Container for short pants-type absorbent articles

Abstract

In a storage body (100) of pant-type absorbent articles (1) having a plurality of pant-type absorbent articles (1) and a storage member (101), in a storage state, end portions (WA) of waist portions (20, 30) of the absorbent articles (1) in the up-and-down direction are folded back toward the crotch lower portions (40), the end portions (WAe) of the waist portions (20, 30) in the up-and-down direction do not exceed the end portions (40e) of the crotch lower portions (40) in the up-and-down direction, the plurality of absorbent articles (1) are compressed in a state of overlapping in the thickness direction, and in at least one of the plurality of absorbent articles (1), a distance (L1) from the end portion (WAe) of the waist portion (20, 30) at the central position in the left-and-right direction to the end portion (40e) of the crotch lower portion (40) is greater than an average thickness (T) of the crotch lower portion (40).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a housing for shorts-type absorbent articles. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, absorbent articles such as disposable diapers were known, which had an elastic member in the center of the crotch area corresponding to the wearer's crotch, which could stretch and contract in the length direction (vertical direction). For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a disposable diaper that has a front part and a back part corresponding to the waist circumference, and has an absorbent core extending from the front part to the back part. An elastic member extending in the length direction is provided in the center of the absorbent core at a position closer to the non-skin contact surface than the absorbent core.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-131196 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] The disposable diapers and other absorbent articles described in Patent Document 1 are typically housed and sold within a protective housing member such as a storage bag, by folding the two ends of the waistband towards the center, and then folding it in half, etc., under high compression. In other words, to improve logistics costs, housings containing multiple absorbent articles tend to apply high compression to the absorbent articles, thus accommodating more and more absorbent articles more compactly. However, because this compression state continues within the housing, there is a possibility that the adhesive applied to the elastic members of the absorbent articles may seep out and adhere to other adjacent articles within the housing member, or that the adhesion between the waistband and crotch of the absorbent article may break, causing the elastic members to detach.

[0008] The present invention was made in view of the aforementioned problems, and its object is to provide a housing for shorts-type absorbent articles, which prevents the articles from sticking together due to seepage of adhesive within a housing member that houses multiple absorbent articles in a compressed state.

[0009] Solution for solving the problem

[0010] The main invention for achieving the above-mentioned objective is a housing for a shorts-type absorbent article, which comprises a plurality of shorts-type absorbent articles and a housing member for housing the plurality of shorts-type absorbent articles. The shorts-type absorbent articles are characterized by having: mutually orthogonal vertical, horizontal, and thickness directions; a pair of waist portions; a crotch portion located under the wearer's crotch when worn; and a central elastic member attached to the central portion of the crotch portion in the horizontal direction by an adhesive and capable of stretching and contracting in the vertical direction. In a housed state within the housing member, the vertical ends of the waist portions are folded back towards the crotch portion, the folded vertical ends of the waist portions not exceeding the vertical ends of the crotch portion. The plurality of shorts-type absorbent articles are compressed in a state of overlapping in the thickness direction. In at least one of the plurality of shorts-type absorbent articles, the distance from the end of the waist portion at the central position in the horizontal direction to the end of the crotch portion is greater than the average thickness of the crotch portion.

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

[0012] The effects of the invention

[0013] According to the present invention, a housing for shorts-type absorbent articles is provided, which prevents the articles from sticking together due to seepage of adhesive within a housing member that houses multiple absorbent articles in a compressed state. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic three-dimensional diagram of a disposable diaper holder 100.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a rough three-dimensional view of diaper 1 viewed from the ventral side.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a rough top view of the diaper 1 in its unfolded and elongated state, viewed from the side of the wearer's skin.

[0017] Figure 4A It is along Figure 3 A rough cross-sectional view of section A-A in the diagram. Figure 4B yes Figure 3 A rough cross-sectional view at point B-B in the diagram.

[0018] Figures 5A-5C This diagram illustrates the folding of diaper 1 during storage.

[0019] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the diaper 1 being housed within the housing member 101, viewed from the side.

[0020] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating the relationship between adjacent diapers 1 in their containment state.

[0021] Figure 8 This is a table showing the folded pattern of diaper 1.

[0022] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing a deformed example of diaper 1 folded back in its concealed state.

[0023] Figure 10 The figure shows another variation of the diaper 1 folded back in its contained state.

[0024] Figure 11 This is a diagram illustrating another variation of the folding of diaper 1.

[0025] Figure 12 This is a magnified view of the ventral waist section 20 in its unfolded and elongated state. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The following will become clear from the description in this specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0027] Method 1 is a housing for a shorts-type absorbent article, comprising a plurality of shorts-type absorbent articles and a housing member for housing the plurality of shorts-type absorbent articles. The shorts-type absorbent articles are characterized by: mutually orthogonal vertical, horizontal, and thickness directions; a pair of waist portions; a crotch portion located under the wearer's crotch when worn; and a central elastic member attached to the central portion of the crotch portion in the horizontal direction using an adhesive and capable of stretching and contracting in the vertical direction. In a housing state within the housing member, the vertical ends of the waist portions are folded back towards the crotch portion, the folded vertical ends of the waist portions not exceeding the vertical ends of the crotch portion. The plurality of shorts-type absorbent articles are compressed in an overlapping state in the thickness direction. In at least one of the plurality of shorts-type absorbent articles, the distance from the end of the waist portion at the central position in the horizontal direction to the end of the crotch portion is greater than the average thickness of the crotch portion.

[0028] According to method 1, in the contained state, the end of the waist section is separated from the end of the crotch section. As a result, the separated portion is thinner than when the ends of the waist section and the crotch section are folded back in a manner consistent with or close to each other. The compressive force applied to the separated portion is weakened, making it less likely to come into contact with an absorbent article adjacent in the thickness direction. Therefore, compared to the case where the parts are not separated, it is more effective in preventing the adhesive applied to the central elastic member from seeping out and causing the articles to stick together.

[0029] Method 2 is a housing for a shorts-type absorbent article as described in Method 1, characterized in that the aforementioned distance is set as length L1, and in the aforementioned housing state, at the center position of the other shorts-type absorbent articles adjacent to the aforementioned shorts-type absorbent article in the thickness direction in the left-right direction, the distance from the end of the folded waist portion in the up-down direction to the end of the crotch portion in the up-down direction is set as length L2. At this time, the aforementioned length L2 is different from the aforementioned length L1, and is at least greater than half the aforementioned length L1, or less than 1.5 times the aforementioned length L1.

[0030] According to method 2, when the end of the folded waistband of each shorts-type absorbent item is aligned with the position of the receiving member, the pressure is dispersed when the position of the end is not the same. Therefore, the crotch portion with the central elastic member is less likely to stick to other shorts-type absorbent items.

[0031] Method 3 is a housing for a shorts-type absorbent article as described in Method 1 or 2, characterized in that the average thickness is less than 95% of the average thickness of the crotch portion of the shorts-type absorbent article in its natural state after being removed from the housing member.

[0032] According to method 3, by increasing the applied compression force, more shorts-type absorbent items can be contained within the containment member. Furthermore, even with increased compression force, the distance from the end of the folded waistband to the end of the crotch portion is greater than the average thickness of the crotch portion, thus making the crotch portion thinner and less likely to come into contact with other shorts-type absorbent items. Therefore, it can suppress the adhesion caused by the seeping adhesive.

[0033] Method 4 is a housing for a shorts-type absorbent article as described in any one of methods 1 to 3, characterized in that the central elastic member is linear.

[0034] According to method 4, compared to the case where adhesive is applied to the entire surface of a thicker strip of rubber or a sheet of elastic raw material, the amount of adhesive used to install the central elastic component can be reduced, and the possibility of adhesive seepage during compression can be further reduced.

[0035] Method 5 is a housing for a shorts-type absorbent article as described in any one of Methods 1 to 4, characterized in that, in the pair of waist portions, a plurality of waist elastic members that extend and retract in the left and right directions are arranged in the up-down direction, and the amount of adhesive per unit area of ​​the waist elastic region where the waist elastic members are disposed is less than the amount of adhesive per unit area of ​​the central elastic region where the central elastic member is disposed.

[0036] According to method 5, in the contained state, the waist section is the part that is folded back and becomes thicker. By reducing the amount of adhesive in the waist elastic member disposed in such a part, the possibility of adhesive seepage under compression is reduced.

[0037] Method 6 is a housing for a shorts-type absorbent article as described in any one of Methods 1 to 5, characterized in that, in the above-described housing state, the upper end of the waist portion folded back toward the crotch side does not overlap with the above-described central elastic member when viewed in the above-described thickness direction.

