Absorbent article

Abstract

Provided is a three-piece diaper having a front-rear symmetrical shape in which legs and feet can easily pass through leg openings and the buttocks are not easily exposed when the diaper is worn. An absorbent article (1) is provided with an absorbent body (10), a waist-surrounding member (30) on one side, and a waist-surrounding member (40) on the other side, and has a pair of side joining sections (30s, 40s), the absorbent article (1) having a symmetrical shape in the front-rear direction in an expanded and stretched state, and the absorbent article (1) having a pair of side joining sections (30s, 40s) in the front-rear direction in the expanded and stretched state. When the distance between the other side end (30ed) of the one side waist member (30) and the one side end (40ed) of the other side waist member (40) in the front-rear direction is defined as a crotch distance (F), and the distance between the one side end (10es) of the absorbent body (10) and the other side end (30sl) of the side joining part (30s) in the left-right direction is defined as a waist distance (G), the crotch distance (F) is defined as a crotch distance (F), and the waist distance (G) is defined as a waist distance (G). The crotch distance (F) is longer than the waist distance (G) and shorter than twice the waist distance (G).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an absorbent article. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for absorbent articles such as underpants-type diapers, there is a known technique for preventing the front-to-back wearing error by providing a shape that is symmetrical in the front and back (dorsoventrally symmetrical). For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique related to an underpants-type diaper in which a stretchable leg sheet is continuously provided along the leg opening so that a comfortable wearing feeling can be obtained regardless of whether the diaper is worn facing forward or backward.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-287699 Summary of the invention

[0006] Problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] However, it is difficult to achieve both front-to-back symmetry and good wearability in a so-called three-piece pant-type diaper composed of three components, namely, an absorbent body, a ventral waist member, and a dorsal waist member, among absorbent articles. For example, in an unfolded three-piece pant-type diaper, there are the following problems: if the distance between the ventral waist member and the dorsal waist member in the front-to-back direction is narrow, the circumference of the leg opening becomes short, making it difficult for the wearer's legs and feet to pass through. On the other hand, if the distance between the ventral waist member and the dorsal waist member in the front-to-back direction is wide, there are problems such as the buttocks being easily exposed from the dorsal waist member when worn.

[0008] The present invention is made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and its object is to provide a three-piece diaper with a front-to-back symmetrical shape that makes it easy to pass the legs and feet through the leg openings and does not easily expose the buttocks when worn.

[0009] Solutions for solving problems

[0010] The main aspect of the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned purpose is an absorbent article, which has mutually intersecting front-to-back directions and left-to-right directions in the unfolded state, has an absorbent body, a waist member on one side of the absorbent body in the front-to-back direction, and another waist member on the other side of the absorbent body in the front-to-back direction, and has a pair of side joints for joining the two side portions of the waist member on one side and the waist member on the other side to each other in the left-to-right direction, characterized in that, in the unfolded and stretched state, the absorbent article has a symmetrical shape in the front-to-back direction, and when the distance between the other side end of the waist member on one side and the one side end of the waist member on the other side in the front-to-back direction is set as the crotch distance, and the distance between the one side end of the absorbent body in the left-to-right direction and the other side end of the side joint provided on one side of the waist member on one side or the other waist member is set as the waist distance, the crotch distance is longer than the waist distance and shorter than twice the waist distance.

[0011] Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0012] Effects of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a three-piece diaper having a front-to-back symmetrical shape in which it is easy to pass the legs and feet through the leg openings and the buttocks are not easily exposed when worn. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 It is a schematic perspective view of the diaper 1.

[0015] Figure 2 It is a plan view showing a state in which the diaper 1 in the unfolded and stretched state is viewed from the skin side in the thickness direction.

[0016] Figure 3 It is along Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view of line AA.

[0017] Figure 4A is a top view of the absorbent body 10, Figure 4B It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the absorbent body 10 .

[0018] Figure 5 The diagram is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between the one-side waist member 30 and the other-side waist member 40 with respect to the absorbent body 10 .

[0019] Fig. 6A and Figure 6B This is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the lengths of the inseam distance F and the waist distance G.

[0020] Figure 7This is a diagram showing a case where the one side waist member 30 and the other side waist member 40 of the diaper 1 are substantially trapezoidal in shape.

[0021] Figure 8 This is an enlarged view showing a part of one side waist member 30 and the absorbent body 10 in the diaper 1 in a developed and stretched state.

[0022] Figures 9A to 9C This is a diagram for explaining the joining of one side waist member 30 and the absorbent body 10 .

[0023] Description of Reference Numerals

[0024] 1. Diaper (absorbent article); 10. Absorbent body; 11. Absorbent core; 11b. Core wrap sheet; 11c. Narrowing portion; 12. Top sheet; 13. Bottom sheet; 13a. Liquid-impermeable sheet; 13b. Outer sheet; 14. Second sheet; 15. Leakage-proof wall; 16. Leakage-proof wall elastic member; 17. Leg elastic member; 20. Waist member; 30. One side waist member; 31. Skin side sheet; 32. Non-skin side sheet; 35. Waist elastic member; 35b. Lower end elastic member; 36. Skin top sheet; 38. Protrusion; 40. Other One side waist component; 41, skin side panel; 42, non-skin side panel; 45, waist elastic component; 46, skin surface panel; 48, protrusion; 50, side joint; 60, main body joint; 60c, central joint; 60s, both side joints; 61, first main body joint; 62, second main body joint; BH, waist opening; LH, leg opening; CL, center position (front and back direction); CC, center position (left and right direction); F, crotch distance; F1, distance (one side); F2, distance (the other side); G, waist distance. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] At least the following matters will become clear through the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0026] (Method 1)

[0027] An absorbent article, which in an unfolded state has mutually intersecting front-to-back directions and left-to-right directions, has an absorbent body, a waist member on one side of the absorbent body in the front-to-back direction, and another waist member on the other side of the absorbent body in the front-to-back direction, and has a pair of side joints for joining the two side portions of the waist member on one side and the waist member on the other side in the left-to-right direction to each other, characterized in that in an unfolded and stretched state, the absorbent article has a symmetrical shape in the front-to-back direction, and when the distance between the other side end of the waist member on one side and the one side end of the waist member on the other side in the front-to-back direction is set as the crotch distance, and the distance between one side end of the absorbent body in the left-to-right direction and the other side end of the side joint provided on one side of the waist member on one side or the other waist member is set as the waist distance, the crotch distance is longer than the waist distance and shorter than twice the waist distance.

