the accumulation recess, and is configured to cause the core forming material conveyed in the flow path by the air flow generated by suction from the inner side of the rotating drum to accumulate in the accumulation recess while the rotating drum is rotated around the rotating axis in the circumferential direction of the drum. The fiber accumulation formed in the accumulation recess by such fiber accumulation is an absorbent core 40. The specific configuration of the core forming material such as the above-mentioned liquid diffusion suppression area 45 or the middle large thickness portion 43 can be achieved by appropriately adjusting the shape of the accumulation recess in the manufacturing method using the above-mentioned fiber accumulation device.

[0133] In addition, the absorbent core 40 of the present embodiment can be manufactured, for example, by using two fiber accumulation devices, overlapping and integrating a fiber accumulation body manufactured by one fiber accumulation device and a fiber accumulation body manufactured by the other fiber accumulation device. In this manufacturing method, first, the core forming material is gathered in the gathering recess of the first fiber accumulation device to manufacture a first fiber accumulation body. In addition, the core forming material is gathered in the gathering recess of the second fiber accumulation device to manufacture a second fiber accumulation body. Next, these fiber accumulation bodies are overlapped and pressurized in the thickness direction, thereby integrating the fiber accumulation bodies to obtain a laminate. Alternatively, a suction mechanism such as a well-known vacuum conveyor can be used, and the fiber accumulation bodies are placed on the suction surface of the suction mechanism. Under the condition that the suction force of the suction surface works, the fiber accumulation bodies are overlapped and integrated to obtain a laminate. In these manufacturing methods, the absorbent core 40 of the above-mentioned embodiment can be obtained by overlapping and integrating the first fiber accumulation body corresponding to the peripheral area 41 and the second fiber accumulation body corresponding to the liquid diffusion inhibition area 45.

[0134] Moreover, when the liquid diffusion suppressing region 45 is the high-density part of the above-mentioned (3), it can be formed by compacting the site|part corresponding to the liquid diffusion suppressing region 45 in the absorbent core 40.

[0135] As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated based on embodiment of this invention, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It can change suitably.

[0136] For example, the liquid diffusion suppression area 45 of the above-mentioned embodiment, Figure 4As shown in FIG. 1 , the liquid diffusion suppression region 45 is disposed between a pair of rear compression grooves 71, 71 in the lateral direction Y. The liquid diffusion suppression region 45 does not overlap with the rear compression groove 71 when viewed from above. Alternatively, the liquid diffusion suppression region 45 may overlap with the rear compression groove 71 when viewed from above (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 8 ), or may be arranged in contact with the rear compressed groove 71. That is, at least a portion of the liquid diffusion suppression region 45 may be arranged so as to be sandwiched between a pair of rear compressed grooves 71, 71 in the lateral direction Y. In this case, the rear end 45r of the liquid diffusion suppression region 45 is preferably arranged in front of the rear end 71r of the rear compressed groove 71.

[0137] In the above-described embodiment, the rear ends 74r, 74r of the pair of central compressed grooves 74 are spaced apart in the lateral direction Y. However, the pair of central compressed grooves 74 may be continuous with the rear ends 74r, 74r to form a substantially U-shape.

[0138] In addition, the absorbent body 4 of the above-mentioned embodiment has a pair of rear compression grooves 71, but it is also possible to have two pairs of rear compression grooves 71 in the rear region R. In this case, the absorbent body 4 has a total of four compression grooves 71 in the rear region R that are symmetrical about the center line CL. The two pairs of rear compression grooves 71 may be spaced apart from each other and spaced apart in the longitudinal direction, or may partially overlap. In addition, the two pairs of rear compression grooves 71 are preferably arranged in a manner that at least a portion of each of them sandwiches the liquid diffusion suppression area 45 in the horizontal direction Y when viewed from above, but it is also possible to arrange it in a manner that at least a portion of only one pair of rear compression grooves sandwiches the liquid diffusion suppression area 45 in the horizontal direction Y when viewed from above.

[0139] From the viewpoint of further improving the liquid leakage suppression effect, two or more pairs of rear compressed grooves 71 may be provided in the absorbent body 4 depending on the length of the rear region R or the liquid diffusion suppression region 45 in the longitudinal direction X.

[0140] The absorbent articles of the present invention widely include articles used to absorb body fluids (urine, loose stools, menstrual blood, sweat, etc.) discharged from the human body. In addition to the above-mentioned sanitary napkins, they also include sanitary shorts, so-called unfolded disposable diapers with fixing belts, shorts-type disposable diapers, incontinence pads, etc.