[0038] According to method 6, under the compressed state within the containment member, it is easy to avoid adhesion between the waist section and the central elastic member due to the seepage of adhesive.

[0039] Method 7 is a housing for a shorts-type absorbent article as described in any one of methods 1 to 6, characterized in that, in the above-described housing state, the two ends of the waist portion in the left and right directions are folded back towards the inside in the left and right directions.

[0040] According to method 7, the thickness of the portion folded back in the left and right directions at both ends of the waistband becomes thicker, and this thicker portion is prone to colliding with other adjacent items within the housing member. The portion with the central elastic member is thinner than the portion folded back at both ends, so even if shorts-type absorbent items overlap, the portion with the central elastic member is less likely to collide.

[0041] Method 8 is a housing for a shorts-type absorbent article as described in any one of Methods 1 to 7, characterized in that, in the above-described housing state, there is a repeating portion in which the end of one side of the folded-back waist portion in the left-right direction overlaps with the end of the other side when viewed in the above-described thickness direction, and the repeating portion has a portion that overlaps with the above-described central elastic member in the left-right direction.

[0042] According to method 8, when viewed in the thickness direction, the overlapping portion becomes thicker. This thickened portion creates a thickness difference with the portion overlapping the central elastic member in the left-right direction, making the portion containing the central elastic member thinner than the thickened portion. The thickened portion acts like a pad, thus making the portion containing the central elastic member less susceptible to compression within the housing member, inhibiting adhesive leakage.

[0043] Method 9 is a housing for a shorts-type absorbent article as described in Method 7, characterized in that, in the above-described housing state, the end of one side of the folded waist portion in the left-right direction and the end of the other side do not overlap when viewed in the thickness direction, and in the left-right direction, when the area where the central elastic member is disposed is defined as the central elastic region, the two ends of the waist portion are disposed within the range of the central elastic region.

[0044] According to method 9, the ends of one side of the folded-back waist section do not overlap when viewed in the thickness direction. Therefore, the ends of one side of the waist section are folded back with a gap in the left and right directions. Since both ends of such a waist section (the ends of one side and the ends of the other side) exist in a central elastic region in the left and right directions, the pressure relative to the central elastic region can be suppressed by the aforementioned gap.

[0045] Method 10 is a housing for a shorts-type absorbent article as described in Method 7, characterized in that the housing member contains: a first shorts-type absorbent article having, in the housing state, a portion where one end of the folded-back waist portion in the left-right direction overlaps with the other end when viewed in the thickness direction; and a second shorts-type absorbent article having, in the housing state, a portion where the folded-back waist portion in the left-right direction does not overlap with the other end when viewed in the thickness direction.

[0046] According to method 10, since the size of the containment body that can contain multiple shorts-type absorbent items is fixed, by mixing the first shorts-type absorbent item and the second shorts-type absorbent item together, the high-pressure areas are dispersed, making it difficult for the adhesive to be transferred as a whole.

[0047] Method 11 is a housing for a shorts-type absorbent article as described in any one of Methods 1 to 10, characterized in that, in the crotch portion of the above-described housing state, the side in the thickness direction where the waist portion has a fold is designated as the fold-back inner side, and the opposite side is designated as the fold-back outer side. In this case, the vertical length of the central elastic member is greater on the fold-back inner side than on the fold-back outer side.

[0048] According to method 11, the length of the central elastic member on the outer side is short, thereby reducing the risk of other shorts-type absorbent articles adjacent to the outer side sticking to the central elastic member.

[0049] Method 12 is a housing for a shorts-type absorbent article as described in any one of Methods 1 to 10, characterized in that, in the crotch portion of the above-described housing state, the side in the thickness direction where the waist portion has a fold is designated as the fold-back inner side, and the opposite side is designated as the fold-back outer side. In this case, the vertical length of the central elastic member is greater on the fold-back outer side than on the fold-back inner side.

[0050] According to method 12, the length of the central elastic member on the folded-back inner side is short, thereby reducing the risk of other shorts-type absorbent articles adjacent to the folded-back inner side sticking to the central elastic member.

[0051] Method 13 is a housing for a shorts-type absorbent article as described in any one of Methods 1 to 12, characterized in that, in the above-described housing state, when the portion of the waistband that is folded back toward the crotch side is designated as a folded portion, the folded portion has a portion that overlaps with at least a portion of the central elastic member when viewed in the above-described thickness direction.

[0052] According to method 13, when there is a large overlap between the folded-back section and the central elastic member, the possibility of adhesion between the folded-back section and other shorts-type absorbent articles housed adjacent to it and the central elastic member can be reduced. Furthermore, when there is less overlap between the folded-back section and the central elastic member, the risk of adhesive seepage due to compression causing adhesion between the waistband and the central elastic member can be reduced.

[0053] Method 14 is a housing for a shorts-type absorbent article as described in any one of Methods 1 to 13, characterized in that the pair of waist portions are joined by a pair of lateral joints on both sides in the left-right direction, and a plurality of waist elastic members that stretch and contract in the left-right direction are arranged and fixed in the up-down direction by an adhesive in the pair of waist portions, and the area of ​​the upper end of the pair of waist portions in the up-down direction that is adjacent to the inner end of the pair of lateral joints in the left-right direction has: an area where the adhesive used to fix the waist elastic members is not applied, or a low-basis-weight area where the basis weight of the adhesive is lower than that in the left-right direction, and in the housing state, the two ends of the pair of waist portions in the left-right direction are folded back towards the inner side in the left-right direction.

[0054] According to method 14, since there are areas without adhesive or areas with low adhesive basis weight in the region adjacent to the inner end of the side joint, even if the two ends of the waist section folded inward in the left and right directions are close to or overlap with the central elastic member, the adhesive of the central elastic member and the adhesive of the waist elastic member are difficult to adhere. Therefore, damage or detachment of the elastic members can be prevented.

[0055] Method 15 is a housing for a shorts-type absorbent article as described in Method 14, characterized in that the area adjacent to the inner ends of the pair of lateral joints in the left-right direction has the following characteristics throughout the entire area overlapping the range of the pair of lateral joints in the up-down direction: an area where the adhesive for fixing the waist elastic member is not applied, or a low-weight area where the basis weight of the adhesive is lower than that in the left-right direction; in the housing state, the two ends of the pair of waist portions in the left-right direction are folded back towards the inner side in the left-right direction.

[0056] According to method 15, in the entire area that overlaps with the side joint in the vertical direction, there are areas without adhesive or with low adhesive basis weight in the area adjacent to the inner end of the side joint. Therefore, even if the fold in the waist section becomes deeper, the adhesion between the adhesive of the central elastic member and the adhesive of the waist elastic member can be suppressed. This prevents damage or detachment of the elastic members.

[0057] Method 16 is a housing for a shorts-type absorbent article as described in any one of Methods 1 to 15, characterized in that the pair of waist portions are joined by a pair of lateral joints on both sides in the left-right direction, the pair of waist portions have an inner layer sheet and an outer layer sheet disposed on the non-skin side compared to the inner layer sheet, and a sheet portion disposed on the skin-side of at least one of the pair of waist portions, the sheet portion being fixed to the inner layer sheet by an adhesive, the area adjacent to the inner end of the pair of lateral joints in the left-right direction and the portion overlapping the sheet portion when viewed in the thickness direction having: an area where the adhesive fixing the sheet portion is not applied, or a low basis weight area where the basis weight of the adhesive is lower than that in the left-right direction, and in the housing state, the two ends of the pair of waist portions in the left-right direction are folded back towards the inner side in the left-right direction.

[0058] According to method 16, in the area adjacent to the inner end of the side joint, there is an area without adhesive or an area with low adhesive basis weight in the part overlapping with the sheet. Therefore, even if the two ends of the waist section that is folded back in the left and right direction are close to or overlap with the central elastic member, the adhesive of the central elastic member and the adhesive of the sheet are difficult to stick together.

[0059] Method 17 is a housing for a shorts-type absorbent article as described in any one of Methods 1 to 16, characterized in that the shorts-type absorbent article has an absorbent body having an absorbent core, and in the housing state, a portion of the absorbent core is bent.

[0060] According to method 17, the absorbent core is a high-rigidity area, and therefore a part with strong rebound force that will recover. Even if the portion of the absorbent core bent in the contained state is compressed, it will recover through this rebound force, thus suppressing pressure relative to the central elastic region. Therefore, in the contained state, it is difficult for defects to occur in the portion of the central elastic member.