[0028] According to the absorbent article of mode 1, by having a front-to-back symmetrical shape, there is no need to distinguish between the ventral side and the dorsal side, and the burden when wearing can be reduced. In addition, compared with the case where the crotch distance (F) is less than the waist distance (G) (F≤G), the circumference of the leg opening is not easy to become too short in the crotch part, thereby preventing the legs and feet of the wearer from being caught when passing through the leg opening. In addition, compared with the case where the crotch distance (F) is more than twice the waist distance (G) (F≥2G), the distance from the crotch to the lower end of the waist member is not easy to become too large, thereby preventing the wearer's buttocks from being exposed from the waist member on the back of the wearer.

[0029] (Method 2)

[0030] The absorbent article according to aspect 1, wherein in the unfolded and stretched state, the widths of the one side waist member and the other side waist member in the front-rear direction are shorter than the waist distance.

[0031] According to the absorbent article of embodiment 2, compared with the case where the width (h1) of the waist member on one side is greater than the waist distance (G) (h1 ≥ G), the distance required for the legs to pass from the waist opening to the leg opening when the absorbent article is worn is shorter. Therefore, the probability of the wearer's legs getting caught in the waist member is lowered, and the legs can be passed through smoothly, thereby improving wearability.

[0032] (Method 3)

[0033] An absorbent article according to method 1 or 2, wherein, in the unfolded and stretched state, in the front-to-back direction, the distance between one side end of the waist member on one side and one side end of the absorbent body is shorter than the distance between one side end of the absorbent body and the other side end of the waist member on one side.

[0034] According to the absorbent article of mode 3, since the part (b) of the waist structure that does not overlap with the absorbent body has lower rigidity than the overlapping part (c) and is easy to shrink to the left and right, it needs to be expanded more when the absorbent article is worn. As a result, the area of ​​the part (b) that is easy to shrink is relatively reduced compared with the opposite situation, so that the waist structure (waist opening) can be easily expanded to the left and right.

[0035] (Method 4)

[0036] An absorbent article according to any one of methods 1 to 3, wherein the absorbent body has an absorbent core, and in the unfolded and stretched state, in the front-to-back direction, the distance between one side end of the waist member on one side and the end of one side of the absorbent body is longer than the distance between one side end of the absorbent core and the other side end of the waist member on one side.

[0037] According to the absorbent article of mode 4, by minimizing the width of the portion (d) of the waist structure where the rigidity is increased due to overlapping with the absorbent core in the front-to-back direction, the waist structure can be easily deformed three-dimensionally along the projections and depressions of the wearer's body (waistline), thereby improving the fit.

[0038] (Method 5)

[0039] The absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 4, wherein the one side waistline member and the other side waistline member have a rectangular shape.

[0040] According to the absorbent article of embodiment 5, since the waist member is rectangular and no extra protrusions are provided, the wearer can easily move his legs and feet freely even when wearing the absorbent article. For example, when walking, the movement of the legs and feet forward and backward is not easily interfered by the protrusions.

[0041] (Method 6)

[0042] An absorbent article according to any one of methods 1 to 5, wherein a plurality of waist elastic members that are elastic in the left-right direction are arranged on the one side waist member and the other side waist member at intervals in the front-to-back direction, and in an unfolded and stretched state, in an area where the one side waist member and the absorbent body overlap in the front-to-back direction, the distance between the waist elastic member arranged at the position closest to the other side of the one side waist member and the other side end of the one side waist member is greater than the maximum value of the spacing between two adjacent waist elastic members.

[0043] According to the absorbent article of embodiment 6, it is easy to ensure a predetermined distance between the elastic member provided at the lower end portion (the position closest to the other side) of the waist member and the peripheral edge of the leg opening. Therefore, when the wearer's legs and feet are passed through the leg opening during wearing of the absorbent article, the wearer's toes and the like are not easily caught in the peripheral edge of the leg opening. This makes it easier to pass the legs and feet through the leg opening.

[0044] (Method 7)

[0045] An absorbent article according to any one of methods 1 to 6, wherein the absorbent body has an absorbent core, and the absorbent core has a narrowed portion with a narrowed width in the left-right direction between one side end and the other side end in the front-to-back direction, and when observed along the thickness direction in an unfolded and stretched state, the narrowed portion has portions that overlap with the one side waist member and the other side waist member, respectively.

[0046] According to the absorbent article of mode 7, the portion of the waist member overlapping the narrowed portion of the absorbent core is not easily affected by the rigidity of the absorbent core and is easily deformed. Therefore, the waist member is easily deformed and fits the wearer's body in accordance with the unevenness of the wearer's body. In addition, since the area near the peripheral edge of the leg opening is easily deformed, it is easy to make the legs and feet pass through the leg opening.

