Absorbent article

Abstract

The utility model provides an absorptive article, which is characterized in that an absorber (4) is provided with a longitudinal sunken part (7) which is sunken from a skin opposite surface to a non-skin opposite surface and extends in the longitudinal direction (X), and the longitudinal sunken part (7) comprises a first longitudinal sunken part (71) positioned in a rear area (R) and a second longitudinal sunken part (72) positioned in an excretion part opposite area (M). The interval (W71) between the pair of first longitudinal recesses (71, 71) in the transverse direction Y gradually becomes shorter from the longitudinal direction X toward the rear of the longitudinal direction X, and has a non-zero shortest interval at the longitudinal rear end (71R) of the first longitudinal recess (71). The length (W4) in the lateral direction (Y) of a portion of the absorber (4) that is located at the same position in the longitudinal direction (X) as the longitudinal rear end (71R) of the first longitudinal recess (71) is shorter than the maximum length in the lateral direction (Y) of the absorber (4).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to an absorbent article which is worn on the crotch and used for absorbing excrement. Background Art

[0002] As a female absorbent article represented by sanitary napkins, there is known an absorbent article including an absorbent body that absorbs and retains excreta such as menstrual blood, and a wing portion that extends outward from the outer edge of the absorbent body and forms the outline of the absorbent article, and an absorbent article having a front sheet forming the skin-facing surface and a recessed portion formed by the absorbent body being integrally recessed toward the non-skin-facing surface on the skin-facing surface. Typically, the recessed portion is formed by compressing the skin-facing surface of the absorbent article, and is also called a compression portion. The recessed portion is provided for the purpose of controlling the movement of excreta on the skin-facing surface of the absorbent article to prevent leakage, guiding the appropriate deformation of the absorbent body when the absorbent article is worn, and improving the fit, and various shapes of structures corresponding to the purpose are proposed. For example, in the urine-absorbing pad described in Patent Document 1, as an embossing (recessed portion) that can prevent the leakage of low-viscosity excreta such as urine, a structure including multiple pairs of linear embossings provided in the longitudinal front and rear regions and the two ends of the transverse direction of the absorbent article is adopted. In addition, the "longitudinal direction" mentioned here is a direction corresponding to the front-back direction of the wearer of the absorbent article, and the "lateral direction" is a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0003] Patent document 2 discloses an absorbent article having a plurality of pairs of linear depressions extending in the longitudinal direction arranged from the longitudinal central region to the rear region on the skin-opposing surface. The lateral spacing between one depression and another depression in the pair of depressions gradually decreases as the distance goes to the rear in the longitudinal direction, and the two depressions are connected to each other at their rear longitudinal ends. The absorbent article disclosed in patent document 2 improves the fit at the buttocks behind the excretion opening of the wearer, and can also suppress leakage of menstrual blood and the like to the rear.

[0004] Patent document 3 discloses an absorbent article capable of alleviating irritation to the skin near the sacrum of a wearer, wherein the absorbent article has a pair of hip wings extending greatly outward in the horizontal direction from both side edges of the absorbent body along the longitudinal direction in the rear region, and a pair of rear compression parts spaced apart in the horizontal direction on the skin-opposing surface of the rear region. The pair of rear compression parts are located at a position longitudinally rearward of the maximum width of the hip wings, and the horizontal spacing between one rear compression part and the other rear compression part gradually increases as the distance goes to the rear in the longitudinal direction.

[0005] Prior art literature

[0006] Patent Literature

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-181080

[0008] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-223215

[0009] Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-328 Summary of the invention

[0010] The utility model relates to an absorbent article, which has an absorbent body capable of absorbing and retaining body fluids, and has a longitudinal direction corresponding to the front-to-back direction of a wearer and a transverse direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, and has an excretion portion relative area arranged relative to the excretion portion of the wearer when worn, a front area arranged at a position forward of the longitudinal direction than the excretion portion relative area, and a rear area arranged at a position rearward of the longitudinal direction than the excretion portion relative area.

[0011] In one embodiment, it is preferable to include a wing portion extending outward from the outer edge of the absorbent body and forming the outline of the absorbent article.

[0012] In one embodiment, the absorbent body has a longitudinal depression that is recessed from the skin-opposing surface to the non-skin-opposing surface and extends in the longitudinal direction, and the longitudinal depression includes a first longitudinal depression located at least in the rear area and a second longitudinal depression located at least in the area opposite to the excretion part, and a pair of the two longitudinal depressions are respectively separated by a horizontal center line that divides the absorbent article into two equal parts in the horizontal direction and extends imaginarily in the longitudinal direction.

[0013] In one embodiment, the lateral interval between the pair of first longitudinal recessed portions preferably gradually shortens as it goes toward the rear in the longitudinal direction, and has a non-zero shortest interval at the longitudinal rear end of the first longitudinal recessed portions.

[0014] In one embodiment, it is preferred that a portion of the absorbent body that is located at the same position as the rear end of the first longitudinal recessed portion in the longitudinal direction has a length in the transverse direction that is shorter than a maximum length of the absorbent body in the transverse direction.