[0061] Method 18 is a housing for a shorts-type absorbent article as described in any one of Methods 1 to 17, characterized in that, in the pair of waist portions, a plurality of waist elastic members that extend and retract in the left and right directions are arranged in the up-down direction, such that the force required for the waist elastic members to extend by a unit length in the left and right directions from their natural state is greater than the force required for the central elastic member to extend by a unit length in the up-down direction from its natural state.

[0062] According to method 18, since the force required to stretch the elastic member of the waistband by a unit length is large (so-called large contraction force), the waistband produces many folds when it contracts. Because of the presence of many folds, even if the waistband is folded and compressed in the contained state, the compression can be reduced by these folds, which can prevent it from sticking to the crotch due to the seepage of adhesive.

[0063] ===Implementation Methods===

[0064] Hereinafter, as an example of a container for a shorts-type absorbent article according to the present invention, a disposable diaper container 100 (hereinafter also referred to as "container 100") that contains multiple adult shorts-type disposable diapers will be used to describe the implementation method. However, the shorts-type absorbent article contained in the container 100 is not limited to adult shorts-type disposable diapers, and may also be, for example, infant shorts-type disposable diapers, shorts-type sanitary napkins, etc.

[0065] Figure 1 This is a schematic perspective view of a disposable diaper housing 100. The housing 100 includes: a housing member 101 as a bag-like component; and multiple shorts-type absorbent items 1 (shorts-type disposable diapers 1, hereinafter also simply referred to as "diapers 1") housed within the housing member 101. Furthermore, the housing 100 (housing member 101) has intersecting vertical and horizontal directions. Figure 1 As shown, in the state where the diaper 1 is contained in the containing member 101 (hereinafter also referred to as the "containing state"), the containing body 100 contains multiple diapers 1 in two layers, but is not limited to this. In addition, the containing body 100 is cuboid in shape, but is not limited to this, and can be any shape.

[0066] Examples of materials used to form the housing member 101 include thermoplastic resin films such as polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP). However, it is not limited to these materials; the housing member 101 may also be at least partially made of paper.

[0067] <Basic Components of Shorts-Type Disposable Diapers 1>

[0068] Figure 2 This is a rough three-dimensional view of diaper 1 viewed from the ventral side. Figure 3 This is a rough top view of the diaper 1 in its unfolded and elongated state, viewed from the side of the wearer's skin. Figure 4A It is along Figure 3 A rough cross-sectional view of section A-A in the diagram. Figure 4B yes Figure 3 A rough cross-sectional view at point B-B in the diagram.

[0069] The "unfolded state" of diaper 1 refers to the following state: by... Figure 2 The diaper 1 in its shorts-like state has its side joints SS (described later) on both sides in the left-right direction untied, separating the abdominal waistband 20 (described later) from the back waistband 30 (described later), and unfolding the diaper 1 on a flat surface by opening it in the up-down direction. Furthermore, the "stretched state" of the diaper 1 refers to the state in which the product (diaper 1) is stretched without wrinkles, specifically the following state: stretched until the dimensions of each component constituting the diaper 1 (e.g., the absorbent body 10 or the abdominal waistband 20, etc.) become the same as or close to the dimensions of its individual components.

[0070] Diaper 1 Figure 2 In that type of shorts worn in this way, there are intersecting vertical, horizontal, and front-back directions, with a waist opening (BH) and a pair of leg openings (LH). Vertically, the side with the waist opening (BH) is designated as the upper side, and the side that will become the wearer's crotch is designated as the lower side. Front-back, the side that will become the wearer's abdomen is designated as the front side, and the side that will become the back side is designated as the back side. Additionally, Figure 3 In its unfolded and stretched state, the diaper 1 has a length direction, a left-right direction, and a thickness direction in three mutually orthogonal directions. Figure 3 (The direction through the paper). Additionally, the length direction follows the aforementioned vertical direction. Furthermore, one side of the length direction corresponds to the ventral (front) side, and the other side corresponds to the dorsal (back) side. Additionally, diaper 1 as... Figure 4A as well as Figure 4B As shown, the thickness direction of the laminated material is such that the side that comes into contact with the wearer is designated as the skin side, and the opposite side is designated as the non-skin side.

[0071] The diaper 1 has an absorbent body 10 and an outer body 18. The outer body 18 has a pair of waistbands 20 and 30 and a crotch portion 40 located under the wearer's crotch. The outer body 18 is attached to the non-skin side of the absorbent body 10 using an adhesive or the like. Of the pair of waistbands 20 and 30, the waistband located on the wearer's ventral (front) side is also referred to as the ventral waistband 20, and the waistband located on the back (rear) side is also referred to as the dorsal waistband 30. The ventral waistband 20 and the dorsal waistband 30 are joined on both sides in the left-right direction by a pair of lateral joints SS. Examples of joining methods relying on the lateral joints SS include joining methods using heat fusion, ultrasonic welding, or adhesives.

[0072] Absorbent subject 10 such Figure 4A as well as Figure 4B As shown, it comprises: an absorbent body 11; a liquid-permeable top sheet 12 disposed on the skin side relative to the absorbent body 11; a liquid-impermeable back sheet 13 disposed on the non-skin side relative to the absorbent body 11; and an outer sheet 14. The absorbent body 11 comprises: an absorbent core 11A that absorbs and retains excretions such as urine; and a liquid-permeable core-covering sheet 11B covering the absorbent core 11A. As the absorbent core 11A, for example, a structure in which a liquid-absorbing material such as pulp fiber or superabsorbent polymer (SAP) is formed into a predetermined shape can be exemplified. On the other hand, as the core-covering sheet 11B, for example, thin paper or nonwoven fabric can be exemplified. In addition, the absorbent core 11A may not be covered by the core-covering sheet 11B.

[0073] The top sheet 12 is formed, for example, from a nonwoven fabric such as hot-air nonwoven fabric or spunbond nonwoven fabric. The back sheet 13 is, for example, a film of polyethylene or polypropylene that is liquid-impermeable and air-permeable. The outer sheet 14 is, for example, formed from a nonwoven fabric of the same type as the top sheet 12.

[0074] like Figure 3 as well as Figure 4A As shown, a pair of leak-proof wall portions 50, 50 are provided on both sides of the absorbent body 10 in the left-right direction, along the length direction of the absorbent body 10. In this embodiment, a leak-proof wall elastic member 16 (e.g., a rubber thread) is provided between a pair of side pieces 19, 19 provided on the skin side of the top piece 12, in a stretched state along the length direction, forming leak-proof wall portions 50, 50 that can stand upright towards the skin side, but it is not limited to this. For example, it is also possible to fold the sheet member constituting the outer casing of the absorbent body 10 and form it integrally with the absorbent body 10. However, in the diaper 1, it is not necessary to provide leak-proof wall portions 50, 50.

[0075] Furthermore, the crotch portion 40 of the absorbent body 10 has a central elastic member 17 that can stretch and contract in the length direction (vertical direction) at its central position in the left-right direction and on the non-skin side in the thickness direction, which is closer to the absorbent body 11 than the absorbent body 11. Specifically, in this embodiment, the linear central elastic member 17, such as a rubber thread, is sandwiched between the back sheet 13 and the outer sheet 14 and is installed using an adhesive. Here, five central elastic members are provided at intervals in the left-right direction, but the number is not limited to this; it can be a single member or multiple members. In addition, the central elastic member 17 is not limited to a linear form; for example, it can be a stretchable film, a stretchable nonwoven fabric, etc. Figure 3 Only the portion of the central elastic member 17 that exhibits elasticity (the portion of the so-called effective length) is shown.

[0076] In addition, such as Figure 3 , Figure 4A as well as Figure 4B As shown, the central elastic member 17 extends from the front side across the center line CL1 in the longitudinal direction to the rear side at the center portion in the left-right direction of the absorbent body 10. However, the length of the central elastic member 17 in the longitudinal direction is not limited to this, as long as it is provided at least in the crotch portion 40 facing the crotch of the wearer. As a result, the fit at the center in the left-right direction of the absorbent body 10 in the crotch portion 40 is improved.

[0077] like Figure 4A as well as Figure 4B As shown, the outer body 18 has an inner layer 21, a ventral outer layer 22, and a dorsal outer layer 32.