[0047] (Method 8)

[0048] An absorbent article according to any one of methods 1 to 7, wherein the absorbent body has an absorbent core, and the absorbent article has a main body joint portion, which uses an adhesive to respectively join the absorbent body to the one side waist member and the other side waist member, the main body joint portion has a central joint portion located in the central portion in the left-right direction and two side joint portions located on both sides of the central joint portion in the left-right direction, the unit area weight of the adhesive in the central joint portion is greater than the unit area weight of the adhesive in the two side joint portions, and in the left-right direction, the boundary between the central joint portion and the two side joint portions is located at a position further outward than the absorbent core.

[0049] According to the absorbent article of mode 8, since the boundary between the central joint and the two side joints does not overlap with the absorbent core with higher rigidity, the starting point of bending deformation is easily formed based on the rigidity difference (difference in weight per unit area) generated at the boundary, and the absorbent article is easy to deform and fit according to the contours of the body.

[0050] ===Implementation Method===

[0051] As an absorbent article of the present invention, a disposable diaper (hereinafter also referred to as "diaper 1") is taken as an example for explanation. Diaper 1 is an underpants-type absorbent article for adults who can wear it by themselves or who need care and can wear it with the help of a caregiver. In addition, the absorbent article of the present invention also includes underpants-type sanitary napkins, panty liners, and other absorbent articles.

[0052] <Structure of Diaper 1>

[0053] Figure 1 It is a schematic perspective view of the diaper 1. Figure 2 It is a plan view showing a state in which the diaper 1 in the unfolded and stretched state is viewed from the skin side in the thickness direction. Figure 3 It is along Figure 2 The "stretched state" of the diaper 1 refers to a state in which the diaper 1 as a whole (the product as a whole) is stretched to a state without wrinkles, and specifically refers to a state in which the dimensions of the components constituting the diaper 1 (such as the absorbent body 10 and waist component 20 described later) are consistent with or close to the dimensions of the components alone.

[0054] The diaper 1 is a disposable diaper having a pant-like shape in a natural state. Figure 1 In the panty-shaped state, the diaper 1 has mutually intersecting up-down directions, left-right directions, and front-back directions, and has a waist opening BH and a pair of leg openings LH, LH. The upper side in the up-down direction corresponds to the waist opening BH side, and the lower side corresponds to the crotch side. Here, the "natural state" is the state when the diaper 1 is placed for a predetermined time. For example, the waist member 20 of the diaper 1 is stretched to both outer sides in the left-right direction to be set to the "stretched state", and after the stretched state is maintained for 15 seconds, the diaper 1 is released from the stretch and placed on a flat surface such as a table. The state after 5 minutes of lying flat on such a flat surface is set as the natural state.

[0055] In addition, Figure 2 In the unfolded state, the diaper 1 has a front-to-back direction and a left-to-right direction that intersect each other. The front-to-back direction in the unfolded state is Figure 1 The directions along the up-down direction and the front-back direction in the underpants-shaped state are directions corresponding to the length direction of the absorbent body 10. The left-right direction in the unfolded state is corresponding to the left-right direction. Figure 1The left and right directions in the underwear-shaped state are the same direction. Figure 3 As shown, the direction in which the materials constituting the diaper 1 are stacked is referred to as the thickness direction. The side in contact with the wearer's skin in the thickness direction is referred to as the skin side, and the side opposite to the skin side is referred to as the non-skin side.

[0056] in addition, Figure 2 The diaper 1 in the unfolded and stretched state shown has a symmetrical shape in the front-to-back direction as described later, and there is no distinction between the front side (ventral side) and the rear side (dorsal side). Therefore, hereinafter, instead of referring to the "front side" and "rear side" in the front-to-back direction, they are formally referred to as "one side" and "the other side" in the front-to-back direction.

[0057] The diaper 1 has a liquid-absorbent main body 10 for absorbing excrement and a waist member 20 disposed on the non-skin side of the absorbent main body 10. The waist member 20 is an exterior member constituting the exterior of the diaper 1, and has a waist member 30 on one side corresponding to the body piece on one side in the front-back direction of the diaper 1 and a waist member 40 on the other side corresponding to the body piece on the other side in the front-back direction of the diaper 1. That is, the diaper 1 of the present embodiment is a so-called three-piece pant-type diaper as follows: the absorbent main body 10 as a first component is attached to the crotch of the wearer and is used to absorb excrement such as urine, the waist member 30 on one side covering the waist of the wearer on the front-back direction as a second component, and the waist member 40 on the other side covering the waist of the wearer on the other side in the front-back direction as a third component.

[0058] exist Figure 2 In the unfolded state, the absorbent body 10 is arranged between the waist member 30 on one side and the waist member 40 on the other side in parallel with a gap in the front-to-back direction, and each end 10ea, 10eb of the absorbent body 10 in the longitudinal direction (front-to-back direction) is respectively joined and fixed to the skin side of the waist member 30, 40 closest to it, and its appearance is roughly in the shape of the letter H when viewed from above. Then, from this state, the absorbent body 10 is folded in half with the central position CL in the front-to-back direction as the folding position. In addition, the central position CL is the central position in the front-to-back direction of the absorbent body 10, and is also the central position in the front-to-back direction of the diaper 1 as a whole.

[0059] In addition, in the folded state, the waist member 30 on one side and the waist member 40 on the other side are connected to each other at the side portions 30sw and 40sw on both sides in the left-right direction, thereby forming a pair of side joints 50, 50. That is, the waist member 30 on one side and the waist member 40 on the other side are formed into a ring shape by a pair of side joints 50, 50. In addition, the side joints 50 are formed by known joining means such as welding and bonding. Thus, Figure 1 The diaper 1 shown is in a pull-on type state and has a waist opening BH and a pair of leg openings LH, LH.