[0015] Other features, effects and embodiments of the present invention are described below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic plan view of the skin-opposing side of a sanitary napkin as one embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 It is along Figure 1 Schematic cross-sectional view of the cross section along line II (the cross section along the thickness direction and the transverse direction of the sanitary napkin).

[0018] Figure 3 middle, Figure 3 (a) is Figure 1 A schematic plan view of the skin-opposite side of the rear area of ​​a sanitary napkin shown in FIG. Figure 3 (b) is Figure 3 A partial enlarged view of (a).

[0019] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 The shown schematic cross-sectional views are cross-sectional views of the sanitary napkin in the worn state along the thickness direction and the transverse direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The utility model relates to an absorbent article having excellent fit to the body of a wearer.

[0021] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on its preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in the following description of the accompanying drawings, the same or similar parts are marked with the same or similar reference numerals. The accompanying drawings are basically schematic, and the ratio of each dimension is sometimes different from the actual.

[0022] Figure 1 to Figure 3 A sanitary napkin 1 (hereinafter also referred to as "sanitary napkin 1") is shown as one embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention. The sanitary napkin 1 has a longitudinal direction X corresponding to the front-back direction of the wearer and extending from the front side (ventral side) of the wearer through the crotch to the rear side (dorsal side) and a lateral direction Y orthogonal to the longitudinal direction X.

[0023] In the present invention, “longitudinal front” refers to a position further forward (abdomen of the wearer) than a reference position in the longitudinal direction, and “longitudinal rear” refers to a position further rearward (back side of the wearer) than a reference position in the longitudinal direction.

[0024] In this embodiment, if Figure 1 As shown, the sanitary napkin 1 is long in the longitudinal direction X, and its length direction is consistent with the longitudinal direction X.

[0025] In this embodiment, the sanitary napkin 1 is formed symmetrically on one side and the other side with respect to the transverse center line CLy. Figure 1 The sanitary napkin 1 in the unfolded state shown is divided into two equal parts in the transverse direction Y and an imaginary straight line extending in the longitudinal direction X.

[0026] The sanitary napkin 1 has an absorbent body 4 that can absorb and retain body fluids (menstrual blood, urine, feces, sweat, etc.). In addition, the sanitary napkin 1 preferably also has a liquid-permeable front sheet 2 that can contact the wearer's skin and a leak-proof back sheet 3. In this case, Figure 2As shown, the absorbent body 4 is arranged between the front sheet 2 and the back sheet 3. In the sanitary napkin 1, the front sheet 2 covers the entire area of ​​the skin-opposite surface of the absorbent body 4, and the back sheet 3 covers the entire area of ​​the non-skin-opposite surface of the absorbent body 4. As the two sheets 2, 3, the sheets commonly used in such absorbent articles can be used without special restrictions. As the front sheet 2, various sheets with liquid permeability can be used, for example, nonwoven fabrics, woven fabrics, and paper can be listed. As the back sheet 3, a sheet with leakproofness can be used, specifically, a sheet with liquid impermeability (the property of not permeating liquid at all) or liquid difficulty permeability (although it cannot be said to be liquid impermeability, it is difficult to permeate the property of liquid) can be used, for example, a resin film with moisture permeability, a laminate of the resin film and a nonwoven fabric can be cited.

[0027] In this embodiment, if Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , a pair of side panels 5, 5 are arranged on both sides of the skin-facing surface of the sanitary napkin 1 (the skin-facing surface of the front sheet 2) along the longitudinal direction X. The pair of side panels 5, 5 are arranged to overlap with both sides of the absorbent body 4 along the longitudinal direction X in a plan view and to extend over substantially the entire length of the longitudinal direction X. In the side panels 5, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown, the outer side of the side piece 5 along the two sides of the longitudinal direction X, including the outer side edge located outside the transverse direction Y, is formed as a fixed edge fixed to other components (in the illustrated embodiment, it is the back sheet 3), and the inner side including the inner side edge located inside the transverse direction Y is formed as a free edge not fixed to other components. When the sanitary napkin 1 is worn, the above-mentioned free edge of the side piece 5 stands up to the skin side of the wearer, thereby preventing excrement such as menstrual blood from flowing out to the outside of the transverse direction Y. As the side piece 5, a sheet with leakage prevention similar to the back sheet 3 can be used.

[0028] In the present invention, the "skin-opposing surface" refers to the surface of the absorbent article or its component (e.g., absorber 4) that faces the skin side of the wearer when the absorbent article is worn, that is, the outer surface on the side relatively close to the skin of the wearer. In addition, the "non-skin-opposing surface" refers to the side of the absorbent article or its component that faces the skin side when the absorbent article is worn, that is, the outer surface on the side relatively far from the skin of the wearer. In addition, "when worn" here refers to the state of maintaining the normal appropriate wearing position, that is, the correct wearing position of the absorbent article.