[0078] The inner layer 21 extends from the abdominal waist 20, through the crotch 40, to the back waist 30. Figure 4B The width (length in the left-right direction) of the inner layer 21 in the abdominal waist section 20 and the back waist section 30 is greater than the width (length in the left-right direction) of the inner layer 21 in the crotch section 40. Figure 3 As the inner layer sheet 21, hot air nonwoven fabric, spunbond nonwoven fabric, SMS nonwoven fabric (spunbond-meltblown-spunbond nonwoven fabric), waterproof film, etc. can be used.

[0079] like Figure 3 as well as Figure 4B As shown, the outer abdominal layer 22 is positioned on the non-skin side compared to the inner layer 21, and the outer abdominal layer 22 and the inner layer 21 together form the abdominal waist portion 20. The outer end (upper end) of the outer abdominal layer 22 in the longitudinal direction is folded back towards the skin side. This folded-back portion 22r of the outer abdominal layer 22 encloses one end (outer end) of the inner layer 21 in the longitudinal direction. Alternatively, the outer end (upper end) of the outer abdominal layer 22 in the longitudinal direction may not be folded back.

[0080] Similarly, as Figure 3 As shown in Figure 4, the outer back panel 32 is positioned on the non-skin side compared to the inner panel 21, and the outer back panel 32 and the inner panel 21 together form the back waist portion 30. The outer end (upper end) of the outer back panel 32 in the longitudinal direction is folded back towards the skin side. This folded-back portion 32r of the outer back panel 32 encloses the other end (outer end) of the inner panel 21 in the longitudinal direction. Alternatively, the outer end (upper end) of the outer back panel 32 in the longitudinal direction may not be folded back.

[0081] As the ventral outer layer 22 and the dorsal outer layer 32, hot air nonwoven fabric, spunbond nonwoven fabric, SMS nonwoven fabric (spunbond-meltblown-spunbond nonwoven fabric), etc. can be used.

[0082] The abdominal waist section 20 and the back waist section 30 each have waist elastic members 23 and 33 that can stretch and contract in the left and right directions. Multiple waist elastic members 23 and 33 are arranged with gaps in the vertical direction between the inner layer 21 and the abdominal outer layer 22, and between the inner layer 21 and the back outer layer 32, and are joined and fixed in the left and right directions in an extended state using an adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive (see reference). Figure 3 as well as Figure 4B Therefore, the abdominal waist portion 20 and the back waist portion 30 stretch and contract in the left and right directions to match the wearer's waist size. In addition, in this embodiment, rubber threads are used as waist elastic members 23 and 33, but it is not limited to this; for example, slender stretch sheets may also be used.

[0083] In this embodiment, the rear leg elastic member 34 is located between the inner layer 21 and the outer back layer 32 on the back side waist circumference 30, and is positioned lower than the waist elastic member 33. The rear leg elastic member 34 can also be, for example, multiple rubber lines or a stretchable strip-shaped elastic sheet. The rear leg elastic member 34 is joined and fixed in an extended state using an adhesive such as a hot-melt adhesive, allowing for easy matching with the back leg circumference or buttocks.

[0084] The basic structure of diaper 1 has been explained above, but the structure of diaper 1 described above is only one example and is not limited thereto. For example, in diaper 1 of this embodiment, there is an outer body 18 having three parts: a ventral waistband 20, a dorsal waistband 30, and a crotch portion 40 that connects them. However, it is not limited thereto. For example, it may be a diaper in which the ventral waistband 20 and the dorsal waistband 30 are made of separate components and the non-skin side of the absorbent body 10 is exposed in the crotch portion. It may also be a diaper with an outer body component made of a single component that extends from the ventral waistband 20 to the dorsal waistband 30.

[0085] <Regarding the folding and storage method of Diaper 1>

[0086] As described above, multiple diapers 1 (short-type absorbent items) are housed in a folded state within the housing member 101 in the housing 100. The folding method and housing method of the diapers 1 will be described below.

[0087] Figures 5A-5C This diagram illustrates the folding of diaper 1 during storage. Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram showing the diaper 1 housed within the housing member 101, viewed from the side. When the diaper 1 is housed in the housing member 101, firstly, from... Figure 5A Starting from the natural state shown, such as Figure 5B As shown, the waist portion 20 (30) of the diaper 1 has one side end 20Ea (30Ea) and the other side end 20Eb (30Eb) folded back in the left and right directions (hereinafter, "one side end 20Ea (30Ea) and the other side end 20Eb (30Eb)" are also referred to as "two ends 20E (30E)").

[0088] Next, as Figure 5C As shown, in the folded position F, the vertical ends WA of the waist section 20 (30) are folded back to the crotch section 40 side. Thus, the diaper 1 is folded into... Figure 5C Such a compact shape, with the vertical direction of the receiving member 101 aligned with the vertical direction of the diaper 1, allows for efficient storage. Figure 1 The storage state is shown. In addition, in this embodiment, the two ends 20E (30E) of the folded waist section 20 (30) in the left and right directions do not overlap when viewed in the thickness direction, and are folded back in such a way that they have a portion that overlaps with the central elastic member 17, but this is not a limitation. Details of the possible folding patterns will be described later.

[0089] Typically, when adult shorts-type absorbent articles such as diapers 1 are stored in the storage member, similar to this embodiment, they are usually stored with high compression force applied while the waist opening BH side is folded towards the crotch side in a compact manner. In such a storage state, if a central elastic member 17 is present in the crotch portion 40 as in this embodiment, there is a possibility that the adhesive of the central elastic member 17 or the adhesive of the waist elastic member 23 (33) disposed in the waist portion 20 (30) may seep out and adhere to the adjacent product (diaper 1) in the storage member 101, causing damage or the central elastic member 17 may fall off.

[0090] Regarding this point, in the housing 100 of this embodiment, in the housing state housed in the housing member 101, as described above, the vertical ends WA of the waist portion 20 (30) of each diaper 1 are folded back towards the crotch portion 40, and the multiple diapers 1 are compressed in a state where they overlap in the thickness direction of the diaper 1 (corresponding to the left-right direction of the housing 100). Furthermore, at this time, in each diaper 1, the vertical end WAe of the folded waist portion 20 (30) does not exceed the vertical end 40e of the crotch portion 40 (see reference). Figure 5C Furthermore, in this embodiment, as... Figure 5C as well as Figure 6 As shown, in at least one diaper 1 among the multiple diapers contained, the central position CL2 in the left-right direction ( Figure 5A The distance L1 from the end WAe of the waist portion 20 (30) to the end 40e of the crotch portion 40 is greater than the average thickness T of the crotch portion 40. That is, when compressed and housed within the housing member 101, the length separated from the end WAe of the folded-back waist portion 20 (30) to the end 40e of the crotch portion 40 is greater than the average thickness T of the crotch portion 40.

[0091] In the contained state, by separating the end WAe of the waistband 20 (30) from the end 40e of the crotch portion 40, the separated portion is thinner than when it is folded back in a manner that is consistent with or close to the end WAe of the waistband 20 (30) and the end 40e of the crotch portion 40. The compressive force applied to the separated portion is weaker, making it less likely to collide with other diapers 1 adjacent in the thickness direction. As a result, compared with the case where they are not separated, it is more effective to prevent the diapers 1 from sticking together due to the seepage of adhesive applied to the central elastic member 17.

[0092] Furthermore, the aforementioned "distance L1" can be measured using the following method. First, in this embodiment, in the contained state, multiple diapers 1 are compressed in the thickness direction of the diaper 1, which corresponds to the left-right direction of the containment body 100. During measurement, the containment body 100 is clamped into the containment body 100 from both sides in the left-right direction using clamps, and a portion of the containment member 101 that can be identified from the contained diaper 1 is cut out to confirm the end WAe of the waist portion 20 (30) and the crotch portion 40. In addition, when the containment body 100 is clamped by clamps, it is clamped at approximately ±5% of the length of the containment body 100 in the left-right direction compared to the containment body 100 when compressed, and the compressed state is maintained. From the cut portion, the distance from the end WAe of the waist portion 20 (30) to the end 40e of the crotch portion 40 at the center position in the left-right direction of the diaper 1 is measured, and this distance is set as distance L1. In addition, when the measuring part is concealed inside the container, the container 100 is held by a clamp, and a portion of the container member 101 and the diaper 1 is cut until the measuring part is visible. After the measuring part is visually confirmed, the measuring part is measured.