[0060] (Absorbent body 10)

[0061] Figure 4A is a top view of the absorbent body 10, Figure 4B 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an absorbent body 10. The absorbent body 10 includes an absorbent core 11 for absorbing excrement, a top sheet 12 disposed on the skin side of the absorbent core 11 in the thickness direction, and a back sheet 13 disposed on the non-skin side of the absorbent core 11. In addition, a second sheet 14 is provided between the top sheet 12 and the absorbent core 11 in the thickness direction. However, the second sheet 14 may not necessarily be provided.

[0062] The absorbent core 11 is a member for absorbing and retaining excretions such as urine, and is formed of, for example, liquid-absorbing fibers such as pulp fibers mixed with superabsorbent polymers (SAP). In addition, the outer peripheral surface of the absorbent core 11 may be covered with a liquid-permeable sheet member (core wrap sheet 11b) such as tissue paper or nonwoven fabric. The absorbent core 11 of this embodiment has a narrowed portion 11c in which the width is narrowed in the left-right direction between one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction, thereby having Figure 4A The narrowed portion 11c is a portion that is sandwiched between the legs of the wearer when the diaper 1 is worn, and the absorbent core 11 is easily attached to the crotch of the wearer by shortening the length of the portion in the left-right direction (narrowing the width).

[0063] The top sheet 12 is a liquid-permeable sheet, for example, a hydrophilic air-through nonwoven fabric, a spunbonded nonwoven fabric, etc. can be used. Figure 4B It is folded back toward the non-skin side in this way so as to wrap the absorbent core 11. In addition, the second sheet 14 is also composed of the same member as the top sheet.

[0064] The backsheet 13 is a two-layer structure of a liquid-impermeable sheet 13a and an outer sheet 13b arranged on the non-skin side of the liquid-impermeable sheet 13a. As the liquid-impermeable sheet 13a, a sheet member having liquid-impermeability and moisture-permeability can be used. For example, a microporous breathable resin film having a plurality of micropores in a sheet having a resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene as the main body can be used. In addition, the liquid-impermeable sheet 13a is preferably a sheet member having "leakage-proof property" that does not allow liquid to pass through but having "moisture-permeability" and "breathability" that allow water vapor and air to pass through. On the other hand, as the outer sheet 13b, a soft, hydrophobic nonwoven fabric can be used. For example, hot air nonwoven fabric, spunbonded nonwoven fabric, etc. can be used.

[0065] A pair of leak-proof walls 15 are provided on both sides of the absorbent body 10 in the left-right direction along the front-back direction (the length direction of the absorbent body 10). In this embodiment, the leak-proof walls 15 are formed by the outer sheet 13b described above. Specifically, in the left-right direction, a portion of the outer sheet 13b extends outward from both ends of the absorbent core 11 and extends like a Figure 4B The diaper 1 is bent toward the skin side at multiple locations to form a pair of leakage-proof wall portions 15. The leakage-proof wall elastic member 16 such as an elastic thread is attached to the skin-side end portion (top end portion) of the leakage-proof wall portion 15 in a state of being stretched in the front-back direction (the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 10). When the diaper 1 is worn, the leakage-proof wall portion 15 stands up toward the skin side of the wearer and fits against the crotch of the wearer based on the elasticity of the leakage-proof wall elastic member 16.

[0066] In addition, the leg elastic members 17 such as elastic threads are attached to both sides of the absorbent body 10 in the left-right direction in a state of being stretched in the front-back direction (the length direction of the absorbent body 10). When the diaper 1 is worn, the both sides of the absorbent body 10 contract due to the stretchability of the leg elastic members 17, so that it is easy to fit along the wearer's legs (groin area).

[0067] (One side waist member 30)

[0068] like Figure 3 As shown, the waist member 30 on one side has a skin side sheet 31 disposed at a position closest to the skin side in the thickness direction, a non-skin side sheet 32 ​​stacked adjacent to the non-skin side of the skin side sheet 31, and a waist elastic member 35 disposed between the skin side sheet 31 and the non-skin side sheet 32 ​​in the thickness direction. In addition, the waist member 30 on one side is basically a two-layer structure of the skin side sheet 31 and the non-skin side sheet 32, but may also have a structure of three or more layers in part, such as a skin top sheet 36 described later.

[0069] The skin side sheet 31 and the non-skin side sheet 32 ​​are Figure 2 The sheet member shown in the top view is rectangular, for example, formed of SMS nonwoven fabric, etc. The upper end portion (one end portion in the front-to-back direction) of the non-skin side sheet 32 ​​has a portion folded back from the non-skin side to the skin side and from one side to the other side in the front-to-back direction. By utilizing the folded back portion, the end edge of the skin side sheet 31 of the non-skin side sheet 32 ​​is not easy to directly contact the wearer's skin, and the discomfort and unpleasant feeling caused by the hard touch when the wearer wears the diaper 1 can be suppressed.

[0070] A plurality of waist elastic members 35 are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction between the skin side sheet 31 and the non-skin side sheet 32 ​​and are attached in a state of being stretched in the left-right direction (see Figure 2 and Figure 3) By utilizing the elasticity of the waist elastic member 35, the waist member 30 on one side is fitted to the waist of the wearer.

[0071] The waist elastic member 35 can be installed using adhesives such as hot melt adhesives. For example, the waist elastic member 35 can be installed by applying hot melt adhesives continuously or intermittently along the waist elastic member 35, stretching it at a predetermined stretching ratio and sandwiching it between the skin side sheet 31 and the non-skin side sheet 32.