[0029] like Figure 1 As shown, the sanitary napkin 1 has an excretion area M relative to the wearer's excretion area, a front area F located in front of the excretion area M in the longitudinal direction X (ventral side), and a rear area R located in the rear of the excretion area M in the longitudinal direction X (dorsal side).

[0030] In the present utility model, "the area opposite to the excretion part" refers to an area in the absorbent body configuration area of ​​the absorbent article (the area overlapping with the absorbent body when viewed from above) that includes the excretion part opposite portion that is arranged opposite to the excretion part. The above-mentioned "excretion part" refers to the part where the body fluids (menstrual blood, urine, feces, sweat, etc.) of the wearer of the absorbent article are excreted, typically the vaginal opening, penis or anus, which varies depending on the purpose of the absorbent article, etc. The above-mentioned "excretion part opposite portion" refers to an area in the absorbent article that overlaps with the above-mentioned excretion part when viewed from above when worn. The above-mentioned excretion part opposite region may be, for example, the entire area in the absorbent body configuration area of ​​the absorbent article that is at the same position in the longitudinal direction as the above-mentioned excretion part opposite portion (the area that overlaps with the projection image when the above-mentioned excretion part opposite portion is projected horizontally). In the case where the absorbent article is an absorbent article for women such as a sanitary napkin 1 or a panty liner, its excretion part opposite region refers to an area that is arranged opposite to the vaginal opening when worn.

[0031] The boundary between the front region F and the excretion region M (the front end of the excretion region M in the longitudinal direction X) is typically present at a position 10% to 40% of the total length of the sanitary napkin 1 in the longitudinal direction X from the front end 1F of the sanitary napkin 1 and the rear of the sanitary napkin 1 in the longitudinal direction X. In addition, the boundary between the rear region R and the excretion region M (the rear end of the excretion region M in the longitudinal direction X) is typically present at a position 10% to 40% of the total length of the sanitary napkin 1 in the longitudinal direction X from the rear end 1R of the sanitary napkin 1 and the front of the sanitary napkin 1 in the longitudinal direction X. The "full length of the sanitary napkin 1 in the longitudinal direction X" mentioned here refers to the length of the longitudinal front end 1F and the longitudinal rear end 1R of the sanitary napkin 1 along the longitudinal direction X in the natural state (state without external force applied).

[0032] The absorbent body 4 includes at least an absorbent core 40. In the present embodiment, the absorbent core 40 has a shape that is long in the longitudinal direction X in a plan view, and the longitudinal direction thereof coincides with the longitudinal direction X of the sanitary napkin 1.

[0033] The absorbent core 40 constitutes the main body of the absorbent body 4, and can absorb and retain body fluids by containing a water-absorbent material. Examples of the water-absorbent material include water-absorbent fibers and water-absorbent polymers, and one of them can be used alone or in combination of two or more. Examples of the water-absorbent fiber include natural fibers such as wood pulp and hydrophilic fibers such as hydrophilic synthetic fibers. Examples of the water-absorbent polymer include water-absorbent polymers used in such absorbent bodies in the prior art without particular limitation, and examples include polymers or copolymers of acrylic acid or alkali metal salts of acrylic acid.

[0034] The absorbent core 40 may be a fiber accumulation type or a sheet type. The fiber accumulation type absorbent core typically has a structure in which an aggregate of fiber materials such as absorbent fibers is the main body, and absorbent polymer particles are carried on the aggregate as needed. The fiber accumulation type absorbent core can be manufactured in a conventional manner using a known fiber accumulation device having a rotating drum. On the other hand, the sheet type absorbent core typically has a structure in which absorbent polymer particles are fixed inside or on the surface of a fiber sheet, and is also referred to as an absorbent sheet. As the fiber sheet, for example, paper, nonwoven fabric, etc. can be used. The sheet type absorbent core is thinner and softer than the fiber accumulation type absorbent core. The sheet type absorbent core may, for example, have a structure in which absorbent polymer particles are arranged between two opposing fiber sheets.

[0035] In this embodiment, if Figure 2 As shown, the absorbent body 4 includes, in addition to the absorbent core 40, a liquid-permeable core sheet 41 covering the outer surface (skin-opposite side and non-skin-opposite side) of the absorbent core 40. The core sheet 41 is used for the purpose of improving the shape retention of the absorbent core 40, preventing the absorbent polymer particles and other materials forming the absorbent core 40 from falling off, and is typically made of paper, permeable nonwoven fabric, etc. The core sheet 41 can be composed of only one sheet or a plurality of sheets. The absorbent core 40 and the core sheet 41 can also be joined by an adhesive such as a hot-melt adhesive.

