Absorbent article

Abstract

An absorbent article according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided with a main body comprising: a surface sheet disposed on the skin surface side of a wearer; a back sheet disposed on a non-skin surface side, which is a side opposite to the skin surface side; and an absorbent body disposed between the front sheet and the back sheet, the body portion extending in the longitudinal direction between the back-side edge and the abdomen-side edge, the body portion having: a guide mark having a shape that imitates the buttocks and that guides a position in the longitudinal direction at which the buttocks of the wearer should be disposed; and a ventral center guide mark disposed between the guide mark and the ventral edge in the longitudinal direction and extending along a center line in a lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the guide mark and the ventral center guide mark being formed on the main body so as to be visible from the skin surface side, and the ventral center guide mark being visible from the skin surface side. The guide mark and the ventral center guide mark are not connected to each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to absorbent articles. Background Technology

[0002] A typical strap-type absorbent garment includes: a main body comprising a front panel, a back panel, and an absorbent core disposed between the front and back panels; and a pair of hook and loop fasteners extending outwards from the main body. When wearing such an absorbent garment, the wearer lies supine on the unfolded absorbent garment, passes the absorbent garment through the wearer's crotch, and pulls it upwards towards the abdomen, securing the pair of hook and loop fasteners to a locking portion disposed on the abdomen of the main body.

[0003] If the wearer lies down incorrectly when wearing the absorbent diaper, the two ends of the absorbent diaper in the vertical direction will not align, making it impossible to secure the hook and loop fasteners in the correct position. If the absorbent diaper is misaligned in the vertical direction, gaps can easily form around the wearer's legs and waist, leading to urinary leakage. To solve this problem, Patent Documents 1-3 disclose diapers with markings on the surface sheet for guiding the wearer's buttocks position.

[0004] Existing technical documents

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-230716

[0007] Patent Document 2: Korean Patent Publication No. 2017-0001847

[0008] Patent Document 3: International Publication No. 2024 / 005031 Summary of the Invention

[0009] The problem the invention aims to solve

[0010] When wearing the aforementioned absorbent garment, it is required that the wearer's center line be aligned with the center line of the absorbent garment in its lateral direction. When the center line of the absorbent garment is offset from the wearer's center line, it becomes difficult to properly position the hook and loop fasteners against the garment's locking mechanism. In this case, the absorbent garment must be re-putted after repositioning the wearer, increasing the caregiver's workload. This workload is particularly pronounced when caring for adults with disabilities who are being cared for.

[0011] Therefore, the purpose of this disclosure is to provide an absorbent article that can be easily worn in the correct position.

[0012] means for solving problems

[0013] An absorbent article of one embodiment has a main body comprising: a surface sheet disposed on the skin side of the wearer; a back sheet disposed on the non-skin side, which is the opposite side to the skin side; and an absorbent body disposed between the surface sheet and the back sheet. The main body extends longitudinally between a dorsal edge and a ventral edge. The main body has: a guide mark having a shape that mimics the shape of a buttock for guiding the wearer's buttocks in the longitudinal direction; and a ventral central guide mark disposed in the longitudinal direction between the guide mark and the ventral edge, extending along a centerline in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The guide mark and the ventral central guide mark are formed on the main body in a manner that allows them to be visually identified from the skin side, and when viewed from the skin side, the guide mark and the ventral central guide mark are not connected to each other.

[0014] In the absorbent article described above, since a guide mark mimicking the shape of a buttock is formed on the main body in a way that is visually recognizable from the skin side, the wearer's buttocks can be easily positioned correctly in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, since a central abdominal guide mark extending along the centerline in the transverse direction is formed on the main body, lateral deviation of the absorbent article can be suppressed by aligning the central abdominal guide mark with the wearer's midline when wearing the absorbent article. Therefore, with this absorbent article, it is easy to wear the absorbent article correctly. However, if the guide mark is connected to the central abdominal guide mark when viewed from the skin side, the guide mark does not appear to mimic the shape of a buttock, and sometimes the user cannot identify the correct position for the guide mark. To address this, in the absorbent article of this design, since the guide mark is not connected to the central abdominal guide mark, the user can easily identify the correct position for the guide mark.

[0015] In one embodiment, the two curved sections each have one end and the other end, and the guide mark includes a connecting portion formed by connecting one end of the two curved sections to each other. The connecting portion is positioned on the center line in the transverse direction and is separate from the central guide mark on the ventral side. In this embodiment, the user can easily identify the position where the guide mark should be placed on the buttocks.

[0016] In one embodiment, the central ventral guide mark can be a dashed line, a dotted line, or a dotted-dashed line. By using a dashed line, dotted line, or dotted-dashed line for the central ventral guide mark, the user can easily identify that the central ventral guide mark represents the center line of the absorbent article.

[0017] In one embodiment, the guide markers and the central ventral guide markers may be colored differently from the surface sheet. Coloring the guide markers and the central ventral guide markers differently from the surface sheet improves their visual recognizability.

[0018] In one design, the guide mark and the central ventral guide mark may have different hues, values, or saturations. In this design, the guide mark and the central ventral guide mark can be easily identified.

[0019] In one embodiment, the guide mark and the central ventral guide mark can be printed on the main body using ink, with the guide mark having more ink per unit area than the central ventral guide mark. By making the guide mark have a relatively larger ink per unit area, the guide mark appears darker, thus improving its visual recognizability.

[0020] In one design, the line width of the two curved portions of the guide mark can be thicker than the line width of the central guide mark on the ventral side. By making the line width of the two curved portions relatively thicker, the visual recognizability of the guide mark can be improved.

[0021] In one design, the other ends of the two curved sections may have rounded corners. Having rounded corners at the other ends of the two curved sections creates a softer, more inviting impression.

[0022] In one embodiment, the main body may also have a central dorsal guide mark, which is disposed longitudinally between the guide mark and the dorsal edge, extending linearly along the center line in the transverse direction. The central dorsal guide mark is formed on the main body in a manner that allows it to be visually identified from the skin side, and when viewed from the skin side, the guide mark and the central dorsal guide mark are not connected to each other. Because a central dorsal guide mark extending along the center line in the transverse direction is formed on the main body, by aligning the central dorsal guide mark with the wearer's center line when wearing the absorbent item, transverse displacement of the absorbent item can be suppressed. Furthermore, in the absorbent item of this embodiment, since the guide mark and the central dorsal guide mark are not connected, the user can easily identify the position where the guide mark should be placed on the buttocks.

[0023] In one embodiment, a lateral central guide mark extending along a center line in the lateral direction can be formed on the back panel in a manner that allows visual recognition from the non-skin-facing side. By forming a lateral central guide mark on the back panel, the lateral central guide mark can be aligned with the wearer's midline when the absorbent material passes between the wearer's feet and rests against the wearer's abdomen. As a result, lateral displacement of the absorbent material can be more effectively suppressed.

[0024] In one embodiment, the ventral central guide mark extends between the dorsal end disposed on the guide mark side and the ventral end disposed on the ventral edge side, with the ventral end positioned closer to the ventral edge side than the centerline in the longitudinal direction of the main body. Alternatively, the ventral end may be disposed on the ventral edge. In this embodiment, lateral displacement of the absorbent article can be effectively suppressed.

[0025] In one embodiment, the absorbent body may include: an absorbent core having water-absorbing properties; and a core sheath covering at least the non-skin-facing surface of the absorbent core. The absorbent core has a groove with a lower weight per unit area than other parts of the absorbent core. The groove is formed between a guide mark and a ventral edge, extending longitudinally along a centerline in the transverse direction, overlapping the ventral central guide mark when viewed from the skin-facing side. In this embodiment, the lower crotch portion of the main body can be bent into a V-shaped cross-section along the groove with relatively low weight per unit area, passing between the wearer's feet. This allows for easy wearing of the absorbent item.

[0026] In one embodiment, the absorbent core may have a plurality of grooves, the plurality of grooves extending longitudinally between the guide mark and the ventral edge, the guide mark being positioned on the extension line of the plurality of grooves when viewed from the skin side.

[0027] In one embodiment, the absorbent article may also include a pair of leg-circle telescopic members disposed along both sides of the main body in the transverse direction. When viewed from the skin side, the pair of leg-circle telescopic members partially overlap with the absorbent body, and a guide mark is disposed between the overlapping areas of the pair of leg-circle telescopic members and the absorbent body. By partially overlapping the pair of leg-circle telescopic members with the absorbent body, the rigidity of the absorbent body makes it less prone to wrinkling in the area where the guide mark is formed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the reduction in visual recognizability of the guide mark caused by wrinkles.