[0072] In addition, one side waist member 30 may also have a skin surface sheet 36. Figure 3 As shown, the skin sheet 36 is a sheet member configured to cover the upper end (one end in the front-to-back direction) of the absorbent body 10 from the skin side, and has the function of a cover sheet. This prevents the upper edge of the absorbent body 10 from getting caught in the wearer's skin when the diaper 1 is worn. The skin sheet 36 is formed of a hydrophobic nonwoven fabric such as SMS nonwoven fabric, for example. In addition, the skin sheet 36 may not necessarily be provided.

[0073] (Other side waist member 40)

[0074] The other side waist member 40 has the same shape and structure as the one side waist member 30. That is, the other side waist member 40 has a skin side sheet 41 disposed at the position closest to the skin side in the thickness direction, a non-skin side sheet 42 stacked adjacent to the non-skin side of the skin side sheet 41, and a waist elastic member 45 provided between the skin side sheet 41 and the non-skin side sheet 42 in the thickness direction. In addition, it may also have a portion of the non-skin side sheet 42 folded back, a skin top sheet 46, etc., similar to the one side waist member 30 (see Figure 3 ). Since the structure of each component is the same as that of the waist component 30 on one side, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0075] <Regarding the Positional Relationship between the One-Side Waistline Member 30 and the Other-Side Waistline Member 40>

[0076] Figure 5 This is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship of the waist member 30 on one side and the waist member 40 on the other side with respect to the absorbent body 10. Figure 5 The diaper 1 is schematically shown in an unfolded and stretched state (see Figure 2 ) above view.

[0077] The diaper 1 of this embodiment has Figure 5In such an unfolded and stretched state, the waist member 30 on one side and the waist member 40 on the other side are in a symmetrical positional relationship in the front-to-back direction. That is, the waist member 30 on one side and the waist member 40 on the other side are arranged in a manner that the distances from the central position CL in the front-to-back direction are equal. Specifically, when the distance between the central position CL in the front-to-back direction and the other side end 30ed of the waist member 30 on one side is set to F1 and the distance between the central position CL and the one side end 40ed of the waist member 40 on the other side is set to F2, the distances F1 and F2 are equal (F1=F2). The total distance of F1 and F2 is hereinafter referred to as the crotch distance F (=F1+F2). The crotch distance F represents the distance between the diaper 1 in the underwear-type wearing state (refer to Figure 1 ) is the length of the portion of the leg opening LH that comes into contact with the wearer's crotch.

[0078] In addition, the one side waist member 30 and the other side waist member 40 are also symmetrically positioned in the left-right direction. That is, the center positions of the absorbent body 10, the one side waist member 30 and the other side waist member 40 in the left-right direction overlap with the center position CC of the diaper 1 in the left-right direction.

[0079] In addition, the shape and size of the waist member 30 on one side are the same as the shape and size of the waist member 40 on the other side. That is, the widths of the waist member 30 on one side and the waist member 40 on the other side in the front-back direction are equal. Specifically, in the front-back direction, the distance h1 between the one side end 30eu and the other side end 30ed of the waist member 30 on one side and the distance h2 between the one side end 40eu and the other side end 40ed of the waist member 40 on the other side are equal (h1=h2).

[0080] Similarly, the widths of the waist members 30 on one side and the waist members 40 on the other side in the left-right direction are also equal. Here, the widths of the waist members 30, 40 on the left-right direction are set to the widths of the portions that function as the waist members 20 when the diaper 1 is worn. That is, the interval in the left-right direction between a pair of side joints 50, 50 that join the waist members 30 on one side and the waist members 40 on the other side is set to the widths of the waist members 30, 40 on the left-right direction. Specifically, in the left-right direction, the distance W1 and the distance W2 are equal (W1=W2), the distance W1 is the distance between the other side end 30sl of the side joint 50 (30s) provided on one side of the waist member 30 on one side and the one side end 30sr of the side joint 50 (30s) provided on the other side, and the distance W2 is the distance between the other side end 40sl of the side joint 50 (40s) provided on one side of the waist member 40 on the other side and the one side end 40sr of the side joint 50 (40s) provided on the other side.

[0081] Thus, the diaper 1 of the present embodiment has a symmetrical shape in the front-back direction and the left-right direction in the unfolded and stretched state. By setting the shape to be symmetrical in the front-back direction (left-right symmetrical), there is no need to distinguish between the ventral side and the dorsal side, and the burden on the wearer of the diaper 1 and the person who assists the wearer in putting the diaper 1 on the wearer (such as a caregiver, etc.) can be reduced. In particular, even when the diaper needs to be changed at a place outside, in a small bathroom, or at night, the burden of the wearing action is small, so the wearer himself is not likely to lose the intention to change the diaper 1, and the quality of life (QOL) is easy to improve.

[0082] However, since the diaper 1 is a product manufactured in large quantities in a manufacturing plant, there may be deviations in the size and configuration of each component due to manufacturing errors. Therefore, even if there is a difference (deviation) in the corresponding size and configuration of the waist member 30 on one side and the waist member 40 on the other side, as long as the difference is within 10% of the original size, the two are considered equal. For example, in the diaper 1, the width h1 of the waist member 30 on one side and the width h2 of the waist member 40 on the other side in the front and back direction are different, resulting in a difference of Δh (=|h1-h2|). In this case, as long as Δh / h1×100(%) and Δh / h2×100(%) are both within 10%, h1 and h2 are treated as equal.

[0083] In addition, the distance F1 between the waist member 30 on one side and the central position CL in the front-back direction is different from the distance F2 between the waist member 40 on the other side and the central position CL in the front-back direction, resulting in a difference of ΔF (=|F1-F2|). In this case, as long as ΔF / F1×100(%) and ΔF / F2×100(%) are both within 10%, F1 and F2 are treated as equal.