[0036] In this embodiment, if Figure 2 As shown, the absorbent body 4 has a fiber block layer 42 mainly composed of a fiber block 11 containing non-absorbent fibers in the excretion relative region M. The fiber block layer 42 is covered by the core packing 41 together with the absorbent core 40. In addition, in the present embodiment, the fiber block layer 42 is arranged only in the entire region of the excretion relative region M, and the arrangement region of the fiber block layer 42 is the excretion relative region M. The non-arrangement region of the fiber block layer 42 in the absorbent body 4 (the portion located in the front region F and the rear region R of the absorbent body 4) has the absorbent core 40 but does not have the fiber block layer 42. Therefore, the arrangement region of the fiber block layer 42 is thicker and larger in volume than the non-arrangement region of the fiber block layer 42. Due to the difference in thickness of the absorbent body 4 caused by the presence or absence of the fiber block layer 42, the excretion relative region M, which is the arrangement region of the fiber block layer 42, is raised on the skin-facing side compared to the front region F and the rear region R, which are the non-arrangement regions of the fiber block layer 42, forming a so-called middle high portion.

[0037] When the fiber block layer 42 is present in the region between the lateral recessed portions sandwiched by the first lateral recessed portion 81 and the second lateral recessed portion 82 described later, the compression recovery property of the region between the lateral recessed portions is higher than the compression recovery property of the region adjacent to the region between the lateral recessed portions in the longitudinal direction X due to the presence of the fiber block layer 42. The fiber block layer 42 will be described in detail later.

[0038] like Figure 1 As shown, the sanitary napkin 1 has wing portions 6 extending outward from the outer edge (peripheral edge) of the absorbent body 4 and forming the outline of the sanitary napkin 1. The wing portions 6 are regions where the absorbent body 4 is not arranged.

[0039] In the present embodiment, the wing portion 6 is composed of components arranged in a manner that the outer edge of the absorbent body 4 is spanned inside and outside, and in the illustrated manner, is composed of one or more of the front sheet 2, the back sheet 3, and the side sheet 5. The multiple components constituting the wing portion 6 are joined to each other by bonding means such as adhesives, heat-based or ultrasonic welding, etc. In the present embodiment, an edge seal portion 60 is formed by welding the outer edge portion of the wing portion 6 (the outer edge of the wing portion 6 and its vicinity) around the entire circumference.

[0040] The wing portion 6 includes: a pair of side wing portions 6S, 6S located outside the transverse direction Y relative to a pair of imaginary straight lines VL, VL passing through the outermost ends of the absorber 4 in the transverse direction Y and extending in the longitudinal direction X as a reference; a front wing portion 6F located inside the transverse direction Y relative to the reference and in the front region F; and a rear wing portion 6R located inside the transverse direction Y relative to the reference and in the rear region R. The “outermost ends of the absorber in the transverse direction Y” are portions located outside the transverse direction Y on one side and the other side of the absorber 4, respectively, and in the present embodiment are a pair of side edges 4S, 4S of the absorber 4 along the longitudinal direction.

[0041] Typically, a fixing portion (not shown) for fixing the sanitary napkin 1 to the wearer's clothing is disposed on the non-skin facing surface (non-skin facing surface of the back sheet 3) of the sanitary napkin 1. As the fixing portion, any fixing portion used in the prior art as a means for fixing such an absorbent article to clothing such as shorts can be used without particular limitation, and for example, an adhesive, a pressure-sensitive adhesive, etc. can be used.

[0042] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the absorbent body 4 has a longitudinal recessed portion 7 that is recessed from the skin-opposing surface to the non-skin-opposing surface and extends in the longitudinal direction X. The longitudinal recessed portion 7 includes a first longitudinal recessed portion 71 located at least in the rear region R, and a second longitudinal recessed portion 72 located at least in the excretion region M. A pair of the two longitudinal recessed portions 71 and 72 exist on both sides of the transverse center line CLy of the sanitary napkin 1.

[0043] In this embodiment, if Figure 1 As shown, the absorbent body 4 further has a transverse depression 8 that is depressed from the skin-opposing surface to the non-skin-opposing surface and extends in the transverse direction Y. The transverse depression 8 includes: a first transverse depression 81 that is disposed in the rear region R or the portion of the excretion portion opposing region M that is close to the rear region R; and a second transverse depression 82 that is disposed in the front region F or the portion of the excretion portion opposing region M that is close to the front region F.

[0044] The longitudinal recessed portion 7 (the first longitudinal recessed portion 71 and the second longitudinal recessed portion 72) extends in the longitudinal direction X, and the transverse recessed portion 8 (the first transverse recessed portion 81 and the second transverse recessed portion 82) extends in the transverse direction Y. The "extension" (extension existence) mentioned here includes: a form in which a recessed portion (a single recessed unit) that is a continuous line in plan view extends in a specified direction (for example, longitudinal X or transverse Y); and a form in which a plurality of recessed units that are not continuous lines in plan view are arranged at intervals in a specified direction, and these plurality of recessed units as a whole extend in the specified direction. In the latter form, from the viewpoint of reliably exerting the effects based on the recessed portion (improvement of the fit and leak-proofness of the absorbent article, etc.), the spacing distance in the specified direction between the two recessed units that are closest to each other in the specified direction is preferably 5 mm or less, and more preferably 4 mm or less.