[0028] The effects of the invention

[0029] According to various schemes and embodiments of this disclosure, it is possible to provide an absorbent article that can be easily worn in the correct position. Attached Figure Description

[0030] Figure 1 This is a plan view of an absorbent article according to one embodiment, viewed from the skin side.

[0031] Figure 2 Observation from the non-skin side Figure 1 The diagram shows the absorbent material.

[0032] Figure 3 yes Figure 1A cross-sectional view of the absorbent article shown along line AA.

[0033] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the absorbent article along line BB.

[0034] Figure 5 This is a plan view of the absorbent core.

[0035] Figure 6 It is a magnified image showing the area surrounding the guide marker.

[0036] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of an absorbent item after it has been deformed.

[0037] Figure 8 This is a plan view of an absorbent article according to another embodiment, viewed from the skin side.

[0038] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of the absorbent article shown along the CC line.

[0039] Figure 10 yes Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of the absorbent article along line DD.

[0040] Figure 11 This is a plan view of an absorbent article according to another embodiment.

[0041] Figure 12 This is a plan view of an absorbent article according to another embodiment.

[0042] Figure 13 It is a plan view representing an absorbent article with a pair of folded inserts.

[0043] Figure 14 This is a plan view of an absorbent article according to another embodiment.

[0044] Figure 15 This is a plan view of an absorbent article according to another embodiment.

[0045] Figure 16 This is a diagram showing a variation of the guide mark. Detailed Implementation

[0046] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, in the following description, the same or equivalent elements will be labeled with the same reference numerals and will not be described repeatedly. The scale of the drawings may not necessarily match the scale of the description.

[0047] Figure 1 This is a plan view of the absorbent article 1 according to one embodiment, viewed from the skin side. Figure 2 This is a plan view of absorbent item 1 when viewed from the non-skin side. Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of the absorbent article 1 along line AA. Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of the absorbent article 1 along line BB. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The image shows an absorbent article 1 in its unfolded state, stretched out to the point where it does not form wrinkles. Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the sectional view shown, for ease of explanation, the components are shown separately in the thickness direction; however, in the actual product, the components are in contact in the thickness direction. Unless otherwise specified, the following description refers to the positional relationships in the unfolded state.

[0048] Figures 1-4 The absorbent item 1 shown is a disposable diaper with a strap. The absorbent item 1 can be a baby diaper or an adult diaper. In the following description, the person wearing the absorbent item 1 is referred to as the "wearer," and the person who puts the absorbent item 1 on the wearer is referred to as the "user." Typically, the wearer is a child or person being cared for, and the user is a parent or caregiver.

[0049] like Figure 1 As shown, the absorbent article 1 extends in a lateral direction X, which is arranged along the wearer's waistline, and in a longitudinal direction Y, which extends from the wearer's abdomen to their back. The lateral direction X corresponds to the width direction of the absorbent article 1, and the longitudinal direction Y corresponds to the length direction of the absorbent article 1. The lateral direction X and the longitudinal direction Y are perpendicular to each other. The thickness direction Z is perpendicular to the lateral direction X and the longitudinal direction Y, and includes the skin-facing side Z1 facing the wearer's skin when worn and the non-skin-facing side Z2 facing the wearer's skin when worn. The absorbent article 1 is worn to cover the wearer's abdomen, groin, and back.

[0050] The absorbent article 1 includes a main body 2. The main body 2 has a ventral end edge 2F located on one side in the longitudinal direction Y and a dorsal end edge 2R located on the other side in the longitudinal direction Y. When worn, the ventral end edge 2F is positioned on the ventral side along the wearer's waistline, and the dorsal end edge 2R is positioned on the dorsal side along the wearer's waistline. The distance in the longitudinal direction Y between the ventral end edge 2F and the dorsal end edge 2R is the total length (maximum length) of the main body 2. In the following description, the direction from the dorsal end edge 2R to the ventral end edge 2F is sometimes referred to as the ventral side, and the direction from the ventral end edge 2F to the dorsal end edge 2R is sometimes referred to as the dorsal side.

[0051] The main body 2 has a back region 51 located on the back side, a ventral region 53 located on the abdomen side, and a crotch region 52 located between the back region 51 and the ventral region 53 in the longitudinal direction Y. The back region 51 covers the wearer's back when worn, and the ventral region 53 covers the wearer's abdomen when worn. The back region 51, the crotch region 52, and the ventral region 53 are arranged sequentially from the back side.

[0052] A pair of back-side flaps 15 extending outward in the lateral direction X are provided on the back side region 51 of the main body 2. The pair of back-side flaps 15 are positioned along the wearer's waist when worn. Each pair of back-side flaps 15 has a side edge 15a in the lateral direction X. The maximum width W1 between the side edges 15a of the pair of back-side flaps 15 in the lateral direction X is greater than the width W2 of the crotch region 52 in the lateral direction X. The maximum width W1 between the side edges 15a of the pair of back-side flaps 15 is equivalent to the maximum width of the main body 2.

[0053] The side edges 15a of a pair of dorsal wing portions 15 have a widened portion 15c and a straight portion (partial of the side edge) 15s. The widened portion 15c bends outward in the lateral direction X as it moves toward the dorsal side, connecting the side edge of the crotch region 52 to the straight portion 15s. Alternatively, the widened portion 15c may extend in a straight line outward in the lateral direction X along a direction inclined relative to the longitudinal direction Y as it moves toward the dorsal side. The straight portion 15s extends in a straight line in the longitudinal direction Y between the widened portion 15c and the dorsal edge 2R. The width in the lateral direction X between the straight portions 15s corresponds to the maximum width W1 between the side edges 15a of the pair of dorsal wing portions 15.

[0054] In one embodiment, the absorbent article 1 includes a pair of inserts 16 respectively attached to a pair of back flap portions 15. Each pair of inserts 16 is made of nonwoven fabric and has a generally rectangular or generally trapezoidal planar shape. The pair of inserts 16 are attached to the pair of back flap portions 15 using hot melt adhesive (HMA), ultrasonic processing, embossing, or the like. When viewed from the skin-side Z1, the pair of inserts 16 extend outward from the straight portion 15s of the pair of back flap portions 15 in the lateral direction X. The pair of inserts 16 are positioned along the wearer's waistline when worn. The pair of inserts 16 may also be stretchable.

[0055] In one embodiment, the absorbent article 1 has one or more pairs of hook and loop fasteners. Figure 1In the illustrated embodiment, the absorbent article 1 includes a pair of first hook and loop fasteners 90A and a pair of second hook and loop fasteners 90B. The pair of first hook and loop fasteners 90A and the pair of second hook and loop fasteners 90B are respectively disposed on a pair of inserts 16. The pair of first hook and loop fasteners 90A are disposed on the back side relative to the pair of second hook and loop fasteners 90B. The pair of first hook and loop fasteners 90A and the pair of second hook and loop fasteners 90B are disposed on the back side relative to the guide mark 60 described later.

[0056] A pair of first hook and loop fasteners 90A and a pair of second hook and loop fasteners 90B extend outward in the lateral direction X from the outer edges of a pair of inserts 16. Each pair of first hook and loop fasteners 90A and a pair of second hook and loop fasteners 90B has a substrate sheet 91 that engages with the insert 16 and an engagement portion 92 provided on the substrate sheet 91. The engagement portion 92 is, for example, a mechanical hook and loop fastener, configured to engage with the back panel 20 of the main body 2 from the non-skin side Z2 side.

[0057] A pair of ventral wing portions 17 extending outward in the lateral direction X are provided in the ventral region 53 of the main body 2. The pair of ventral wing portions 17 are arranged along the wearer's waist when worn. Each pair of ventral wing portions 17 has a side edge 17a in the lateral direction X. The maximum width W3 between the side edges 17a of the pair of ventral wing portions 17 in the lateral direction X is greater than the width W2 of the crotch region 52 in the lateral direction X. As described above, the main body 2 has a shape that narrows between the pair of dorsal wing portions 15 and the pair of ventral wing portions 17.

[0058] The side edges 17a of a pair of ventral wing portions 17 have a widened portion 17c and a straight portion 17s. The widened portion 17c extends outward in the lateral direction X toward the ventral side, connecting the side edge of the crotch region 52 with the straight portion 17s. The straight portion 17s extends in a straight line along the longitudinal direction Y between the widened portion 17c and the ventral edge 2F. The width of the straight portions 17s in the lateral direction X is equivalent to the maximum width W3 between the side edges 17a of the pair of ventral wing portions 17. The length of the straight portion 15s of a pair of dorsal wing portions 15 along the longitudinal direction Y can be longer than the length of the straight portion 17s of a pair of ventral wing portions 17 along the longitudinal direction Y.