[0084] In addition to the front-back symmetry, in the diaper 1, the ease of wearing and the fit are improved by appropriately adjusting the arrangement of the one-side waist member 30 and the other-side waist member 40.

[0085] In addition, in this specification, when the size and arrangement of the waist member 30 on one side are described, the same description can also be applied to the waist member 40 on the other side unless otherwise specified.

[0086] exist Figure 5In the left - right direction, the distance between one - end 10es of the absorbent main body 10 and the other - end 30sl (40sl) of the side - joining part 50 provided on one side of one waist - side member 30 (the other waist - side member 40) is defined as the waist - circumference distance G. At this time, the length of the periphery of the diaper 1 along the leg - opening LH is expressed as the waist - circumference distance G on one side in the front - back direction + the crotch distance F+ the waist - circumference distance G on the other side in the front - back direction (F + 2G). Moreover, in the diaper 1, the crotch distance F is longer than the waist - circumference distance G and shorter than twice the waist - circumference distance G (2G) (G < F < 2G).

[0087] Fig. 6A and Figure 6B is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the lengths of the crotch distance F and the waist - circumference distance G. Fig. 6A Shows the case where the crotch distance F is less than or equal to the waist - circumference distance G (F ≤ G). In the diaper 1, when F ≤ G, since the crotch distance F in the periphery of the leg - opening LH becomes shorter, as shown in the right - hand perspective view of Fig. 6A , the opening area of the leg - opening LH narrows. In such a case, when the wearer's legs and feet pass through the waist - opening BH to the leg - opening LH during the diaper - wearing operation, the legs and feet are likely to get stuck in the crotch part of the leg - opening LH. In response to this, by making the crotch distance F longer than the waist - circumference distance G (G < F), the periphery of the leg - opening LH in the crotch part is less likely to become too short compared to the opposite case, and it is easy to suppress the situation where the legs and feet get stuck when passing the wearer's legs and feet through the leg - opening LH.

[0088] Figure 6B Shows the case where the crotch distance F is 2 times or more the waist - circumference distance G (2G ≤ F). In the diaper 1, when 2G ≤ F, the opening area of the leg - opening LH can be made large enough. On the other hand, as shown in the right - hand perspective view of Figure 6B , the interval from the crotch to the lower end of the waist - side member 20 is likely to become too large. In such a case, when wearing the diaper 1, the wearer's waist may not be fully covered by the waist - side member 20. Especially on the back side of the wearer, the buttocks are likely to be exposed from the waist - side member 20, which may lead to a poor fit of the diaper 1 or cause discomfort to the wearer. In response to this, by making the crotch distance F shorter than 2 times the waist - circumference distance G (F < 2G), the interval from the crotch to the lower end of the waist - side member is less likely to become too large compared to the opposite case, and the situation where the wearer's buttocks are exposed from the waist - side member on the back side of the wearer is suppressed.

[0089] Therefore, in a three - piece diaper that is symmetric in the front - back direction and not easily worn backward or forward, it is easy to pass the wearer's legs and feet through the leg - opening LH during the wearing operation, and the wearer's buttocks are less likely to be exposed. Thus, the ease of wearing and the fit of the diaper 1 as a whole can be improved.

[0090] In addition, in the diaper 1, the width h1 (h2) in the front-back direction of one waist-side member 30 (the other waist-side member 40) is shorter than the waist distance G (h1 < G). As described above, when wearing the diaper 1, an action is performed in which the wearer's legs pass through from the upper side of the waist opening BH and extend outward from the waist opening LH. At this time, the longer the width h1 in the front-back direction of one waist-side member 30 is, the longer the distance for the wearer's legs to pass through is, and the higher the possibility that the legs get stuck in the waist-side members 20 (30, 40) midway. In response to this, if the width h1 of one waist-side member 30 is shorter than the waist distance G (h1 < G), the probability that the wearer's legs get stuck in the waist-side members 20 (30, 40) during the wearing action of the diaper 1 is lower than in the opposite case, and it is easier for the legs to pass through smoothly, thereby improving the wearability.

[0091] In addition, in Figure 5 in the front-back direction, the distance b between one end 30eu of one waist-side member 30 and one end 10eu of the absorbent main body 10 is shorter than the distance c between one end 10eu of the absorbent main body 10 and the other end 30ed of one waist-side member 30 (b < c). The stiffness of the portion of one waist-side member 30 in the front-back direction that does not overlap with the absorbent main body 10 (the portion represented by the distance b) is lower than the stiffness of the portion that overlaps with the absorbent main body 10 (the portion represented by the distance c). Therefore, in the diaper 1 in the natural state, based on the contraction force exerted by the waist elastic member 35, the portion of one waist-side member 30 represented by the distance b is likely to contract in the left-right direction. Therefore, when wearing the diaper 1, it is necessary to stretch the portion of one waist-side member 30 represented by the distance b in the left-right direction to expand the waist opening LH more.

[0092] Therefore, assuming that in the case where the distance b is greater than or equal to the distance c (c ≤ b), the area of the portion of one waist-side member 30 that is likely to contract (the portion represented by the distance b) becomes relatively larger, and a greater force is required to expand the waist opening LH. In response to this, in the diaper 1, since the distance b is shorter than the distance c (b < c), the area of the portion of one waist-side member 30 (the other waist-side member 40) that is likely to contract is relatively smaller than in the opposite case, and it is easier to expand the waist opening LH with a smaller force. Therefore, the wearability of the diaper 1 can be improved.