[0093] Furthermore, the "average thickness T" of the crotch portion 40 is determined as follows. In this embodiment, assuming that the thickness direction of the diaper 1 is equivalent to the left-right direction of the housing 100, firstly, the length of the housing 100 in the left-right direction in its housing state is measured (this is taken as length W). Ten diapers 1 are housed in the housing 100 (housing member 101) in the left-right direction. The thickness of the housing member 101 (the amount at the left and right ends in the left-right direction) is subtracted from the aforementioned length W, and the resulting value is divided by the number of diapers, 10. That is, {length W - (thickness of housing member 101 × 2)} / 10. The value obtained in this way is set as the "average thickness T".

[0094] Figure 7 This diagram illustrates the relationship between adjacent diapers 1 in their contained state. Furthermore, typically in their contained state, by being compressed, adjacent diapers 1 overlap each other in a tight, seamless manner, while... Figure 7 For convenience, the shapes of the diapers 1 are shown in a simplified manner. Figure 7As shown, among the diapers 1 housed, a diaper 1a is defined as having a distance L1 from the end WAe of the waistband 20 (30) to the end 40e of the crotch portion 40 at its central position CL2 in the left-right direction, as described above. Furthermore, in the housed state, another diaper 1 adjacent to diaper 1a in the thickness direction is defined as diaper 1b. At the central position in the left-right direction of diaper 1b, the distance from the end WAe of the folded-back waistband 20 (30) in the vertical direction to the end 40e of the crotch portion 40 in the vertical direction is defined as length L2. In this embodiment, it is preferable that the length L2 of this distance is different from the distance L1 (length L1) of the diaper 1 described above, and is longer than at least half the length L1, or shorter than 1.5 times the length L1. When the position of the folded waist portion 20 (30) of each diaper 1 is not aligned with the position of the folded waist portion 20 (30) in the receiving member 101, the pressure is dispersed. Therefore, it is more difficult for the crotch portion 40 with the central elastic member 17 to stick to other diapers 1 (1b) due to the seepage of adhesive.

[0095] In addition, in this embodiment, when the portion of the waist section 20 (30) that is folded back towards the crotch section 40 is designated as the folded-back portion 20K (30K) (see reference 20K), Figure 5C as well as Figure 6 In its stored state, the folded portion 20K (30K) has a portion that overlaps with at least a portion of the central elastic member 17 when viewed in the thickness direction. Furthermore, for example, if there is more overlap between the folded portion 20K (30K) and the central elastic member 17, the possibility of other diapers 1 stored adjacent to the folded portion 20K (30K) and the central elastic member 17 being bonded by leaked adhesive can be reduced. On the other hand, if there is less overlap between the folded portion 20K (30K) and the central elastic member 17, the risk of adhesive leaking due to compression bonding the waistband portion 20 (30) to the central elastic member 17 can be reduced.

[0096] Furthermore, the folded-back portion 20K (30K) is not limited to having a portion that overlaps with at least a part of the central elastic member 17 when viewed in the thickness direction. It can also be configured such that, in the stored state, the upper end WAe of the folded-back portion 20K (30K) folded back towards the crotch portion 40 does not overlap with the central elastic member 17 when viewed in the thickness direction. With this configuration, in the compressed state, it is easy to avoid the waist portion 20 (30) from sticking to the central elastic member 17 due to the seepage of adhesive.

[0097] Here, we will explain in detail the folding position when the diaper 1 is housed in the housing member 101. Figure 8 This is a table showing the folding pattern of diaper 1. First, in the case of folding diaper 1, as follows: Figure 5BAs shown, the two ends (20Ea, 20Eb) of the waistband 20 (30) of the diaper 1 in the left and right directions are folded back inwards in the left and right directions. This folding back is designated as the first fold. The first fold is as follows: Figure 8 As shown, the two ends (20Ea, 20Eb) can be folded towards the ventral side of the waist portion 20 (30) or towards the back side. In this embodiment, the ends are folded towards the ventral side.

[0098] In the first fold, regardless of whether the two ends (20Ea, 20Eb) of the waistband 20 (30) are folded towards the ventral or dorsal side of the waistband 20 (30), the thickness of the inwardly folded portion increases as the two ends (20Ea, 20Eb) of the waistband 20 (30) are folded back in the left-right direction. Furthermore, in the stored state of the diaper 1, this thicker portion easily comes into contact with other adjacent diapers 1 within the storage member 101. The portion where the central elastic member 17 is located is thinner than the portion where the two ends (20Ea, 20Eb) are folded back; therefore, even if multiple diapers 1 are overlapped and compressed, the portion where the central elastic member 17 is located is less likely to come into contact with other diapers 1. Thus, the possibility of the central elastic member 17 sticking to other diapers 1 due to leaked adhesive can be reduced.

[0099] Next, after folding the two ends (20Ea, 20Eb) towards the ventral or dorsal side, the two ends (20Ea, 20Eb) are folded back either in a manner that overlaps when viewed in the thickness direction, or in a manner that does not overlap. In this embodiment, as... Figure 5B As shown, the two ends (20Ea, 20Eb) are folded back in a non-overlapping manner.

[0100] After folding back the two ends (20Ea, 20Eb) of the waist section 20 (30) in the left and right directions, as follows Figure 5C As shown, the vertical end WA of the waist section 20 (30) is folded back to the crotch section 40 side. This folding back is designated as a second fold. The second fold is as follows: Figure 8 As shown, there are two scenarios: when the absorbent body 11 is folded along with the absorbent body 11, and when the absorbent body 11 is not folded. In this embodiment, the absorbent body 11 is not folded during the second fold. In addition, when the vertical end WA of the waist section 20 (30) is folded back, there are two scenarios: when the waist section 20 (30) is folded with the ventral side as the inner side, and when the waist section 20 (30) is folded with the back side as the inner side.

[0101] Thus, by performing the first and second folds on diaper 1 as described above, considering the folding positions for all 16 styles (see...). Figure 8In this embodiment, because the waist portion 20 (30) is folded towards the abdomen in the first fold and the two ends (20Ea, 20Eb) in the left and right directions do not overlap, and the absorbent body 11 is not folded in the second fold but the abdomen is folded inward, therefore, it is similar to... Figure 8 Style 7 is similar. Additionally, according to... Figure 8 In all cases where the 16 folding patterns shown are folded, the risk of adhesive leakage due to compression during the storage state causing the waistband 20 (30) to adhere to the central elastic member 17 or other adjacent diapers 1 to the central elastic member 17 is reduced. Representative examples will be described below.

[0102] Figure 9 This diagram shows a modified example of diaper 1 folded back in its concealed state. Figure 9 As shown, in its stored state, the diaper 1 can also be folded into a repeating portion where the ends 20Ea (30Ea) on one side and 20Eb (30Eb) on the other side overlap when viewed in the thickness direction of the folded waist portion 20 (30). Figure 9 (The center is the direction that runs through the paper). Figure 8 In the table, styles 1-4 and 9-12 are consistent. Furthermore, in... Figure 9 In the modified example shown, the repeating portion has a portion that overlaps with the central elastic member 17 in the left-right direction. When viewed in the thickness direction, the repeating portion where the ends 20Ea (30Ea) and 20Eb (30Eb) overlap is a thicker section. Due to the thickness difference between this thickened section (the repeating portion) and the portion where the central elastic member 17 overlaps in the left-right direction, the repeating portion acts as a pad. Therefore, within the housing member 101, the central elastic member 17, which overlaps with this pad in the left-right direction, is thinner and less susceptible to compression. Consequently, in the housing state, the exudation of adhesive from the central elastic member 17 can be suppressed.

[0103] Figure 10 This is a diagram showing other variations of the diaper 1 folded back in its concealed state. For Figure 10 The diaper 1 shown has its folded waist portion 20 (30) with one end 20Ea (30Ea) and the other end 20Eb (30Eb) in the thickness direction ( Figure 10 When viewed from the direction that runs through the paper, the images do not overlap. Figure 8(The table styles 5-8 and 13-16 are consistent). Furthermore, in the left-right direction, when the area where the central elastic member 17 is disposed is designated as the central elastic region 17G, the two ends 20Eae and 20Ebe (30Eae and 30Ebe) of the waist portion 20 (30) are disposed within the range of the central elastic region 17G. In addition, the aforementioned "central elastic region 17G" refers to the area between the central elastic member 17a located on the far one side and the central elastic member 17e located on the far the other side in the left-right direction.