[0045] When other components such as the front sheet 2 are arranged on the skin-facing side of the absorbent body 4, the recessed portions 7 and 8 are preferably formed by the other components arranged on the skin-facing side of the absorbent body 4 and the absorbent body 4 being recessed integrally. As a result, the effects of the recessed portions 7 and 8, such as the effects of improving the fit and leak-proof properties, can be further reliably exerted. In this embodiment, this structure is adopted. Specifically, as Figure 2 As shown, the longitudinal recessed portion 7 is formed by the front sheet 2 and the core packing 41 as the absorbent body 4 (more specifically, the core packing 41 arranged on the skin-opposite side of the absorbent core 40) and the absorbent core 40 being integrally recessed, and the transverse recessed portion 8 is similarly formed.

[0046] In addition, in the present embodiment, the recessed parts 7 and 8 do not penetrate the absorbent body 4, have an opening on the skin-facing surface of the sanitary napkin 1, and have a bottom on the side opposite to the opening. The recessed parts 7 and 8 having an opening on the skin-facing surface of the sanitary napkin 1 have the function of preventing the movement of excreta such as menstrual blood in the surface direction, especially in the direction intersecting the extension direction of the recessed parts 7 and 8.

[0047] The width of the recessed portions 7 and 8 (the length in the direction perpendicular to the extension direction) is not particularly limited. From the perspective of more reliably exerting the effects of the recessed portions 7 and 8, it is preferably greater than 1 mm, more preferably greater than 2 mm, and preferably less than 5 mm, more preferably less than 4 mm.

[0048] In the present embodiment, the recessed parts 7 and 8 are formed by applying compression processing to the sanitary napkin 1 from the side of the front sheet 2 forming the skin-opposite surface thereof, and can also be referred to as "compression parts" according to the forming method thereof. Due to such a forming method, the density of the recessed parts 7 and 8 is higher than the density of the peripheral parts thereof. That is, in the configuration area of ​​the absorbent body 4 in the sanitary napkin 1 (the area overlapping with the absorbent body 4 when viewed from above), there are recessed parts 7 and 8 as high-density parts and non-configuration parts of the recessed parts 7 and 8 as low-density parts (the parts not overlapping with the recessed parts 7 and 8 when viewed from above), and density difference is generated in the surface direction. The above-mentioned compression processing can be implemented, for example, by known embossing processing such as embossing processing with or without the application of heat, ultrasonic embossing, etc. In the case where the recessed parts 7 and 8 are formed by compression processing accompanied by heat, at the bottom of the recessed parts 7 and 8, the front sheet 2, the core packing 41 and the absorbent core 40 can be integrated by heat fusion.

[0049] like Figure 3 As shown, the interval W71 between the pair of first longitudinal recesses 71, 71 in the transverse direction Y gradually shortens as it goes backward along the longitudinal direction X, and has a non-zero shortest interval at the longitudinal rear end 71R of the first longitudinal recess 71. That is, the pair of first longitudinal recesses 71, 71 are not connected to each other. In this embodiment, the partition between the longitudinal rear ends 71R, 71R of the pair of first longitudinal recesses 71, 71 is located at the center of the transverse direction Y of the sanitary napkin 1 (on the transverse center line CLy).

[0050] In the present embodiment, the pair of first longitudinal recessed portions 71 , 71 are linear in plan view and extend in a direction intersecting both the longitudinal direction X and the lateral direction Y. As shown in FIG.

[0051] In addition, the pair of second longitudinal recessed portions 72, 72 are each in the shape of a curved arc convex to the outside in the transverse direction Y, extending over the entire length of the excretion portion relative region M in the longitudinal direction X, and further extending to the front region F and the rear region R. The convex top of the second longitudinal recessed portion 72 and its vicinity extend in the longitudinal direction X along a portion (curved portion 63) of the outer edge of the wing portion 6 (side wing portion 6S) sandwiched by the front narrowing portion 61 and the rear narrowing portion 62 described later.

[0052] In addition, the first transverse recessed portion 81 is in the shape of a curved arc that protrudes toward the longitudinal rear end 1R of the sanitary napkin 1, and the second transverse recessed portion 82 is in the shape of a curved arc that protrudes toward the longitudinal front end 1F of the sanitary napkin 1. The top of each protrusion of the two transverse recessed portions 81, 82 is located at the center of the transverse direction Y of the sanitary napkin 1 (on the transverse center line CLy).

[0053] In addition, these recessed portions 71 , 72 , 81 , 82 are not connected to each other.