[0059] like Figures 1-4 As shown, the main body 2 includes a surface sheet 10, a back sheet 20, and an absorbent body 30. The surface sheet 10 forms a surface in the main body 2 that adheres to the wearer and is positioned on the skin-side Z1. The surface sheet 10 is, for example, made of a liquid-permeable nonwoven fabric that allows the wearer's urine to pass through towards the absorbent body 30. Examples of nonwoven fabrics constituting the surface sheet 10 include hot-air nonwoven fabrics, spunbond nonwoven fabrics, or dot-bonded nonwoven fabrics.

[0060] The back panel 20 forms the outer side of the main body 2 during wear, positioned on the non-skin side Z2. The back panel 20 includes a liquid-impermeable back film 21 and a back nonwoven fabric 22 located further along the non-skin side Z2 than the back film 21. It can be as follows... Figure 3 As shown, the width of the back film 21 in the lateral direction X is shorter than the width of the back nonwoven fabric 22 in the lateral direction X, and the back nonwoven fabric 22 extends to both sides of the back film 21 in the lateral direction X. The back nonwoven fabric 22 constitutes the outermost layer of the absorbent article 1.

[0061] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the absorbent 30 includes an absorbent core 31 comprising pulp and a superabsorbent polymer (SAP), and a core-cladding layer 32 covering the surface of the absorbent core 31. The pulp of the absorbent core 31 may be, for example, chemical pulp, cellulose fibers, rayon, cellulose acetate, or other cellulose fibers. The SAP may be, for example, a starch-based, acrylic-based, or amino acid-based granular or fibrous polymer. The core-cladding layer 32 covers the upper surface of the absorbent core 31 opposite to the surface sheet 10 and the lower surface of the absorbent core 31 opposite to the back sheet 20. The absorbent core 31 is arranged across the back region 51, the crotch region 52, and the ventral region 53.

[0062] Figure 5 This is a planar view of the absorbent core 31 as observed from the skin's side (Z1). (See diagram below.) Figure 5 As shown, in one embodiment, the absorbent core 31 includes a back portion 33 disposed in the back region 51, a crotch portion 34 disposed in the crotch region 52, and a ventral portion 35 disposed in the ventral region 53. The back portion 33 is disposed at a position closer to the back side than the center line CL1 in the longitudinal direction Y of the main body portion 2, and the ventral portion 35 is disposed at a position closer to the ventral side than the center line CL1 in the longitudinal direction Y of the main body portion 2. The crotch portion 34 includes a first portion 34a and a second portion 34b. The first portion 34a is disposed between the back portion 33 and the second portion 34b. The second portion 34b is disposed between the first portion 34a and the ventral portion 35.

[0063] The width w1 of the dorsal portion 33 in the lateral direction X is greater than the width w3 of the first portion 34a in the lateral direction X. The width w2 of the ventral portion 35 in the lateral direction X is greater than the width w3 of the first portion 34a in the lateral direction X. The width w3 of the first portion 34a in the lateral direction X is greater than the width w4 of the second portion 34b in the lateral direction X. That is, the absorbent core 31 is locally narrowed in the lateral direction X at the crotch portion 34. The width of the absorbent core 31 changes in stages in the longitudinal direction Y. That is, the width of the absorbent core 31 narrows as it approaches the first portion 34a in the region between the dorsal portion 33 and the first portion 34a, and narrows as it approaches the second portion 34b in the region between the first portion 34a and the second portion 34b. In addition, the width of the absorbent core 31 widens as it approaches the ventral portion 35 in the region between the second portion 34b and the ventral portion 35. The width w1 of the dorsal side portion 33 or the width w2 of the ventral side portion 35 is the maximum width of the absorbent core 31.

[0064] Furthermore, the width w5 of the dorsal end edge 31R of the absorbent core 31 in the transverse direction X is smaller than the width w1 of the dorsal portion 33. The width w6 of the ventral end edge 31F of the absorbent core 31 in the transverse direction X is smaller than the width w2 of the ventral portion 35. The width of the absorbent core 31 narrows as it approaches the dorsal end edge 31R in the region between the dorsal portion 33 and the dorsal end edge 31R, and narrows as it approaches the ventral end edge 31F in the region between the ventral portion 35 and the ventral end edge 31F.

[0065] Furthermore, the width of the absorbent core 31 can also vary continuously in the longitudinal direction Y. For example, the absorbent core 31 can also have a gourd-shaped planar shape that is widest in the dorsal region 51 and ventral region 53 and narrows in the crotch region 52.

[0066] like Figure 5 As shown, one or more grooves 38 may also be formed in the absorbent core 31. Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiment, three grooves 38 are formed in the absorbent core 31. The three grooves 38 extend in a straight line parallel to each other along the longitudinal direction Y. Alternatively, the three grooves 38 may be curved relative to the longitudinal direction Y. The weight per unit area of ​​the grooves 38 is set to be lower than the weight per unit area of ​​the other portions of the absorbent core 31. Therefore, the density of pulp fibers and SAP present in the grooves 38 is lower than the density of pulp fibers and superabsorbent polymers present in the other portions of the absorbent core 31. In one embodiment, the grooves 38 may also be slits with zero weight per unit area.

[0067] The central groove 38 of the three grooves 38 extends in the longitudinal direction Y along the center line CL2 in the transverse direction X of the main body 2. That is, when viewed from the skin side Z1, this central groove 38 is positioned on the center line CL2 of the main body 2. The two outer grooves 38 of the three grooves 38 are positioned on either side of the center line CL2 in the transverse direction X of the main body 2. Figure 1 In the absorbent article 1 shown, three grooves 38 are arranged on the ventral side relative to the guide mark 60 described later.

[0068] Because the weight per unit area of ​​the groove 38 is lower than that of other parts of the absorbent core 31, the stiffness of the groove 38 is also lower than that of other parts of the absorbent core 31. Therefore, when the absorbent core 31 comes into contact with the wearer's feet while the absorbent article 1 is being worn, the main body 2 can easily be bent into a V-shaped cross-section starting from the groove 38 of the absorbent core 31. Thus, the absorbent article 1 can be easily passed between the wearer's feet.

[0069] In one embodiment, the absorber 30 may also include a low weight-to-weight area region 30l and a high weight-to-weight area region 30h. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the low weight-per-unit area region 30l and the high weight-per-unit area region 30h are positioned offset from each other in the longitudinal direction Y. Specifically, the high weight-per-unit area region 30h is positioned on the centerline CL1 in the longitudinal direction Y of the absorber 30, while the low weight-per-unit area region 30l is positioned on the ventral and dorsal sides relative to the high weight-per-unit area region 30h.

[0070] The absorber 30 has a greater area weight per unit area in the high area weight region 30h than in the low area weight region 30l. For example, the amount of SAP per unit area in the high area weight region 30h is greater than the amount of SAP per unit area in the low area weight region 30l. More specifically, the high area weight region 30h and the low area weight region 30l may each have one or more absorber layers 36 containing SAP, with the number of absorber layers 36 in the high area weight region 30h being greater than the number of absorber layers 36 in the low area weight region 30l. Figure 4 In the illustrated embodiment, the high unit area weight region 30h has two absorbent layers 36, while the low unit area weight region 30l has one absorbent layer 36. Therefore, the water retention per unit area of ​​the high unit area weight region 30h is greater than that of the low unit area weight region 30l. Furthermore, the unit area weight in the lateral direction X of the high unit area weight region 30h can be substantially uniform.

[0071] In one embodiment, the absorbent article 1 includes a pair of upright leak-proof pleats 80 disposed on the skin-side of the surface sheet 10. The leak-proof pleats 80 are upright on the outer side of the absorbent body 30 in the transverse direction X, inhibiting leakage of urine excreted into the absorbent body 30 in the transverse direction X. In one embodiment, each pair of leak-proof pleats 80 includes a side panel 12 and a telescopic member 13. The pair of side panels 12 are formed, for example, from a nonwoven fabric with water-repellent or hydrophobic properties. The pair of side panels 12 are disposed separately from each other in the transverse direction X, extending across the entire area in the longitudinal direction Y of the main body 2 between the ventral end edge 2F and the dorsal end edge 2R. Figure 3 As shown, the outer edge of the side piece 12 in the transverse direction X coincides with the outer edge of the back nonwoven fabric 22 in the transverse direction X, and together with one outer edge of the back nonwoven fabric 22, forms the side edge of the main body 2. Furthermore, as... Figure 3 As shown, the inner portion of each side panel 12 in the lateral direction X is folded back towards the non-skin side Z2. A telescopic member 13 extending in the longitudinal direction Y is disposed between the folded side panels 12. The telescopic member 13 is, for example, an elastic band that gives the main body 2 elasticity in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0072] Each of the pair of leak-proof pleats 80 includes: a standing portion 81, which stands upright by the contraction of the telescopic member 13; a lateral fixing portion 82, which serves as the standing fulcrum in the lateral direction X of the standing portion 81; and a longitudinal fixing portion 83, which serves as the standing fulcrum in the longitudinal direction Y of the standing portion 81. The standing portion 81, the lateral fixing portion 82, and the longitudinal fixing portion 83 are formed by side pieces 12. The standing portion 81 is the part of the side piece 12 that is not engaged with the surface piece 10, and the telescopic member 13 in an extended state is disposed in the standing portion 81.