[0093] Moreover, more preferably, in Figure 5In the front-back direction, the distance b between one end 30eu of one side waist member 30 and one end 10eu of the absorbent main body 10 is longer than the distance d between one end 11eu of the absorbent core 11 and the other end 30ed of one side waist member 30 (d < b). The portion of one side waist member 30 of the diaper 1 that overlaps the absorbent core 11 in the front-back direction (the portion represented by the distance d) has a higher rigidity compared to other regions of one side waist member 30 and is a portion that is not easily deformed. That is, the larger the distance d, the larger the overlapping area of the absorbent core 11 and one side waist member 30 in the thickness direction, and the less easily one side waist member 30 deforms. Thus, in one side waist member 30, by making the distance d shorter than the distance b (d < b), the overlapping area with the absorbent core 11 is smaller compared to the opposite case, and one side waist member 30 can be made more easily deformable. Thereby, when wearing the diaper 1, one side waist member 30 (the other side waist member 40) can be easily deformed three-dimensionally along the unevenness of the wearer's body (waist circumference), and thus the fitting property can be improved.

[0094] In addition, in the diaper 1, one side waist member 30 (the other side waist member 40) has a rectangular shape. That is, the end edges (upper end edges) on one side and the other side (lower end edges) in the front-back direction of one side waist member 30 are respectively straight lines and are formed to be parallel to each other. Figure 7 It is a diagram showing a case where one side waist member 30 and the other side waist member 40 of the diaper 1 are in a substantially trapezoidal shape. In this Figure 7 one, one side waist member 30 (40) has a protruding portion 38 (48) that protrudes in a substantially trapezoidal shape toward the other side (the lower side in the underwear-like state) with respect to the other end (lower end) 50d of the side joint portion 50 in the front-back direction. In conventional diapers, by providing a portion corresponding to the protruding portion 48 at the lower end portion of the back-side waist member, there is a case where it is easy to cover the wearer's buttocks. However, in the present embodiment, when such a protruding portion 38 is provided on the other side (the lower side in the underwear-like state) in the front-back direction of one side waist member 30, when the wearer moves the legs while wearing the diaper 1, the protruding portion 38 is likely to interfere with the movement of the legs.

[0095] In view of this, in the diaper 1 of the present embodiment, one side waist member 30 (the other side waist member 40) has a rectangular shape (refer to Figure 2 etc.), and no Figure 7 such protruding portion 38 (48) is provided. Thus, even when the wearer is wearing the diaper 1, it is easy to move the legs freely. For example, problems such as the movement of the legs forward and backward during walking being interfered with by the protruding portion 38 (48) are less likely to occur.

[0096] Figure 8This is an enlarged view showing a part of the waist member 30 and the absorbent body 10 of the diaper 1 in the unfolded and stretched state. A plurality of waist elastic members 35 that expand and contract in the left-right direction are provided at intervals in the front-back direction on the waist member 30 on one side. In addition, the waist elastic member 35 disposed at the position closest to the other side in the front-back direction (the lowermost side in the panty-type state) among the plurality of waist elastic members 35, 35, ... is defined as a lower end elastic member 35b.

[0097] In addition, Figure 8 In the area where at least one side of the waist member 30 and the absorbent body 10 overlap in the front-to-back direction, the distance G35b between the other side end 30ed of the waist member 30 on one side and the lower end elastic member 35b is greater than the maximum value of the spacing (spacing) P35 of the waist elastic member 35 in the front-to-back direction (G35b>P35).

[0098] By arranging a plurality of waist elastic members 35, 35 ... at a predetermined pitch (P35) in the region where the absorbent body 10 and the waist member 30 on one side overlap in the front-back direction, it is possible to apply an even contraction force to the lower edge of the waist member 30 on one side (i.e., the portion along the periphery of the leg opening LH) in the left-right direction. As a result, the leg opening LH is easily fitted to the groin of the wearer when the diaper 1 is worn. On the other hand, by making the distance G35b between the lower end elastic member 35b and the other side end (lower end) 30ed in the front-back direction of the waist member 30 on one side greater than the maximum value of the pitch P35 of the waist elastic members 35, it is easy to ensure a predetermined distance between the periphery of the leg opening LH (the lower end 30ed of the waist member 30 on one side) and the lower end elastic member 35b. Therefore, when the wearer's legs and feet are passed through the leg opening LH during the wearing action of the diaper 1, the wearer's toes and the like are not easily caught in the periphery (lower end 30ed) of the leg opening LH. This makes it easier for the legs and feet to pass through the leg openings LH.

[0099] In addition, when viewed in the thickness direction, there is a portion where the narrowed portion 11c of the absorbent core 11 overlaps with the waist member 30 on one side (the waist member 40 on the other side). Figure 8 The area indicated by the oblique lines is not easily affected by the rigidity of the absorbent core 11. That is, compared with the case where the absorbent core 11 does not have the narrowed portion 11c, the overlapping area of ​​the absorbent core 11 and the waist member 30 on one side is smaller, and the deformation of the waist member 30 on one side is not easily hindered by the absorbent core 11 with higher rigidity. Therefore, when the diaper 1 is worn, the waist member 30 on one side can easily deform and fit the wearer's body in accordance with the unevenness of the wearer's body. In addition, due to Figure 8The area indicated by the oblique lines is an area close to the peripheral edge of the leg opening LH, so that one side of the waist member 30 is easily deformed in this area, thereby facilitating the movement of passing the legs and feet through the leg opening LH.

[0100] Figures 9A to 9C 1 is a diagram for explaining the joining of one side waist member 30 (other side waist member 40) and the absorbent body 10. As described above, in the diaper 1, one side waist member 30 (other side waist member 40) is joined to the non-skin side in the thickness direction of the absorbent body 10. The joining of the absorbent body 10 and the one side waist member 30 (40) is performed by means of a main body joining portion 60 formed by an adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive. In the present embodiment, the main body joining portion 60 has a first main body joining portion 61 formed on the skin side of the one side waist member 30 and a second main body joining portion 62 formed on the non-skin side of the absorbent body 10.