[0054] As described above, the distance W71 between the longitudinal recessed portions 7 closest to the longitudinal rear end 1R of the sanitary napkin 1, that is, the pair of first longitudinal recessed portions 71, 71 (see Figure 3 ) gradually decreases as it goes backward in the longitudinal direction X, and the first longitudinal recessed portions 71, 71 are not connected to each other but are spaced apart in the transverse direction Y. In the sanitary napkin 1, on this basis, it is further formed that the length (width) W4 in the transverse direction Y of the portion of the absorbent body 4 that is in the same position in the longitudinal direction X as the longitudinal rear end 71R of the first longitudinal recessed portion 71 is shorter than the maximum length (maximum width) W4max in the transverse direction Y of the absorbent body 4. In this embodiment, the absorbent body 4 is as Figure 1 As shown, the front region F (on the front side of the longitudinal direction X than the front narrowing portion 61 described later) and the longitudinal rear end 1R side of the rear region R (on the rear side of the longitudinal direction X than the rear convex portion 65 described later) are each in a front end tapered shape with the width gradually decreasing as the width goes outward in the longitudinal direction X, and the width of the portion sandwiched by the front and rear ends of these longitudinal directions X, including the excretion portion relative region M, is a constant value, and the constant width portion of the absorbent body 4 is the portion with the maximum width W4max. The excretion portion relative region M is the part where excrement is most concentrated, so in order to improve the leakage prevention, it is preferred that the excretion portion relative region M has a high body fluid absorption capacity. In view of this, the portion with the maximum width W4max in the absorbent body 4 preferably includes the excretion portion relative region M.

[0055] Sanitary napkin 1 Figure 3 As shown, since: 1) the interval W71 between the pair of first longitudinal recesses 71, 71 located at the rearmost in the longitudinal direction X gradually decreases toward the longitudinal rear end 1R of the sanitary napkin 1, and the longitudinal rear ends 71R thereof are not connected to each other but are spaced apart in the transverse direction Y to form a partition; and 2) the relationship "W4<W4max" holds true with respect to the transverse direction Y length of each portion of the absorbent body 4 in the rear region R, when the sanitary napkin 1 is worn, the partition is easily bent into a convex shape along the wearer's gluteal cleft and the bulge between the gluteal cleft and the gluteal groove toward the wearer's body side, and the bent shape is easily maintained. Therefore, the bent portion of the above-mentioned partition, that is, the bent portion at the partition between the longitudinal rear ends 71R of the pair of first longitudinal recesses 71, 71, is easily attached to the wearer's gluteal cleft, so that the wearer is less likely to feel discomfort. Furthermore, by fitting the sanitary napkin 1 to the gluteal cleft in this manner, it is possible to suppress the inconvenience of excretion from the vaginal opening and other excretion areas leaking out from the front and back of the sanitary napkin 1 along the gluteal cleft in the longitudinal direction X (so-called downstream leakage), and thus the sanitary napkin 1 also has excellent leakage-proof properties.

[0056] From the viewpoint of more reliably exerting the above-mentioned effects, in particular from the viewpoint of further improving the fit of the sanitary napkin 1 to the gluteal cleft, the transverse length Y of the partition between the longitudinal rear ends 71R, 71R of a pair of first longitudinal recesses 71, 71, that is, the minimum value of the interval W71, is preferably greater than 7 mm, more preferably greater than 8 mm, and preferably less than 30 mm, more preferably less than 25 mm.

[0057] From the viewpoint of more reliably exerting the above-mentioned effects, in particular, from the viewpoint of further improving the fit of the sanitary napkin 1 to the gluteal cleft, the width W4 of the absorbent body 4 (see Figure 3 ) is preferably 85% or less, more preferably 80% or less, and further preferably 76% or less relative to the maximum width W4max of the absorbent body 4. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of imparting a practically sufficient body fluid absorption capacity to the region (rear region R) where the portion sandwiched between the longitudinal rear ends 71R, 71R of the pair of first longitudinal recessed portions 71, 71 exists, the lower limit of the ratio of the width W4 to the maximum width W4max of the absorbent body 4 is preferably 20% or more, and more preferably 30% or more.

[0058] The width W4 of the absorbent body 4, i.e., the length in the lateral direction Y of the portion of the absorbent body 4 which is at the same position in the longitudinal direction X as the longitudinal rear end 71R of the first longitudinal recessed portion 71, is preferably greater than 20 mm, more preferably greater than 25 mm, and is preferably less than 80 mm, more preferably less than 70 mm, on the premise that it is shorter than the maximum width W4max of the absorbent body 4.

[0059] The maximum width W4max of the absorbent body 4 (in the present embodiment, the length of the lateral direction Y of the absorbent body 4 in the excretion portion relative area M) is preferably greater than the width W4 of the absorbent body 4, more preferably greater than 50 mm, and preferably less than 100 mm, more preferably less than 90 mm.

[0060] In this embodiment, if Figure 3As shown, the absorbent body 4 has a rear front tapered portion 45 in the rear region R, in which the length (width) of the absorbent body 4 in the transverse direction Y gradually decreases toward the longitudinal rear end 4R of the absorbent body 4, and at least a portion of the first longitudinal recessed portion 71 including the longitudinal rear end 71R of the first longitudinal recessed portion 71 is arranged in the rear front tapered portion 45. The portion of the outer edge of the rear front tapered portion 45 of the absorbent body 4 extending along the first longitudinal recessed portion 71, particularly the portion extending along the longitudinal rear end 71R side of the first longitudinal recessed portion 71, has a rear curved portion 47 having a curvature center outside the outer edge. Thus, the portion of the outer edge of the absorbent body 4 that is at the same position as the longitudinal rear end 71R of the first longitudinal recessed portion 71 in the longitudinal direction X has the rear curved portion 47. With this structure, the softness of the outer edge of the rear region R of the sanitary napkin 1 and its vicinity (edge ​​portion) is improved, and the fit of the sanitary napkin 1 to the gluteal cleft can be further improved in tandem with the characteristic structure of the first longitudinal recessed portion 71 described above.