[0073] The lateral fixing part 82 is the part of the side piece 12 that is fixed to the surface piece 10 using a hot melt adhesive or the like, and becomes the standing support point in the lateral direction X of the standing part 81. The lateral fixing part 82 is formed in the entire area of ​​the longitudinal direction Y of the main body part 2 at a position that is outside the lateral direction X of the standing part 81.

[0074] The longitudinal fixing portion 83 is the part of the side piece 12 that is joined to the surface piece 10 using a hot-melt adhesive or the like, and becomes the erection fulcrum in the longitudinal direction Y of the erected portion 81. In one embodiment, the longitudinal fixing portion 83 includes a ventral fixing portion 83F and a dorsal fixing portion 83R. The ventral fixing portion 83F is formed at a position inside the transverse direction X of the transverse fixing portion 82 and at a position ventral to the center line CL1 in the longitudinal direction Y of the main body portion 2. The ventral fixing portion 83F becomes the erection fulcrum on the ventral side of the erected portion 81. The dorsal fixing portion 83R is formed at a position inside the transverse direction X of the transverse fixing portion 82 and at a position dorsal to the center line CL1 in the longitudinal direction Y of the main body portion 2. The dorsal fixing portion 83R becomes the erection fulcrum on the dorsal side of the erected portion 81.

[0075] The upright portion 81 is positioned inside the transverse fixing portion 82 in the transverse direction X between the ventral fixing portion 83F and the dorsal fixing portion 83R. A telescopic member 13 extending in the longitudinal direction Y is connected to the upright portion 81. By contracting the telescopic member 13 in the longitudinal direction Y, the main body portion 2 deforms in a closed direction. Due to this deformation, the upright portion 81 stands upright between the ventral fixing portion 83F and the dorsal fixing portion 83R, starting from the transverse fixing portion 82. Thus, the upright portion 81 prevents urine leakage by standing upright at the position where the absorbent body 30 is clamped in the transverse direction X.

[0076] like Figure 1 As shown, the absorbent article 1 may also include one or more leg-lengthening members 40 capable of stretching and contracting along the longitudinal direction Y. The leg-lengthening members 40 include a pair of leg-lengthening members 40 disposed on the outer side of the stretching member 13 in the transverse direction X. The back end of the leg-lengthening member 40 is disposed in the back region 51, and the ventral end of the leg-lengthening member 40 is disposed in the ventral region 53. The leg-lengthening members 40 are made of, for example, a stretchable material such as rubber or spandex capable of contracting along the length direction, and are disposed along the side edge of the main body 2 between the surface sheet 10 and the back sheet 20 of the main body 2. When the absorbent article 1 is worn, the leg-lengthening members 40 contract along the longitudinal direction Y, thereby fitting the side edge of the main body 2 against the wearer's leg circumference. That is, the leg-lengthening members 40 form leg pleats that stretch and contract along the wearer's leg circumference. Furthermore, the absorbent article 1 may also include multiple leg-lengthening members 40. Figure 1 As shown, multiple leg-circle telescopic components 40 are arranged in the lateral direction X on the outside of the telescopic component 13 and extend parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0077] In one embodiment, when viewed from the skin side Z1, the leg-lengthening members 40 partially overlap with the absorbent body 30. Specifically, when viewed from the skin side Z1, a pair of leg-lengthening members 40 overlap with the dorsal portion 33 of the absorbent body 30.

[0078] The absorbent article 1 is stored in the packaging body in a state where it is folded into three folds along the first fold line FL1 and the second fold line FL2 in the longitudinal direction Y. Therefore, when the folded absorbent article 1 is removed from the packaging body, creases are formed on the main body 2 along the first fold line FL1 and the second fold line FL2. A crease is a strip-shaped wrinkle formed along the first fold line FL1 and the second fold line FL2. In particular, at least a portion of the first fold line FL1 and the second fold line FL2 are formed by folding the main body 2 in a valley-fold manner when viewed from the skin side Z1. For example, the first fold line FL1 and the second fold line FL2 are formed at a position that divides the absorbent article 1 into three equal parts in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0079] The first fold line FL1 is formed between the center line CL1 in the longitudinal direction Y of the main body 2 and the dorsal end edge 2R, extending in the transverse direction X such that it traverses the absorbent core 30. The second fold line FL2 is formed between the center line CL1 in the longitudinal direction Y of the main body 2 and the ventral end edge 2F, extending in the transverse direction X such that it traverses the absorbent core 30. In particular, when viewed from the skin side Z1, the first fold line FL1 traverses the dorsal portion 33 of the absorbent core 31. On the other hand, when viewed from the skin side Z1, the second fold line FL2 traverses the area between the dorsal portion 33 and the ventral portion 35 of the absorbent core 31. Therefore, the width of the absorbent core 30 along the first fold line FL1 is larger than the width of the absorbent core 30 along the second fold line FL2. On the first fold line FL1, sometimes due to the crease, the pulp and polymer absorbent in the absorbent core 31 are biased, thereby locally reducing the weight per unit area of ​​the absorbent core 31. To address this, by making the width of the absorbent core 31 relatively large on the first fold line FL1, the absorbency of the absorbent core 31 on the first fold line FL1 can be ensured.

[0080] The first fold line FL1 is positioned on the ventral side relative to a pair of first hook and loop fasteners 90A and a pair of second hook and loop fasteners 90B. The second fold line FL2 is positioned in the longitudinal direction Y between a pair of dorsal wing portions 15 and a pair of ventral wing portions 17. The first fold line FL1 and the second fold line FL2 traverse the telescopic members 13 of a pair of leak-proof pleats 80 and the leg circumference telescopic members 40.

[0081] In one embodiment, a pair of third fold lines FL3 may also be formed on the main body 2. The pair of third fold lines FL3 are arranged separately from each other across the center line CL2 in the transverse direction X of the main body 2 and extend in the longitudinal direction Y. The pair of third fold lines FL3 are creases formed by folding the main body 2 in a valley fold when viewed from the skin side Z1. The pair of third fold lines FL3 are arranged in the transverse direction X outside the guide mark 60 described later.

[0082] Alternatively, when viewed from the skin side Z1, the portion of the first fold line FL1 located between the pair of third fold lines FL3 is a valley fold, and the portion of the first fold line FL1 located outside the pair of third fold lines FL3 in the transverse direction X is a mountain fold. Similarly, when viewed from the skin side Z1, the portion of the second fold line FL2 located between the pair of third fold lines FL3 is a valley fold, and the portion of the second fold line FL2 located outside the pair of third fold lines FL3 in the transverse direction X is a mountain fold. That is, the first fold line FL1 and the second fold line FL2 each include a valley fold portion located between the pair of third fold lines FL3 in the transverse direction X and a mountain fold portion located outside the pair of third fold lines FL3 in the transverse direction X. The first fold line FL1, the second fold line FL2, and the pair of third fold lines FL3 described above are formed by folding the pair of dorsal wing portions 15 and the pair of ventral wing portions 17 of the main body 2 inward along the pair of third fold lines FL3, and then folding the main body 2 three times in the longitudinal direction Y along the first fold line FL1 and the second fold line FL2.

[0083] When viewed from the skin side Z1, the region R between the first fold line FL1 and the second fold line FL2 of the main body 2 partially overlaps with the high weight-per-unit area region 30h. The regions of the main body 2 that are more dorsal than the first fold line FL1 and the regions of the main body 2 that are more ventral than the second fold line FL2 partially overlap with the low weight-per-unit area region 30l. In other words, the portion of the absorber 30 that overlaps with region R is partially or entirely the high weight-per-unit area region 30h, and the portion of the absorber 30 that does not overlap with region R is partially or entirely the low weight-per-unit area region 30l. As described above, the region R between the first fold line FL1 and the second fold line FL2 of the main body 2 overlaps with the high weight-per-unit area region 30h when viewed from the skin side Z1; therefore, the stiffness of this region R is higher than that of the region between the first fold line FL1 and the dorsal edge 2R of the main body 2 and the region between the second fold line FL2 and the ventral edge 2F of the main body 2.