[0141] Industrial Applicability

[0142] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an absorbent article that can achieve both high absorption performance and reduced discomfort when worn.

Claims

1. An absorbent article having a longitudinal direction corresponding to the front-back direction of a wearer and a transverse direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, and having a middle region arranged opposite to the excretion part of the wearer when worn, a front region arranged at a position forward of the middle region in the longitudinal direction, and a rear region arranged at a position rearward of the middle region in the longitudinal direction, wherein: The absorbent article comprises a front sheet located on the skin-opposing side, a back sheet located on the non-skin-opposing side, an absorbent body located between the two sheets, and wings extending outward from the outer edge of the absorbent body to form the outline of the absorbent article. The absorbent body has a liquid diffusion suppression region in the rear region that can suppress the diffusion of liquid in the planar direction compared with the surrounding portion, and at least a pair of rear compressed grooves spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction. In a top view, the distance between the pair of rear compression grooves gradually decreases as they go toward the longitudinal rear. The absorbent article has a rear narrowing portion whose lateral length is shorter than the portions located in front and behind it, and a minimum width portion of the rear narrowing portion where the lateral length is the smallest serves as a boundary between the middle region and the rear region. The rear region comprises: a width enlarged portion whose full width of the absorbent article gradually increases as it goes toward the longitudinal rear end; and a rear tapered portion located longitudinally rearward of the width enlarged portion whose full width of the absorbent article gradually decreases as it goes toward the longitudinal rear end, At least a portion of the liquid diffusion suppressing region is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the pair of rear compressed grooves in a plan view.

2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein: The liquid diffusion suppression area is any one or more of a thicker portion of the absorbent core having a thickness greater than that of the surrounding area, a higher grammage portion of the core forming material forming the absorbent core having a higher grammage than that of the surrounding area, and a higher density portion of the absorbent core having a density greater than that of the surrounding area.

3. The absorbent article according to claim 2, characterized in that: The liquid diffusion suppression area is at least the high grammage portion, The rear end of the rear compressed groove is located closer to the rear end of the absorbent article than the rear end of the liquid diffusion suppressing region. The distance between the rear ends of the pair of rear compressed grooves is shorter than the maximum width of the liquid diffusion suppressing region.

4. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The rear compressed grooves are arranged only in the rear region and are arranged symmetrically with respect to a center line that bisects the entire transverse length of the absorbent article. The rear compressed groove is formed by a plurality of small embossed portions arranged in a predetermined direction, and a distance between the small embossed portions is longer than a diameter of the small embossed portion.

5. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The absorbent article has a maximum width portion having the largest total width in the rear region at a boundary between the width-enlarged portion and the rear tapered portion. The maximum width portion is located forward in the longitudinal direction relative to a rear transverse center line that divides the entire longitudinal length of the rear region into two equal parts.

6. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The absorbent body has a pair of central compressed grooves extending from the middle region to the rear region, the central compressed grooves being spaced apart from the rear compressed grooves, The central compression groove reaches the liquid diffusion suppression area in the longitudinal direction, The liquid diffusion suppressing region is located between the rear ends of the pair of central compressed grooves, and the pair of the rear ends are located further inward in the lateral direction than the front ends of the pair of rear compressed grooves.

7. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: No fixing portion for fixing the absorbent article to clothing of a wearer is arranged on the non-skin facing surface of the wing portion.

8. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The rear compressed groove is a linear compressed groove extending in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction.

9. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The liquid diffusion suppressing region extends in the longitudinal direction while straddling the expanded width portion and the rear tapered portion.

10. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The absorbent article has a maximum width portion having the largest total width in the rear region at a boundary between the width-enlarged portion and the rear tapered portion. An angle formed by an imaginary straight line connecting the transverse outer end of the maximum width portion and the rear end of the absorbent article and an imaginary center line that bisects the absorbent article in the transverse direction and extends in the longitudinal direction is greater than or equal to 30° and less than or equal to 120°.

11. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that: The absorbent article has a front narrowing portion, the front narrowing portion is located closer to the front side in the longitudinal direction than the rear narrowing portion, and the length of the front narrowing portion in the lateral direction is shorter than the length of the portions located in front and behind the front narrowing portion in the lateral direction. The wing portion includes a pair of side wing portions located on both sides in the width direction of the absorbent article, and the side wing portion includes a region in the middle region sandwiched by the front narrowed portion and the rear narrowed portion in the longitudinal direction.

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