[0104] In the contained state, firstly, the ends 20Ea and 20Eb of the folded waist portion 20 (30) on one side in the left-right direction do not overlap when viewed in the thickness direction. Therefore, the ends 20Eae and 20Ebe of the waist portion 20 (30) on one side are folded back with a gap SP in the left-right direction. Since both ends (20Eae, 20Ebe) of the waist portion 20 (30) exist within the central elastic region 17G in the left-right direction, the pressure relative to the central elastic region 17G can be suppressed by the aforementioned gap SP. More specifically, even if the two ends (20Ea, 20Eb) of the waist portion 20 (30) overlap with the central elastic region 17G when viewed in the thickness direction ( Figure 10 When a gap SP is left between the end 20Eae on one side and the end 20Ebe on the other side, the pressure of the gap SP becomes weaker under compression. Therefore, the adhesive that seeps out from the central elastic member 17 is difficult to transfer to the waist section 20 (30) in the gap SP.

[0105] On the other hand, when the two ends (20Ea, 20Eb) of the waist portion 20 (30) in the left and right directions do not overlap with the central elastic region 17G when viewed in the thickness direction, and the two ends 20Eae, 20Ebe (30Eae, 30Ebe) of the waist portion 20 (30) in the left and right directions are arranged within the range of the central elastic region 17G, the waist portion 20 (30) becomes thicker by folding back in the left and right directions. Therefore, compared with the part that becomes thicker due to such folding back, the crotch portion 40 becomes thinner, and thus the pressure relative to the crotch portion 40 is weakened. With this configuration, it is easy to prevent the crotch portion 40 from sticking to other diapers 1 due to the leakage of adhesive within the receiving member 101.

[0106] Furthermore, preferably, within the housing member 101, as described above, there are simultaneously: a diaper 1 (first shorts type absorbent article) having overlapping portions in the thickness direction of one side end 20Ea and the other side end 20Eb of the folded-back waist portion 20 (30) in the left-right direction; and other diapers 1 (second shorts type absorbent articles) whose overlapping portions in the thickness direction of one side end 20Ea and the other side end 20Eb of the folded-back waist portion 20 (30) in the left-right direction. Since the size of the housing 100 that can accommodate multiple diapers 1 is fixed, by mixing the diapers 1 (first shorts type absorbent articles) with other diapers 1 (second shorts type absorbent articles), the high-pressure areas are dispersed, and the adhesive is difficult to transfer as a whole.

[0107] Additionally, as described above, in its stored state, the diaper 1 can also be folded back at the position where the absorbent core 11 is folded. Specifically, when performing the second fold, it can also be folded back by bending a portion of the absorbent core 11A (in... Figure 8 (As shown in the table, equivalent to styles 1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 10, 13, and 14). Since the absorbent core 11A is a high-rigidity area, it has a strong rebound force that will be restored. Even when compressed, the portion of the absorbent core 11A that is bent in its contained state will recover through this rebound force, thus suppressing pressure relative to the area where the central elastic member 17 is located. Therefore, it is difficult for defects (breakage or detachment) to occur in the area where the central elastic member 17 is located.

[0108] Additionally, preferably, the CL2 position in the left-right direction of the diaper 1 is the center position ( Figure 5A The average thickness T of the crotch portion 40 at the location is 95% or less of the average thickness of the crotch portion 40 of the diaper 1 in its natural state after being removed from the receiving member 101. More preferably, the average thickness T is 85% or less of the average thickness of the crotch portion 40 of the diaper 1 in its natural state, and even more preferably 75% or less. That is, by increasing the compression ratio, more diapers 1 can be accommodated within the receiving member 101. Furthermore, even when the compression ratio is increased so that adjacent diapers 1 are more closely fitted together, as in this embodiment, by making the distance L1 from the upper end WAe of the waistband portion 20 (30) to the end 40e of the crotch portion 40 greater than the average thickness T of the crotch portion 40, it is possible to prevent the adhesive seeping from the crotch portion 40 (central elastic member 17) of each diaper 1 from sticking together the waistband portion 20 (30) and the central elastic member 17.

[0109] Furthermore, the central elastic member 17 in this embodiment is linear. Because it is linear, compared to cases where adhesive is applied to the entire surface of a wider strip of rubber or a sheet of stretchable raw material (stretchable film, stretchable nonwoven fabric, etc.), the amount of adhesive used to install the central elastic member 17 can be reduced, and the possibility of adhesive seepage during compression can be further reduced.

[0110] return Figure 3 In a pair of waist sections 20 and 30, multiple waist elastic members 23 and 33 that extend and retract in the left and right directions are arranged vertically. Here, the area where the waist elastic members 23 and 33 are arranged, i.e., the area in the abdominal waist section 20 (back waist section 30) from the uppermost waist elastic member 23a (33a) to the lowermost waist elastic member 23e (33e), is designated as the waist elastic region 23G (33G). The area where the central elastic member 17 is arranged, i.e., the area in the crotch section 40 from the central elastic member 17a located on one side in the left and right direction to the central elastic member 17e located on the other side, is designated as the central elastic region 17G. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the amount of adhesive per unit area of ​​the waist elastic region 23G (33G) is less than the amount of adhesive per unit area of ​​the central elastic region 17G. In the contained state, the waist sections 20 and 30 are folded back and become thicker. By reducing the amount of adhesive in the elastic waist area 23G (33G) of such sections, the possibility of adhesive seepage under compression can be reduced.

[0111] In addition, the amount of adhesive per unit area of ​​the waist elastic region 23G (33G) and the central elastic region 17G can be determined, for example, by separating the waist elastic member 23 (33) and the adhesive from the inner layer sheet 21 and the ventral outer layer sheet 22 (dorsal outer layer sheet 32) by the solvent extraction method described below, and measuring the extracted adhesive.

[0112] <Solvent Extraction Method for Adhesives>

[0113] First, in the stretched state, the sheet material (inner layer sheet 21 and ventral outer layer sheet 22 (back outer layer sheet 32)) and the waist elastic member 23 (33) are cut together from the waist elastic region 23G (33G) and the central elastic region 17G, respectively, by a specified area. Next, the sheet material containing the adhesive is mixed with a solvent capable of dissolving the adhesive in a beaker or other container to obtain an adhesive solution in which the adhesive is dissolved. Then, the adhesive solution is extracted from the container, and the solvent is removed from the adhesive solution by vacuum drying using a rotary evaporator, thereby obtaining the adhesive. The amount of adhesive obtained in this way is defined as the amount of adhesive per unit area. The solvent used to dissolve the adhesive can be appropriately selected according to the type of adhesive, etc. In the case where the adhesive to be measured is, for example, a hot melt adhesive, toluene, methyl ethyl ketone, or heptane can be used as an example of a solvent used to dissolve the adhesive.

[0114] return Figure 6 In the diaper 1 in its stored state, the crotch portion 40, in the thickness direction, has the side where the folded-back waistband 20 exists designated as the folded-back inner side 40a, and the opposite side designated as the folded-back outer side 40b. In this case, the vertical length of the central elastic member 17 is longer on the folded-back inner side 40a than on the folded-back outer side 40b. Because the length of the central elastic member 17 on the folded-back outer side 40b is shorter, the risk of other diapers 1 and the central elastic member 17 adjacent to the folded-back outer side 40b sticking together within the storage member 101 is reduced.

[0115] Figure 11 This is a diagram illustrating another variation of the folding back of diaper 1. In Figure 11 In the modified example of diaper 1, when the second fold is performed, the fold is made so that the inside of the fold becomes the back side. Figure 8 The table styles 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16 are consistent. The central elastic member 17, similar to that in this embodiment, extends from the front side across the central line CL1 and toward the rear side in the longitudinal direction at the central portion of the absorbent body 10 in the left-right direction. Specifically, the length of the central elastic member 17 in the longitudinal direction is greater at the front than at the rear. Therefore, in Figure 11 In the diaper 1's stored state, the crotch portion 40 has the side containing the folded waist portion 30 designated as the folded-back inner side 40a in the thickness direction, and the opposite side designated as the folded-back outer side 40b. In this case, the vertical length of the central elastic member 17 is longer on the folded-back outer side 40b than on the folded-back inner side 40a. Because the central elastic member 17 is shorter on the folded-back inner side 40a, the risk of other diapers 1 adjacent to the folded-back inner side 40a sticking to the central elastic member 17 within the storage member 101 is reduced.