[0101] For example, in the manufacturing process of the diaper 1, a predetermined area (with a Fig.9A The first main body joint 61 is formed by applying adhesive to the area indicated by the oblique lines. Although detailed description is omitted, in the manufacturing process of the diaper 1, since one side waist member 30 is along Fig.9A Since the first main body joint portion 61 is manufactured while being conveyed in the left-right direction, the adhesive for forming the first main body joint portion 61 is also applied along the left-right direction.

[0102] In addition, in the manufacturing process of the diaper 1, by Fig. 9B The second main body joint 62 is formed by applying adhesive to the area indicated by the oblique lines. Fig. 9B While being transported in the front-to-back direction, the adhesive for forming the second main body joint portion 62 is also applied along the front-to-back direction.

[0103] In this state, Fig. 9C In this way, the waist member 30 on one side and the absorbent body 10 are joined in the thickness direction in such a way that the first body joint 61 and the second body joint 62 overlap. At this time, since the range (shape and size) of the adhesive applied in the first body joint 61 and the second body joint 62 are different, a portion with a larger unit area weight and a portion with a smaller unit area weight are formed in the body joint 60. For example, Fig. 9CIn the embodiment, the portion where the first main body joint portion 61 and the second main body joint portion 62 overlap in the central portion in the left-right direction of the main body joint portion 60 is set as the central joint portion 60c, and the portions located on both sides of the central joint portion 60c in the left-right direction are set as the side joint portions 60s. In this case, the unit area weight of the adhesive of the side joint portions 60s is equal to the unit area weight of the second main body joint portion 62 alone, and the unit area weight of the adhesive of the central joint portion 60c is equal to the total unit area weight of the first main body joint portion 61 and the second main body joint portion 62. In other words, the unit area weight of the central joint portion 60c is greater than the unit area weight of the side joint portions 60s.

[0104] In addition, at the boundary WB60 between the central joint 60c and the two side joints 60s, a difference in rigidity occurs due to the difference in the weight per unit area of ​​the adhesive, and thus it is easy to become the starting point of bending deformation of the waist member 30 on one side and the absorbent body 10. Fig. 9C As shown, the boundary WB60 is located outside the absorbent core 11 in the left-right direction. Since it does not overlap with the absorbent core 11 having high rigidity, the waist member 30 and the like are easily bent and deformed at the boundary WB60, and the diaper 1 is more likely to fit the wearer's body according to the unevenness.

[0105] ===Other Implementation Methods===

[0106] Although the embodiments of the present invention are described above, the above embodiments are used to facilitate the understanding of the present invention and are not used to limit the interpretation of the present invention. It is also self-evident that the present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist of the present invention, and the equivalents of these changes and improvements are included in the present invention.

Claims

1. An absorbent article having a front-to-rear direction and a left-to-right direction intersecting each other in an unfolded state, The invention comprises an absorbent body, a waist member on one side arranged on the front-rear direction of the absorbent body, and a waist member on the other side arranged on the front-rear direction of the absorbent body. The invention also comprises a pair of side joints for joining the two side portions of the one side waist member and the other side waist member in the left-right direction to each other, characterized in that: In the unfolded and extended state, The absorbent article has a symmetrical shape in the front-to-back direction. When the distance between the other side end of the one waist member and the one side end of the other waist member in the front-back direction is defined as the crotch distance, and the distance between the one side end of the absorbent body and the other side end of the side joint provided on one side of the one waist member or the other waist member in the left-right direction is defined as the waist distance, The inseam distance is longer than the waist distance and shorter than twice the waist distance.

2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein In the unfolded and stretched state, the widths of the one side waist member and the other side waist member in the front-rear direction are shorter than the waist distance.

3. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: In the unfolded and extended state, in the front-to-back direction, A distance between one side end of the one waist member and one side end of the absorbent body is shorter than a distance between one side end of the absorbent body and the other side end of the one waist member.

4. The absorbent article according to claim 3, wherein: The absorbent body has an absorbent core. In the unfolded and extended state, in the front-to-back direction, A distance between one side end of the one waist member and one side end of the absorbent body is longer than a distance between one side end of the absorbent core and the other side end of the one waist member.

5. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The one side waist member and the other side waist member are rectangular in shape.

6. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: A plurality of waist elastic members that are elastic in the left-right direction are provided at intervals in the front-rear direction on the one waist member and the other waist member, In the unfolded and extended state, In a region where the one waist member and the absorbent body overlap in the front-back direction, a distance between the waist elastic member disposed at the other side of the one waist member and the other side end of the one waist member is greater than a maximum distance between two adjacent waist elastic members.

7. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The absorbent body has an absorbent core. The absorbent core has a narrowed portion having a narrowed width in the left-right direction between one end and the other end in the front-back direction. In the unfolded and stretched state, when viewed along the thickness direction, The narrowed portion has portions overlapping the one side waist member and the other side waist member, respectively.

8. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The absorbent body has an absorbent core. The absorbent article has a main body joint portion, wherein the absorbent main body is joined to the one side waist member and the other side waist member respectively by an adhesive. The main body joint portion includes a central joint portion located in the center of the left-right direction and two side joint portions located on both sides of the central joint portion in the left-right direction. The unit area weight of the adhesive in the central joint portion is greater than the unit area weight of the adhesive in the two side joint portions. In the left-right direction, a boundary between the central joining portion and the both side joining portions is located outside the absorbent core.

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