[0084] like Figure 1 As shown, a guide mark 60 is formed on the main body 2 in a manner that allows visual recognition from the skin side Z1. This guide mark 60 is used to guide the positioning of a portion of the wearer's body in the longitudinal direction Y. In one embodiment, the guide mark 60 guides the positioning of the wearer's buttocks in the longitudinal direction Y. For example, as... Figure 1 As shown, in order to help users identify the position where the wearer's hips should be positioned, the guide marker 60 has a roughly W-shaped shape that mimics the hips.

[0085] The guide mark 60 is disposed on the skin-side Z1 relative to the absorber 30. For example, the guide mark 60 is printed on the surface sheet 10 in a manner that allows it to be visually recognized from the skin-side Z1. The guide mark 60 can be colored a different color than the surface sheet 10. For example, the guide mark 60 can be printed in blue or green. More specifically, for example, the guide mark 60 can be printed in a color within the range of 5 GY to 10 RP on the Munsell color wheel. The guide mark 60 can be colored, for example, using ink, colored hot melt adhesive, pressure-sensitive paper, or temperature-sensitive paper.

[0086] Figure 6 This is a magnified image showing the area surrounding the guide mark 60. For example... Figure 6 As shown, the guide mark 60 includes two curved portions 61 that curve smoothly toward the ventral side. Each of the two curved portions 61 has one end 62 and the other end 63, extending in a generally semi-circular arc between the two ends 62 and 63. The ends 62 of the two curved portions 61 are connected to each other at a connecting portion 65. The connecting portion 65 is disposed on the centerline CL2 in the transverse direction X of the main body portion 2. The other ends 63 of the two curved portions 61 are located outside the connecting portion 65 in the transverse direction X. In addition, the other ends 63 of the two curved portions 61 are disposed in the longitudinal direction Y at a position closer to the back side than the connecting portion 65. The other ends 63 of the two curved portions 61 have a rounded outline. Alternatively, the other ends 63 of the two curved portions 61 may also have an angular outline. By forming the guide mark 60 with the above-described shape in the main body portion 2, the user of the absorbent article 1 can associate the shape of the guide mark 60 with the shape of the buttocks and identify the buttocks that should be aligned with the guide mark 60.

[0087] Furthermore, the guide mark 60 has a width W4 in the lateral direction X and a width L1 in the longitudinal direction Y. The width W4 of the guide mark 60 in the lateral direction X corresponds to the distance in the lateral direction X between the other ends 63 of the two curved portions 61. When the portion of the two curved portions 61 that protrudes to the ventral side to the maximum extent is set as the lowest point 64, the width L1 of the guide mark 60 in the longitudinal direction Y corresponds to the distance in the longitudinal direction Y between the lowest point 64 and the other ends 63 of the two curved portions 61. The width W4 of the guide mark 60 in the lateral direction X is greater than the width L1 of the guide mark 60 in the longitudinal direction Y. Therefore, the guide mark 60 has a longer transverse shape in the lateral direction X.

[0088] like Figure 1As shown, three grooves 38 extend in the longitudinal direction Y between the guide mark 60 and the ventral end edge 2F. The width W4 of the guide mark 60 in the transverse direction X is greater than the transverse direction X distance d1 between the two outermost grooves 38 of the three grooves 38. Furthermore, the width W4 of the guide mark 60 in the transverse direction X is smaller than the distance d2 between the pair of leak-proof pleats 80 in the non-erected state. Alternatively, the width W4 of the guide mark 60 in the transverse direction X may also be greater than the distance d2 between the pair of leak-proof pleats 80 in the non-erected state. In this case, when the pair of leak-proof pleats 80 is in the non-erected state, the other ends 63 of the two curved portions 61 of the guide mark 60 are covered by the pair of leak-proof pleats 80; when the pair of leak-proof pleats 80 is in the erected state, the guide mark 60, including the other ends 63 of the two curved portions 61 of the guide mark 60, is entirely exposed on the skin side Z1.

[0089] like Figure 6 As shown, the two curved portions 61 have a substantially constant line width t1 from one end 62 to the other end 63. The line width t1 of the two curved portions 61 can be more than 10% and less than 50% of the width W4 in the lateral direction X of the guide mark 60. For example, the line width t1 of the two curved portions 61 is 2 cm or more. By setting the line width t1 to 2 cm or more, the visual recognizability of the guide mark 60 can be improved.

[0090] When viewed from the skin side Z1, the guide mark 60 is positioned overlapping the absorber 30. More specifically, when viewed from the skin side Z1, at least a portion of the guide mark 60 is disposed in the region R between the first fold line FL1 and the second fold line FL2. For example, the area of ​​the portion of the guide mark 60 disposed in the region R between the first fold line FL1 and the second fold line FL2 may account for more than 30%, 50%, or 80% of the total area of ​​the guide mark 60. Alternatively, the guide mark 60 may be entirely disposed in the region R between the first fold line FL1 and the second fold line FL2.

[0091] As described above, the first fold line FL1 and the second fold line FL2 form a valley crease when viewed from the skin side Z1. Therefore, when the absorbent item 1 is unfolded, a restoring force F is applied to the main body 2 to restore it to the shape of a valley crease originating from the first fold line FL1 and the second fold line FL2 (see reference). Figure 7 That is, when viewed from the skin side Z1, the force that bends the first fold line FL1 inwards acts on the portions of the main body 2 located on both sides of the first fold line FL1 in the longitudinal direction Y, and the force that bends the second fold line FL2 inwards acts on the portions of the main body 2 located on both sides of the second fold line FL2 in the longitudinal direction Y. The result is as follows: Figure 7As shown, the main body 2 bends inwards with the first fold line FL1 and the second fold line FL2 inside, and the area R between the first fold line FL1 and the second fold line FL2 of the main body 2 is deformed in a way that bulges upwards (skin side Z1).

[0092] When caring for an adult with a physical disability who is being cared for in a nursing or medical setting, the absorbent garment 1 is sometimes worn after the wearer has assumed a side-lying position. In this case, after assuming the side-lying position, the spread-out absorbent garment 1 is placed below the wearer's waist, and the wearer is then brought back to a supine position with their buttocks resting on the absorbent garment. Then, after passing the absorbent garment through the wearer's crotch and lifting it towards the abdomen, a pair of first hook-and-loop fasteners 90A and second hook-and-loop fasteners 90B are secured to the fastening portion. At this time, if the distance between the wearer's buttocks in the side-lying position and the guide mark 60 formed on the main body 2 is large, it is difficult to accurately align the wearer's buttocks with the guide mark 60.

[0093] In response to this, such as Figure 7 As shown, the area R between the first fold line FL1 and the second fold line FL2 of the main body 2 is deformed in an upward (skin-side Z1) manner, thereby reducing the distance D between the wearer's buttocks 100 and the area R when in a side-lying position. That is, since the distance D between the wearer's buttocks 100 and the guide mark 60 can be reduced, the alignment of the wearer's buttocks 100 and the guide mark 60 becomes easier. As a result, the absorbent article 1 can be worn more easily.

[0094] Similarly, by forming a pair of third fold lines FL3 in the main body 2, when the absorbent article 1 is unfolded, a restoring force is generated in the main body 2 to return to the shape of a valley fold originating from the pair of third fold lines FL3. As a result, the main body 2 bends inward with the pair of third fold lines FL3, and the area between the pair of third fold lines FL3 in the main body 2 deforms in an upward bulging manner. The guide mark 60 is positioned between the pair of third fold lines FL3 when viewed from the skin side Z1, and therefore, by deforming the area between the pair of third fold lines FL3 in an upward bulging manner, the distance D between the wearer's buttocks 100 and the guide mark 60 can be further reduced. As a result, the alignment of the wearer's buttocks 100 and the guide mark 60 becomes easier.

[0095] In one embodiment, a portion of the guide mark 60 may be disposed on the first fold line FL1. Additionally, when viewed from the skin-side Z1, the guide mark 60 may be disposed between the widened portions 15c of a pair of dorsal wing portions 15. For example, as... Figure 1As shown, the guide mark 60 can be disposed on the back side portion 33 of the absorbent core 31 between the widened portions 15c of a pair of back side flap portions 15. The width of the absorbent body 30 in the lateral direction X at the position where it overlaps with the guide mark 60 is greater than the width in the lateral direction X of the ventral end edge 31F and the back end edge 31R of the absorbent body 30. The back side portion 33 is the area that becomes the widest part of the absorbent core 31, so by disposing the guide mark 60 on the back side portion 33, urine excreted by the wearer can be effectively absorbed in the back side portion 33. In addition, when viewed from the skin side Z1, the guide mark 60 is disposed between the areas where a pair of leg stretch members 40 overlap with the absorbent body 30.