[0116] Figure 12 This is a partially enlarged view of the ventral waist section 20 in its unfolded and extended state. While the ventral waist section 20 will be described here, the dorsal waist section 30 also has the same configuration. As described above, the pair of waist sections 20 and 30 of the diaper 1 are joined on both sides in the left-right direction by a pair of lateral joining sections SS. Furthermore, on the pair of waist sections 20 and 30, multiple waist elastic members 23 and 33, which extend and retract in the left-right direction, are arranged vertically and fixed with adhesive. And, as... Figure 12 As shown, the area R adjacent to the upper end 20ta (i.e., the waist opening BH) of the abdominal waistband 20 in the vertical direction and the inner end SSe of the side joint SS in the horizontal direction is an area where the adhesive for fixing the waistband elastic member 23 is not applied. Furthermore, this area R is encompassed by the two ends 20E of the abdominal waistband 20 in the horizontal direction, which are folded back inwards during storage. Even if the folded ends 20E are close to or overlap with the central elastic member 17 in the stored state, the presence of the area R without adhesive reduces the likelihood of the adhesive from the central elastic member 17 seeping out and bonding with the adhesive of the waistband elastic member 23. This prevents damage to the diaper 1 and the detachment of the elastic members.

[0117] Furthermore, the region R adjacent to the inner end SSe in the left and right directions of the lateral joint SS is not limited to the region where the adhesive for fixing the waist elastic member 23 is not applied. Region R may also have a low-base region where the basis weight (weight per unit area) of the adhesive is lower than that in the left and right directions. Since the low-base region with low adhesive basis weight exists in region R, even if the two folded-back ends 20E are close to or overlap with the central elastic member 17 in the housed state, it is possible to prevent the adhesive of the central elastic member 17 and the adhesive of the waist elastic member 23 from adhering together due to seepage.

[0118] In addition, such as Figure 12As shown, the region R adjacent to the inner end SSe in the left-right direction of the side joint SS is not limited to the upper end 20ta in the vertical direction of the abdominal waist circumference 20, but is the entire region covering the area that overlaps with the side joint SS in the vertical direction, where no adhesive for fixing the waist elastic member 23 is applied. Furthermore, it is not limited to this; for example, the region R may also be a low-weight region where the basis weight of the adhesive is lower than that in the inner part of the region R in the left-right direction, covering the entire region that overlaps with the side joint SS in the vertical direction. In the housed state, the entire region covering the area that overlaps with the side joint SS in the vertical direction is included in the two ends 20E in the left-right direction of the abdominal waist circumference 20, which are folded back inward in the left-right direction. Therefore, even if the two folded ends 20E are close to or overlap with the central elastic member 17 in the housed state, because there are low-weight areas R with no adhesive or low-weight areas with low adhesive, it is assumed that even if the fold (second fold) of the waistband 20 becomes deeper, the adhesive of the central elastic member 17 and the adhesive of the waistband elastic member 23 can be prevented from seeping out and sticking. As a result, damage to the diaper 1 or the detachment of each elastic member can be prevented.

[0119] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the ventral waist portion 20 has an inner layer sheet 21 and a ventral outer layer sheet 22 (outer layer sheet) disposed on the non-skin side relative to the inner layer sheet 21, and the dorsal waist portion 30 has an inner layer sheet 21 and a dorsal outer layer sheet 32 ​​(outer layer sheet) disposed on the non-skin side relative to the inner layer sheet 21. Moreover, at least one of these two waist portions 20 and 30 may also have a sheet portion disposed on the side closest to the skin. In this embodiment, the folded-back portion 22r (32r) of the ventral outer layer sheet 22 (dorsal outer layer sheet 32) is a sheet portion. This sheet portion (folded-back portion 22r (32r)) is fixed to the inner layer sheet 21 using an adhesive. Furthermore, in Figure 12In the region R shown, which is adjacent to the inner end SSe of the lateral joint SS in the left-right direction, the portion that overlaps with the sheet portion (folded-back portion 22r (32r)) when viewed in the thickness direction is the area where the adhesive for fixing the sheet portion (folded-back portion 22r (32r)) is not applied. In addition, it is not limited to the area where the adhesive for fixing is not applied; the portion of region R that overlaps with the sheet portion (folded-back portion 22r (32r)) when viewed in the thickness direction may also have a low basis weight region where the basis weight of the adhesive is lower than that in the left-right direction. The region R is the area encompassed by the two ends 20E of the ventral waist portion 20 which is folded back in the left and right directions when it is housed. Therefore, even if the two ends 20E are close to or overlap with the central elastic member 17 in the housed state, since there is a region R (or a region R with a low base weight) where no adhesive is applied, the adhesive of the central elastic member 17 that seeps out can be reduced from bonding with the adhesive of the sheet portion (folded-back portion 22r (32r)).

[0120] Furthermore, the aforementioned sheet portion is not limited to the folded-back portion 22r (32r), and may, for example, be a sheet member different from the inner sheet 21 and the ventral outer sheet 22 (dorsal outer sheet 32). As an example, the end portion 10et (refer to) spanning the length direction of the absorbent body 10 can be cited. Figure 3 A cover sheet (not shown) is configured in a manner that is fixed to the inner layer sheet 21 (and the absorbent body 10) using an adhesive. Furthermore, it is preferable that... Figure 12 In the region R adjacent to the inner end SSe in the left-right direction of the lateral joint SS shown, the portion overlapping with such a sheet (cover) when viewed in the thickness direction is either an area where the adhesive used to fix the sheet (cover) is not applied, or a low-weight area where the adhesive basis weight is lower than that in the left-right direction. Therefore, even if the two folded-back ends 20E are close to or overlap with the central elastic member 17 in the housed state, the presence of the unapplied adhesive region R (or the low-weight region R) reduces the likelihood of adhesive seepage from the central elastic member 17 and the sheet (cover) bonding.

[0121] In this embodiment, a plurality of waist elastic members 23 and 33 that extend and retract in the left and right directions are arranged in a vertical direction in the pair of waist portions 20 and 30. However, it is preferable that the force required for the waist elastic members 23 and 33 to extend a unit length in the left and right directions from their natural state is greater than the force required for the central elastic member 17 to extend a unit length in the vertical direction from its natural state. Since the force required for the waist elastic members 23 and 33 to extend a unit length is large (so-called large contraction force), the waist portions 20 and 30 generate more wrinkles when the waist elastic members 23 and 33 contract. Because there are many wrinkles, even in the contained state where the waist portions 20 and 30 are folded back and compressed, the compression can be reduced by the wrinkles, and the adhesion between the waist portions 20 and 30 and the crotch portion 40 due to the seepage of adhesive can be prevented.

[0122] Furthermore, the comparison between the force required to extend the waist elastic members 23 and 33 by a unit length in the left-right direction from their natural state and the force required to extend the central elastic member 17 by a unit length in the up-down direction from its natural state can be made by the following method.

[0123] First, in the extended state, the waist elastic member 23 (33) is cut to a predetermined length and removed from the waist portion 20 (30). Additionally, in the extended state, the central elastic member 17 is cut to a predetermined length and removed from the crotch portion 40. Furthermore, if the elastic member is sheet-like, it is cut to a predetermined width (e.g., 10 mm). If all are linear, a certain length (e.g., 100 mm) is marked in the stretching direction of the elastic member for each piece, and the cut includes the marked portion.

[0124] Next, for the removed waist elastic member 23 (33) and central elastic member 17, the initial interval of the pair of grippers separated in the tensile direction of the tensile testing machine is adjusted to correspond to the length of the sample (adjusted to a length where the sample is not loose or is slightly loose), and fixed so that the marked position is the inner end of the gripper. (In addition, the width of the gripper holding the sample is constant.) Starting from the state where the two ends (marked parts) of the sample are fixed by the grippers, the load obtained when the sample is elongated by separating the grippers by a unit length (e.g., 70% of the marked length) can be measured, and the measured values ​​can be compared. In addition, in the case where the sample contains multiple linear elastic members, the values ​​obtained by converting them to the value of one member after measurement can be compared with each other.

[0125] ===Other===

[0126] The above-described embodiments are configurations designed to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The present invention can be modified and improved without departing from its concept, and its equivalents are also included.