[0061] Reference Figure 3 , when the angle formed by two imaginary straight lines V1, V1 connecting the longitudinal rear end 4R of the absorbent body 4 and the longitudinal front ends 48 of the pair of contour lines of the rear front end tapered portion 45 extending from the longitudinal rear end 4R of the absorbent body 4 to the two outer sides of the lateral direction Y is set as θ1, and the angle formed by the pair of first longitudinal recessed portions 71, 71 is set as θ2, the absolute value of the difference between the angle θ1 and the angle θ2 is preferably 60° or less, more preferably 45° or less, and further preferably 40° or less, and may also be zero, that is, the angle θ1=θ2. According to this structure, the fit of the sanitary napkin 1 to the gluteal cleft can be further improved in conjunction with the characteristic structure of the first longitudinal recessed portion 71 described above. In addition, in the present embodiment, the angle θ1>angle θ2, but it may also be the opposite, the angle θ1<angle θ2. It is particularly preferred that the angle θ1>angle θ2. The angles θ1 and θ2 are each preferably 30° or more, more preferably 40° or more, and preferably 120° or less, and more preferably 100° or less.

[0062] In this embodiment, if Figure 3As shown, the wing 6 has a rear front tapered portion 68 in the rear region R, in which the length (width) of the wing 6 in the transverse direction Y gradually decreases toward the longitudinal rear end of the wing 6 (the longitudinal rear end 1R of the sanitary napkin 1). The portion of the outer edge of the rear front tapered portion 68 of the wing 6 extending along the first longitudinal recessed portion 71, especially the portion extending along the longitudinal rear end 71R side of the first longitudinal recessed portion 71, has an inwardly convexly curved portion 66 having a curvature center outside the outer edge. Thus, the portion of the outer edge of the wing 6 that is at the same position as the longitudinal rear end 71R of the first longitudinal recessed portion 71 in the longitudinal direction X has the inwardly convexly curved portion 66. According to this structure, the fit of the sanitary napkin 1 to the gluteal cleft can be further improved in conjunction with the characteristic structure of the first longitudinal recessed portion 71 described above. In particular, in this embodiment, the rear curved portion 47 of the outer edge of the absorbent body 4 and the inwardly convexly curved portion 66 of the outer edge of the wing 6 are present along the first longitudinal recessed portion 71, so that the above-mentioned effect can be more reliably exerted.

[0063] In this embodiment, if Figure 3 As shown, in the rear region R or the portion of the rear region R in the excretion portion relative region M, there is a partition P ( Figure 3 The partition P and the longitudinal rear end 71R of the first longitudinal recess 71 function as bending guides (flexible axes) of the sanitary napkin 1, and can promote the preferred deformation of the sanitary napkin 1 during wearing. The outer edge of the wing 6 has a narrowing portion (rear narrowing portion) 62 at the same position as the partition P in the longitudinal direction X. According to this structure, in conjunction with the characteristic structure of the first longitudinal recess 71, the fit of the sanitary napkin 1 to the gluteal cleft can be further improved.

[0064] From the perspective of more reliably achieving the effect of such a partition P, the interval between the longitudinal front end 71F of the first longitudinal recessed portion 71 and the longitudinal rear end 72R of the second longitudinal recessed portion 72 is preferably greater than 6 mm, more preferably greater than 7 mm, and preferably less than 30 mm, more preferably less than 25 mm.

[0065] In addition, in the present embodiment, the longitudinal front end of the first longitudinal recessed portion 71 is located outside the longitudinal rear end of the second longitudinal recessed portion 72 in the transverse direction Y, but the longitudinal rear end of the second longitudinal recessed portion 72 may be located outside the longitudinal front end of the first longitudinal recessed portion 71 in the transverse direction Y, provided that the partition portion P exists. However, from the viewpoint of further preventing side leakage and improving the softness of the outer edge of the sanitary napkin 1, it is preferable to configure as in the present embodiment.

[0066] In addition, in this embodiment, the longitudinal front end portion of the first longitudinal recessed portion 71 and the longitudinal rear end portion of the second longitudinal recessed portion 72 are separated in the horizontal direction Y. In other words, the projection images of the two in the horizontal direction Y overlap with each other, but they can also be separated in the longitudinal direction X without being separated in the horizontal direction Y.