[0096] In one embodiment, when viewed from the skin-side Z1, the guide mark 60 is positioned overlapping the high weight-per-unit area region 30h. In this case, urine excreted by the wearer can be effectively absorbed in the high weight-per-unit area region 30h. Alternatively, when viewed from the skin-side Z1, the guide mark 60 may be positioned along the extension line of one or more grooves 38. For example, in... Figure 1 In the embodiment shown, the guide mark 60 is disposed on the extension line of the three slots 38.

[0097] In one implementation, such as Figure 1 As shown, a central guide mark 70 may also be formed on the main body 2 in a manner that allows visual recognition from the skin side Z1. This central guide mark 70 is used to guide the position of a portion of the wearer's body to be positioned in the lateral direction X. The central guide mark 70 includes a ventral central guide mark 71 disposed in the longitudinal direction Y between the guide mark 60 and the ventral end edge 2F, and a dorsal central guide mark 72 disposed in the longitudinal direction Y between the guide mark 60 and the dorsal end edge 2R.

[0098] The ventral central guide mark 71 and the dorsal central guide mark 72 are disposed on the skin-side Z1 relative to the absorber 30. For example, the ventral central guide mark 71 and the dorsal central guide mark 72 are printed on the surface sheet 10 in a manner that allows them to be visually identified from the skin-side Z1. The ventral central guide mark 71 and the dorsal central guide mark 72 can be colored in a different color than the surface sheet 10. For example, the ventral central guide mark 71 and the dorsal central guide mark 72 can be printed in blue or green. More specifically, for example, the ventral central guide mark 71 and the dorsal central guide mark 72 can be printed in a color within the range of 5 GY to 10 RP on the Munsell color wheel.

[0099] The guide mark 60, the ventral central guide mark 71, and the dorsal central guide mark 72 can be printed on the main body 2 using ink. In this case, the amount of ink per unit area of ​​the guide mark 60 can be greater than the amount of ink per unit area of ​​the ventral central guide mark 71 and the dorsal central guide mark 72. For example, when the guide mark 60, the ventral central guide mark 71, and the dorsal central guide mark 72 are represented by a collection of tiny ink dots, the density of the ink dots on the guide mark 60 can be higher than the density of the ink dots on the ventral central guide mark 71 and the dorsal central guide mark 72. By making the amount of ink per unit area of ​​the guide mark 60 relatively greater, the guide mark 60 appears darker, thus improving the visual recognizability of the guide mark 60. Furthermore, the guide mark 60 and the central guide mark 70 can also have different hues, brightness, or chroma from each other. By having different hues, brightness, or chroma from each other, the recognizability of the guide mark 60 and the central guide mark 70 is improved.

[0100] The ventral central guide mark 71 extends linearly along the centerline CL2 in the transverse direction X of the main body between the guide mark 60 and the ventral end edge 2F. The ventral central guide mark 71 has a dorsal end 71r and a ventral end 71f, extending longitudinally Y between the dorsal end 71r and the ventral end 71f in a manner that overlaps with the centerline CL2 of the main body 2 when viewed from the skin side Z1. Figure 6 As shown, the dorsal end 71r of the ventral central guide mark 71 is positioned at a position overlapping with the absorbent body 30 when viewed from the skin side Z1, and is separated from the connecting portion 65 of the guide mark 60. That is, the guide mark 60 and the ventral central guide mark 71 are not connected to each other.

[0101] The ventral end 71f of the ventral central guide mark 71 is positioned closer to the ventral edge 2F than the centerline CL1 in the longitudinal direction Y of the main body 2. For example, the ventral end 71f is positioned on the ventral edge 2F. When viewed from the skin side Z1, the ventral central guide mark 71 at least partially overlaps with the central groove 38 of the plurality of grooves 38. The dorsal end 71r and the ventral end 71f have rounded contours. Alternatively, the dorsal end 71r and the ventral end 71f may also have angular contours. The contour shapes of the dorsal end 71r and the ventral end 71f may also differ from the contour shapes of the other ends 63 of the two curved portions 61. The ventral central guide mark 71 has a substantially constant line width t2 between the dorsal end 71r and the ventral end 71f. The line width t1 of the two curved portions 61 of the guide mark 60 may be thicker than the line width t2 of the ventral central guide mark 71. By making the line width t1 of the two curved sections 61 relatively thick, the visual recognizability of the guide mark 60 is improved.

[0102] The dorsal central guide mark 72 extends linearly along the centerline CL2 in the transverse direction X of the main body portion between the guide mark 60 and the dorsal end edge 2R. The dorsal central guide mark 72 has a dorsal end 72r and a ventral end 72f, extending longitudinally between the dorsal end 72r and the ventral end 72f such that they overlap with the centerline CL2 of the main body portion 2 when viewed from the skin side Z1. The dorsal end 72r of the dorsal central guide mark 72 is disposed on the dorsal end edge 2R. The ventral end 72f of the dorsal central guide mark 72 is disposed at a position overlapping with the absorbent body 30 when viewed from the skin side Z1, and is separated from the connection portion 65 of the guide mark 60. That is, the guide mark 60 and the dorsal central guide mark 72 are not connected to each other.

[0103] The dorsal end 72r and ventral end 72f have rounded corners. Alternatively, the dorsal end 72r and ventral end 72f may also have angular contours. The contour shapes of the dorsal end 72r and ventral end 72f may also differ from the contour shapes of the other ends 63 of the two curved portions 61. The dorsal central guide mark 72 has a substantially constant line width t3 between the dorsal end 72r and the ventral end 72f. The line width t1 of the two curved portions 61 of the guide mark 60 may be thicker than the line width t3 of the dorsal central guide mark 72. By making the line width t1 of the two curved portions 61 relatively thicker, the visual recognizability of the guide mark 60 is improved.

[0104] As described above, the central guide mark 70 is a mark used to guide the absorbent article 1 to its central position in the lateral direction X. Figure 1 As shown, the ventral central guide mark 71 and the dorsal central guide mark 72 can be dashed lines, dotted lines, or dotted-dash lines. By using dashed lines, dotted lines, or dotted-dash lines for the ventral central guide mark 71 and the dorsal central guide mark 72, the user can easily identify that the ventral central guide mark 71 and the dorsal central guide mark 72 represent the center of the absorbent article 1.

[0105] Furthermore, if the guide mark 60 is connected to the central guide mark 70 when viewed from the skin side (Z1), the guide mark 60 does not appear to mimic the shape of the buttocks. Sometimes, users may not be able to identify the position of the guide mark 60 corresponding to the buttocks for guidance. To address this, as follows... Figure 1 As shown, the fact that the guide mark 60 is not connected to the central guide mark 70 allows the user to easily identify the position where the guide mark 60 should be placed on the buttocks.

[0106] In one implementation, such as Figure 2As shown, an outer central guide mark 73 extending along the center line CL2 in the transverse direction X can also be formed on the back sheet 20 in a manner that allows it to be visually recognized from the non-skin side Z2. The outer central guide mark 73 is printed, for example, on the back film 21 and can be visually recognized from the non-skin side Z2 through the back non-woven fabric 22. The outer central guide mark 73 extends in a straight line along the center line CL2 across the entire area in the longitudinal direction Y of the main body 2. The width of the outer central guide mark 73 in the transverse direction can be larger than the line width t2 in the transverse direction X of the ventral central guide mark 71 and the line width t3 in the transverse direction X of the dorsal central guide mark 72.

[0107] As described above, since the ventral central guide mark 71 and the dorsal central guide mark 72 extending along the center line CL2 in the lateral direction X are formed on the main body 2, by aligning the ventral central guide mark 71 and the dorsal central guide mark 72 with the wearer's midline when wearing the absorbent article 1, the lateral displacement of the absorbent article 1 can be suppressed. Therefore, the absorbent article 1 can be easily worn in the correct position. In addition, since the outer central guide mark 73 is formed on the back panel 20 in a manner that can be visually identified from the non-skin side Z2, the center line CL1 in the lateral direction X of the main body 2 can also be identified from the non-skin side Z2. Therefore, when wearing the absorbent article 1 with the ventral region 53 against the wearer's abdomen, by aligning the outer central guide mark 73 with the wearer's midline when wearing the absorbent article 1, the lateral displacement of the absorbent article 1 can be suppressed more effectively.

[0108] Next, refer to Figure 8 Another embodiment of the absorbent article will be described. Figure 8 This is a plan view of the absorbent article 1A of another embodiment, viewed from the skin side Z1. Figure 9 yes Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of the absorbent article 1A shown along line CC. Figure 10 yes Figure 8 The absorbent article 1A shown is a cross-sectional view along line DD. The absorbent article 1A and... Figure 1 The difference between the absorbent article 1 shown is that a guide mark 60 is formed on the buffer sheet 55 described later. In the following description, the differences from absorbent article 1 will be mainly explained, and repeated descriptions will be omitted.