[0127] 1. Shorts-style disposable diapers (shorts-style absorbent items)

[0128] 1a Shorts-type disposable diapers 1b Shorts-style disposable diapers

[0129] 10 Absorbent Subject

[0130] 11 Absorbers

[0131] 11A Absorbent Core

[0132] 11B core-coated wafer

[0133] 12 Top Films

[0134] 13 Backing film

[0135] 14 outer packaging plates

[0136] 16 Elastic members

[0137] 17, 17a, 17e Central elastic members

[0138] 17G Central Flexible Area

[0139] 18 outer body

[0140] 19 Lateral images

[0141] 20. Waist area (abdominal waist area)

[0142] The two ends in the left and right directions of 20E

[0143] 20Ea End of one side

[0144] 20Eae The end of one side

[0145] 20Eb The other end

[0146] 20Ebe The other end

[0147] 20K Turnback Section

[0148] 20ta upper end

[0149] 21 Inner Layer

[0150] 22. Ventral outer layer

[0151] 22r return section

[0152] 23, 23a, 23e Waist elastic members

[0153] 23G waist elastic zone

[0154] 30 Waist area (back waist area)

[0155] 30E both ends

[0156] 30Ea End of one side

[0157] 30Eae The end of one side

[0158] 30Eb The other end

[0159] 30Ebe The other end

[0160] 30K Turnback Section

[0161] 32. Dorsal outer layer

[0162] 32r return section

[0163] 33, 33a, 33e Waist elastic members

[0164] 33G waist elasticity zone

[0165] 34 Rear leg elastic component

[0166] 40. Lower groin area

[0167] 40a Fold back to the inside

[0168] 40b Fold back to the outside

[0169] 40e The end point in the vertical direction

[0170] 50 Leak-proof wall section

[0171] 100 Containment Entities (Containment Entities of Shorts-Type Absorbent Items)

[0172] 101 Containment Components

Claims

1. A housing for a shorts-type absorbent article, the housing having a plurality of shorts-type absorbent articles and a housing member for housing the plurality of shorts-type absorbent articles, characterized in that, The above-mentioned shorts-type absorbent items have: The vertical, horizontal, and thickness directions are mutually orthogonal. A pair of waist areas; The area located under the wearer's crotch when worn; and A central elastic member that is installed in the central part of the lower part of the crotch in the left-right direction using an adhesive and can extend and retract in the vertical direction. In the containment state within the aforementioned containment components The aforementioned vertical ends of the waist section are folded back towards the crotch area. The vertical end of the folded-back waist portion does not extend beyond the vertical end of the crotch portion. The aforementioned multiple shorts-shaped absorbent items are compressed in a state of overlapping in the aforementioned thickness direction. In at least one of the aforementioned shorts-type absorbent articles, the distance from the end of the waist portion at the central position in the left-right direction to the end of the crotch portion is greater than the average thickness of the crotch portion.

2. The containment of the shorts-type absorbent article as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Let the above distance be the length L1. Under the aforementioned containment conditions At the center position in the left-right direction of another shorts-type absorbent garment adjacent to the aforementioned shorts-type absorbent garment in the thickness direction, the distance from the vertical end of the folded-back waist portion to the vertical end of the crotch portion is defined as length L2. The length L2 is different from the length L1, and is at least half the length of L1, or less than 1.5 times the length of L1.

3. The containment of the shorts-type absorbent article as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The aforementioned average thickness is less than 95% of the average thickness of the crotch portion of the aforementioned shorts-type absorbent article in its natural state after being removed from the aforementioned receiving member.

4. The containment of the shorts-type absorbent article as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The aforementioned central elastic component is linear.

5. The containment of the shorts-type absorbent article as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, In the aforementioned pair of waist sections, a plurality of waist elastic members are arranged in the aforementioned vertical direction and extend and retract in the aforementioned horizontal direction. The amount of adhesive per unit area of ​​the waist elastic region where the aforementioned waist elastic member is configured is less than the amount of adhesive per unit area of ​​the central elastic region where the aforementioned central elastic member is configured.

6. The containment of the shorts-type absorbent article as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, In the aforementioned containment state, the upper end of the waist portion, which is folded back towards the crotch side, does not overlap with the central elastic member when viewed in the aforementioned thickness direction.

7. The containment of the shorts-type absorbent article as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, In the aforementioned containment state, the two ends of the waist section in the left and right directions are folded back towards the inside in the left and right directions.

8. The containment of the shorts-type absorbent article as described in claim 7, characterized in that, In the aforementioned contained state, the overlapping portions of one end of the folded-back waist section in the left-right direction and the other end of the folded-back waist section when viewed in the thickness direction are repeated. The aforementioned repeating portion has a portion that overlaps with the aforementioned central elastic member in the aforementioned left-right direction.

9. The containment of the shorts-type absorbent article as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that, Under the aforementioned containment conditions When viewed in the thickness direction, the ends of the folded-back waist section on one side in the left-right direction and the other side do not overlap. In the aforementioned left-right direction, when the area where the aforementioned central elastic member is disposed is designated as the central elastic region, both ends of the aforementioned waist portion are disposed within the range of the aforementioned central elastic region.

10. The containment of the shorts-type absorbent article as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that, The following exist within the aforementioned housing component: A first type of absorbent shorts, wherein, in the aforementioned stored state, the ends of one side of the folded-back waist portion in the left-right direction overlap with the ends of the other side when viewed in the aforementioned thickness direction; and The second shorts-type absorbent article, in the aforementioned containment state, ensures that the end of one side of the folded-back waist portion in the left-right direction does not overlap with the end of the other side when viewed in the aforementioned thickness direction.

11. The containment of the shorts-type absorbent article as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, In the aforementioned storage state, the crotch portion is designated as the inner fold side (with the waist portion folded back in the thickness direction) and the opposite side (with the outer folded back). The length of the central elastic member in the vertical direction is greater on the inner side of the fold than on the outer side of the fold.

12. The containment of the shorts-type absorbent article as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, In the aforementioned storage state, the side of the crotch portion where the waist portion has a fold in the thickness direction is designated as the folded-back inner side, and the opposite side is designated as the folded-back outer side. The vertical length of the aforementioned central elastic member is greater on the outer side of the aforementioned fold than on the inner side of the aforementioned fold.

13. The containment of the shorts-type absorbent article as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, In the aforementioned containment state, when the portion of the waistband that is folded back towards the crotch area is designated as the folded-back portion... The aforementioned folded portion has a portion that overlaps with at least a portion of the aforementioned central elastic member when viewed in the aforementioned thickness direction.

14. The containment of the shorts-type absorbent article as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The aforementioned pair of waist sections are joined by a pair of side joints on both sides in the left-right direction. In the aforementioned pair of waist sections, multiple elastic waist components that extend and retract in the aforementioned left-right direction are arranged and fixed in the aforementioned vertical direction using adhesive. The region of the upper end of the pair of waist portions in the vertical direction that is adjacent to the inner end of the pair of side joints in the horizontal direction has: a region where the adhesive for fixing the elastic member of the waist is not applied, or a low-weight region where the basis weight of the adhesive is lower than that in the horizontal direction. In the aforementioned containment state, the two ends of the pair of waist sections in the left and right directions are folded back towards the inside in the left and right directions.

15. The containment of the shorts-type absorbent article as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that, The area adjacent to the inner ends of the aforementioned pair of lateral joints in the left-right direction, covering the entire area that overlaps with the aforementioned lateral joints in the up-down direction, includes: areas where the adhesive used to fix the aforementioned waist elastic member is not applied, or low-weight areas where the basis weight of the adhesive is lower than that in the left-right direction. In the aforementioned containment state, the two ends of the pair of waist sections in the left and right directions are folded back towards the inside in the left and right directions.

16. The containment of the shorts-type absorbent article as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The aforementioned pair of waist sections are joined by a pair of side joints on both sides in the left-right direction. The aforementioned pair of waist panels have an inner layer and an outer layer positioned on the non-skin side compared to the inner layer. A piece having a portion positioned on the skin-facing side of at least one of the aforementioned pair of waist portions. The aforementioned sheet is fixed to the aforementioned inner sheet using an adhesive. The regions adjacent to the inner ends of the aforementioned pair of lateral joints in the left-right direction and the portions overlapping the aforementioned sheet when viewed in the thickness direction include: regions where the adhesive used to fix the aforementioned sheet is not applied, or low-weight regions where the basis weight of the adhesive is lower than that in the left-right direction. In the aforementioned containment state, the two ends of the pair of waist sections in the left and right directions are folded back towards the inside in the left and right directions.

17. The containment of the shorts-type absorbent article as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The aforementioned shorts-type absorbent articles have an absorbent body with an absorbent core. In the aforementioned containment state, a portion of the absorbent core is bent.

18. The containment of the shorts-type absorbent article as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, In the aforementioned pair of waist sections, a plurality of waist elastic members are arranged in the aforementioned vertical direction and extend and retract in the aforementioned horizontal direction. The force required to cause the waist elastic member to extend by a unit length in the left-right direction from its natural state is greater than the force required to cause the central elastic member to extend by a unit length in the up-down direction from its natural state.

Images