[0109] like Figures 8-10As shown, the main body 2 of the absorbent article 1A also includes a buffer sheet 55 disposed between the surface sheet 10 and the absorbent body 30. The buffer sheet 55 is, for example, made of a resin-made open-ended film, SAP sheet, nonwoven fabric, cotton paper, or a laminate thereof. The open-ended film is made of a resin film having a plurality of openings extending through in the thickness direction. Typically, polyethylene or polypropylene is used as the material for the resin film. The SAP sheet is a sheet having one or more absorbent layers formed by sandwiching SAP with nonwoven fabric.

[0110] In one embodiment, the buffer sheet 55 may be colored a different color than the surface sheet 10. By coloring the buffer sheet 55, it can be easily visually identified through the surface sheet 10. For example, the buffer sheet 55 may be colored blue or green.

[0111] like Figure 8 As shown, the guide mark 60 is formed on the buffer sheet 55. For example, the guide mark 60 is printed on the skin-side Z1 or the non-skin-side Z2 of the buffer sheet 55. The guide mark 60 may have a different color than the buffer sheet 55. For example, if the buffer sheet 55 is colored blue or green, the guide mark 60 may be white. Alternatively, the surface sheet 10, the buffer sheet 55, and the guide mark 60 may be different colors from each other.

[0112] Alternatively, the guide mark 60 may not be formed on the buffer sheet 55. In this case, the guide mark 60 is positioned to overlap with the buffer sheet 55 when viewed from the skin side Z1. For example, the guide mark 60 is printed on the surface sheet 10 at the position where it overlaps with the buffer sheet 55 when viewed from the skin side Z1. Typically, the guide mark 60 is formed such that its entirety overlaps with the buffer sheet 55 when viewed from the skin side Z1.

[0113] A buffer sheet 55 is partially disposed near the guide mark 60. Specifically, the buffer sheet 55 is disposed on the dorsal side relative to the centerline CL1 in the longitudinal direction Y, and its entirety overlaps with the absorbent body 30 when viewed from the skin side Z1. For example, the buffer sheet 55 has a rectangular or square planar shape, with the ventral end 55f of the buffer sheet 55 disposed on the dorsal side relative to the centerline CL1 in the longitudinal direction Y, and the dorsal end 55r of the buffer sheet 55 disposed on the ventral side closer to the ventral end edge 31F of the absorbent body 30. A first fold line FL1 may be formed between the ventral end 55f and the dorsal end 55r of the buffer sheet 55. The ventral end 55f of the buffer sheet 55 may be disposed on the dorsal side closer to the dorsal ends of the plurality of grooves 38. The two side edges 55s of the buffer sheet 55 in the transverse direction X are disposed on the inner side in the transverse direction relative to the transverse fixing portions 82 of the pair of leak-proof pleats 80.

[0114] In addition, such as Figure 10As shown, when viewed from the skin side Z1, the buffer sheet 55 is positioned to overlap with the high weight-per-unit area region 30h. This prevents urine absorbed by the high weight-per-unit area region 30h from flowing back to the skin side Z1.

[0115] In the absorbent article 1A, when the first hook and loop fastener 90A and the second hook and loop fastener 90B are pulled along the wearer's waistline during wear, tension in the lateral direction X is applied to the pair of back-side flap portions 15 near the guide mark 60, thus stretching the wrinkles that would otherwise form in the main body portion 2 near the guide mark 60. Therefore, wrinkles that would form in the main body portion 2 near the guide mark 60 during wear can be suppressed. Furthermore, in the absorbent article 1A, since a buffer sheet 55 is provided between the surface sheet 10 and the absorbent body 30, urine absorbed by the absorbent body 30 is blocked by the buffer sheet 55, preventing the urine from flowing back towards the skin side Z1. Since the buffer sheet 55 is positioned to overlap with the guide mark 60 located on the wearer's buttocks, urine flowing back from the absorbent body 30 can be prevented from adhering to the wearer's buttocks.

[0116] Figure 11 This is a plan view of the absorbent article 1B according to another embodiment, viewed from the skin side Z1. Figure 11 The absorbent article 1B shown is Figure 1 The difference in the absorbent article 1 shown is that the absorbent article 1B does not have a pair of inserts 16. Instead, a pair of first hook and loop fasteners 90A and a pair of second hook and loop fasteners 90B are attached to a pair of dorsal flap portions 15. In the absorbent article 1B, when viewed from the skin side Z1, guide marks 60 are positioned between the straight portions 15s of the pair of dorsal flap portions 15.

[0117] Figure 12 This is a plan view of the absorbent article 1C according to another embodiment, viewed from the skin side Z1. Figure 12 The absorbent article 1C shown is... Figure 1 The difference in the absorbent article 1 shown is that the main body 2 of the absorbent article 1C does not have a pair of dorsal wing portions 15 and a pair of ventral wing portions 17, and the width of the main body 2 in the lateral direction X is constant at all positions in the longitudinal direction Y. For example... Figure 12 As shown, the absorbent article 1C includes a pair of inserts 16 respectively attached to the main body 2. When viewed from the skin side Z1, the pair of inserts 16 extend outward from the main body 2 in the lateral direction X. The pair of inserts 16 are positioned along the wearer's waistline when worn. In the absorbent article 1C, when viewed from the skin side Z1, the guide mark 60 overlaps with the absorbent body 30 and is positioned between the pair of inserts 16. Figure 12 As shown, a pair of first hook and loop fasteners 90A and a pair of second hook and loop fasteners 90B are provided on a pair of inserts 16.

[0118] Alternatively, a dividing line 16d may be formed on each pair of inserts 16 to divide each insert 16 in the longitudinal direction Y. The dividing line 16d is, for example, an easy-tear line, formed in the longitudinal direction Y between a pair of first hook and loop fasteners 90A and a pair of second hook and loop fasteners 90B. When each insert 16 is cut along the dividing line 16d, each insert 16 is divided into a ventral part and a dorsal part.

[0119] In one embodiment, when the folded absorbent article 1C is removed from the packaging, a pair of inserts 16 can also be temporarily secured in a folded state along a fold line extending in the longitudinal direction Y. For example, as Figure 13 As shown, with a pair of first hook and loop fasteners 90A and a pair of second hook and loop fasteners 90B folded inward along the side edges of a pair of inserts 16, the pair of inserts 16 are folded inward once or more along one or more fold lines extending in the longitudinal direction Y. Furthermore, the folded pair of inserts 16 are temporarily fixed to the surface sheet 10. Temporary fixing refers to a weak engagement that does not peel off during transport but can be peeled off by force applied by the user during use. For example, temporary fixing is performed using adhesives, embossing, or ultrasonic processing. By temporarily fixing the folded pair of inserts 16 to the surface sheet 10, the pair of inserts 16 are fixed in a folded state during transport.

[0120] The absorbent articles 1, 1A, 1B, and 1C of various embodiments have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without changing the spirit of the invention. That is, it should be noted that the above embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of the present invention.

[0121] For example, in the above embodiment, the guide mark 60 has a shape that mimics the shape of a buttocks in order to guide the wearer to the position of the buttocks. However, the guide mark 60 is not limited to mimicking the shape of a buttocks, as long as it can guide the wearer to a specific part of the body in the longitudinal direction. For example, the guide mark 60 may also guide the wearer to the position of the urinary opening or groin. Figure 14 This is an example of a guide mark 60 used to guide the wearer to the location of their urinary opening. Figure 15 An example of a guide mark 60 indicating the location of the wearer's groin area.

[0122] Furthermore, absorbent items 1, 1A, 1B, and 1C may not necessarily have hook and loop fasteners. For example, absorbent items 1, 1A, 1B, and 1C may also be disposable absorbent pads that can be replaced and attached to the skin-side of a cloth or non-woven diaper cover with a pair of hook and loop fasteners.

[0123] Furthermore, the shape of the guide marker 60, which guides the wearer to the position of their hips, is not limited to... Figure 6 The example shown. For example, the guide marker 60 can also have, as shown... Figure 16 The patterns, designs, or geometric shapes shown in (a) to (f). Furthermore, the various embodiments described above can be combined without contradiction.

[0124] The invention is described with reference to the following list of items. Furthermore, even without a specific list, the invention may include the following items in any combination.

[0125] [1] An absorbent article, wherein,

[0126] The absorbent article has a main body comprising: a surface sheet disposed on the skin side of the wearer; a back sheet disposed on a non-skin side opposite to the skin side; and an absorbent body disposed between the surface sheet and the back sheet. The main body extends longitudinally between a dorsal edge and a ventral edge.

[0127] The main body portion has:

[0128] A guide marker, having a shape that mimics the buttocks, is used to guide the placement of the wearer's buttocks in the longitudinal direction; and

[0129] A ventral central guide mark is disposed in the longitudinal direction between the guide mark and the ventral end edge, extending in a straight line along the centerline of the main body in the transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0130] The guide mark and the central ventral guide mark are formed on the main body in a manner that allows them to be visually identified from the skin's side.

[0131] When viewed from the skin's facial side, the guide mark and the ventral central guide mark are not connected to each other.

[0132] [2] According to the absorbent article described in [1], wherein,

[0133] The guide mark includes two curved portions that protrude toward the ventral end edge.

[0134] [3] The absorbent article according to [2], wherein,

[0135] The two curved sections each have one end and another end.

[0136] The guide mark includes a connecting portion formed by connecting one end of the two curved portions to each other.

[0137] The connecting portion is positioned on the center line in the lateral direction and is separate from the central guide mark on the ventral side.

[0138] [4] An absorbent article according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein,

[0139] The central ventral guide mark is a dashed line, a dotted line, or a dotted-dash line.

[0140] [5] The absorbent article according to [1], wherein,

[0141] The guide mark and the central guide mark on the ventral side are colored in a different color than the surface sheet.

[0142] [6] An absorbent article according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein,

[0143] The guide mark and the central ventral guide mark have different hues, brightness, or chroma from each other.

[0144] [7] An absorbent article according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein,

[0145] The guide mark and the central guide mark on the ventral side are printed on the main body using ink.

[0146] The amount of ink per unit area of ​​the guide mark is greater than the amount of ink per unit area of ​​the central ventral guide mark.

[0147] [8] The absorbent article according to [2], wherein,

[0148] The line width of the two curved portions of the guide mark is thicker than the line width of the central guide mark on the ventral side.

[0149] [9] The absorbent article according to [2] or [8], wherein,

[0150] The other end of the two curved sections has a rounded profile.

[0151]

[10] An absorbent article according to any one of [1] to [9], wherein,

[0152] The main body also has a central guide mark on the back side, which is disposed in the longitudinal direction between the guide mark and the back side edge, and extends in a straight line along the center line in the transverse direction.

[0153] The central dorsal guide mark is formed on the main body in a manner that allows it to be visually identifiable from the skin's side.

[0154] When viewed from the skin's facial side, the guide mark and the dorsal central guide mark are not connected to each other.

[0155]

[11] An absorbent article according to any one of [1] to

[10] , wherein,

[0156] The back panel has an outer central guide mark that extends along the center line in the lateral direction, in a manner that allows it to be visually recognized from the non-skin side.

[0157]

[12] According to the absorbent article described in [1], wherein,

[0158] The ventral central guide mark extends between the dorsal end disposed on the side of the guide mark and the ventral end disposed on the ventral edge side.

[0159] The ventral end is positioned closer to the edge of the ventral end than the centerline in the longitudinal direction of the main body.

[0160]

[13] The absorbent article according to

[12] ,

[0161] The ventral end is disposed on the ventral end edge.

[0162]

[14] An absorbent article according to any one of [1] to

[13] , wherein,

[0163] The absorbent comprises: an absorbent core having water-absorbing properties; and a core cladding covering at least the non-skin-facing surface of the absorbent core.

[0164] The absorbent core has a groove portion with a lower weight per unit area than other parts of the absorbent core.

[0165] The groove is formed between the guide mark and the ventral edge, and extends along the center line in the transverse direction in the longitudinal direction in such a way that it overlaps with the central ventral guide mark when viewed from the skin side.

[0166]

[15] The absorbent article according to

[14] , wherein,

[0167] The absorbent core has a plurality of grooves including the groove portion.

[0168] The plurality of grooves extend along the longitudinal direction between the guide mark and the ventral end edge.

[0169] When viewed from the skin side, the guide marks are positioned on the extension lines of the plurality of grooves.

[0170]

[16] An absorbent article according to any one of [1] to

[15] , wherein,

[0171] The absorbent article also includes a pair of leg-length telescopic members disposed on both sides along the lateral direction of the main body.

[0172] When viewed from the skin side, a pair of leg-circumference stretch members partially overlap with the absorbent body.

[0173] When viewed from the skin side, the guide mark is positioned between the area where the pair of leg-length stretch members overlap with the absorbent body.

[0174] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0175] 1. 1A, 1B, 1C, Absorbent material; 2. Main body; 2F, Ventral edge; 2R, Dorsal edge; 10. Surface sheet; 13. Telescopic component; 15. Dorsal wing section; 15a, Side edge; 15c, Widened section; 15s, Straight section; 20. Back sheet; 30. Absorbent body; 31. Absorbent core; 38. Groove; 55. Buffer sheet; 60. Guide mark; 80. Leak-proof pleat; 100. Buttocks; CL1, Centerline in the longitudinal direction; CL2, Centerline in the transverse direction; FL1, First fold line; FL2, Second fold line; FL3, Third fold line; R, Area; X, Transverse direction; Y, Longitudinal direction; Z1, Skin side; Z2, Non-skin side.

Claims

1. An absorbent article, wherein, The absorbent article has a main body comprising: a surface sheet disposed on the skin side of the wearer; a back sheet disposed on a non-skin side opposite to the skin side; and an absorbent body disposed between the surface sheet and the back sheet. The main body extends longitudinally between a dorsal edge and a ventral edge. The main body portion has: A guide marker, having a shape that mimics the buttocks, is used to guide the placement of the wearer's buttocks in the longitudinal direction; and A ventral central guide mark is disposed in the longitudinal direction between the guide mark and the ventral end edge, extending in a straight line along the centerline of the main body in the transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The guide mark and the central ventral guide mark are formed on the main body in a manner that allows them to be visually identified from the skin's side. When viewed from the skin's facial side, the guide mark and the ventral central guide mark are not connected to each other.

2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein, The guide mark includes two curved portions that protrude toward the ventral end edge.

3. The absorbent article according to claim 2, wherein, The two curved sections each have one end and another end. The guide mark includes a connecting portion formed by connecting one end of the two curved portions to each other. The connecting portion is positioned on the center line in the lateral direction and is separate from the central guide mark on the ventral side.

4. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein, The central ventral guide mark is a dashed line, a dotted line, or a dotted-dash line.

5. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein, The guide mark and the central guide mark on the ventral side are colored in a different color than the surface sheet.

6. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein, The guide mark and the central ventral guide mark have different hues, brightness, or chroma from each other.

7. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein, The guide mark and the central guide mark on the ventral side are printed on the main body using ink. The amount of ink per unit area of ​​the guide mark is greater than the amount of ink per unit area of ​​the central ventral guide mark.

8. The absorbent article according to claim 2, wherein, The line width of the two curved portions of the guide mark is thicker than the line width of the central guide mark on the ventral side.

9. The absorbent article according to claim 2, wherein, The other end of the two curved sections has a rounded profile.

10. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein, The main body also has a central guide mark on the back side, which is disposed in the longitudinal direction between the guide mark and the back side edge, and extends in a straight line along the center line in the transverse direction. The central dorsal guide mark is formed on the main body in a manner that allows it to be visually identifiable from the skin's side. When viewed from the skin's facial side, the guide mark and the dorsal central guide mark are not connected to each other.

11. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein, The back panel has an outer central guide mark that extends along the center line in the lateral direction, in a manner that allows it to be visually recognized from the non-skin side.

12. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein, The ventral central guide mark extends between the dorsal end disposed on the side of the guide mark and the ventral end disposed on the ventral edge side. The ventral end is positioned closer to the edge of the ventral end than the centerline in the longitudinal direction of the main body.

13. The absorbent article according to claim 12, wherein, The ventral end is disposed on the ventral end edge.

14. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein, The absorbent comprises: an absorbent core having water-absorbing properties; and a core cladding covering at least the non-skin-facing surface of the absorbent core. The absorbent core has a groove portion with a lower weight per unit area than other parts of the absorbent core. The groove is formed between the guide mark and the ventral edge, and extends along the center line in the transverse direction in the longitudinal direction in such a way that it overlaps with the central ventral guide mark when viewed from the skin side.

15. The absorbent article of claim 14, wherein, The absorbent core has a plurality of grooves including the groove portion. The plurality of grooves extend along the longitudinal direction between the guide mark and the ventral end edge. When viewed from the skin side, the guide marks are positioned on the extension lines of the plurality of grooves.

16. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein, The absorbent article also includes a pair of leg-length telescopic members disposed on both sides along the lateral direction of the main body. When viewed from the skin side, a pair of leg-circumference stretch members partially overlap with the absorbent body. When viewed from the skin side, the guide mark is positioned between the area where the pair of leg-length stretch members overlap with the absorbent body.

Images