[0067] The outer edge of the wing portion 6 of the sanitary napkin 1 is described. In this embodiment, the outer edge of the side wing portion 6S, more specifically, the side edge of the side wing portion 6S along the longitudinal direction X is as shown in FIG. Figure 1 As shown, the front narrowing portion 61 located in the front region F and the rear narrowing portion 62 located in the rear region R, and the portion sandwiched by the two narrowing portions 61 and 62 (the region between the narrowing portions) has a curved portion 63 convex to the outside in the transverse direction Y. The curved portion 63 extends over the entire length of the excretion portion relative region M in the longitudinal direction X. The region between the narrowing portions overlaps the region between the transverse recessed portions sandwiched by the first transverse recessed portion 81 and the second transverse recessed portion 82 in the longitudinal direction X.

[0068] The portion of the outer edge of the side wing portion 6S sandwiched by the two narrowed portions 61, 62 is in a curved shape convex to the outside of the transverse direction Y, and there is no inflection point in this portion. Both narrowed portions 61, 62 are curved to the inside of the transverse direction Y and are formed by a curve. In the present invention, either or both of the two narrowed portions 61, 62 may be curved to the inside of the transverse direction Y and be formed by a straight line.

[0069] In addition, in this embodiment, if Figure 1As shown, the outer edges of the wings 6 (side wings 6S, front wings 6F, and rear wings 6R) have: a front convex portion 64, which is located at a position forward of the front narrowed portion 61 in the longitudinal direction X and connected to the front narrowed portion 61, and protrudes in a direction away from the absorbent body 4; and a rear convex portion 65, which is located at a position backward of the rear narrowed portion 62 in the longitudinal direction X and connected to the rear narrowed portion 62, and protrudes in a direction away from the absorbent body 4. Since the side wings 6S have the rear convex portion 65, when an external force is applied to the side wings 6S due to the movement of the wearer's groin, the side wings 6S are deformed in a manner of folding toward the non-skin facing side to ease the external force, and the rear region R is less likely to wrinkle. The area from the rear convex portion 65 to the longitudinal rear end of the wing 6 (the longitudinal rear end 1R of the sanitary napkin 1) is the rear front end tapered portion 68 of the wing 6. The portion of the outer edge of the wing 6 sandwiched between the longitudinal rear end of the wing 6 and the rear convex portion 65 extends along the first longitudinal recessed portion 71 and has the above-mentioned inwardly convex curved portion 66. Therefore, it is easy to maintain the uprightness of the gentle bending structure from the rear end of the gluteal cleft to the front side guided by the first longitudinal recessed portion 71.

[0070] Reference Figure 3 (b), assuming that a triangle is formed with an imaginary straight line V2 connecting the longitudinal front end 66a and the longitudinal rear end 66c of the inward convex curved portion 66 as the base, and two imaginary straight lines V3 and V3 connecting the maximum point 66b of the inward convex curved portion 66 with the front end 66a and the rear end 66c as the two sides, the angle θ3 formed by the vertices of the rear end 66c of the triangle is preferably 3° or more and 35° or less, and more preferably 5° or more and 25° or less. By making the angle θ3 within the above range, the above-mentioned "fitting of the bent portion at the partition between the longitudinal rear ends 71R of the pair of first longitudinal recessed portions 71, 71 to the bulging area between the wearer's gluteal cleft and gluteal groove" is further improved, and it can be expected that the absorbency will be improved.

[0071] In the present embodiment, the sanitary napkin 1 is a pad-type absorbent article. In the present utility model, a "pad-type absorbent article" refers to an absorbent article without a fin portion. The "fin portion" is a portion that is manually folded to the non-skin-opposing side of the crotch using fingers when the absorbent article is fixed to the skin-opposing side of the crotch of clothing such as shorts. Typically, taking the sanitary napkin 1 as an example, it is a portion of the side wing portion 6S located in the excretion portion opposing area M that extends more to the outside of the horizontal direction Y than the peripheral portion. The sanitary napkin 1 does not have a portion such as a fin portion that is manually folded to the non-skin-opposing side of clothing by using fingers when wearing.

[0072] In addition, in the sanitary napkin 1, if Figure 1As shown in FIG. 1 , a portion of the outer edge of the side wing portion 6S has a curved portion 63 protruding outward in the transverse direction Y and extending outward in the transverse direction Y than the peripheral portion, but the side wing portion 6S is not a portion that is folded toward the non-skin-opposing side of clothing by manual operation using fingers when the sanitary napkin 1 is fixed to clothing, like the fin portion, and can be clearly distinguished from the fin portion. Therefore, in the sanitary napkin 1 of this embodiment, a fixing member such as an adhesive (a member for fixing the absorbent article to clothing such as underwear) that is usually arranged on the fin portion of a sanitary napkin is not arranged on the non-skin-opposing side of the area defined by the curved portion 63 of the side wing portion 6S.

[0073] In the sanitary napkin 1, the distance G1 (see Figure 1 ) is typically about 35 mm at most. In contrast, in absorbent articles having fins, from the perspective of facilitating the manual bending operation of the fins using fingers, the lateral length of the fins, i.e., the distance between the top end of the fins (lateral outermost end) and the absorbent body, usually significantly exceeds the typical maximum value of 35 mm of the above-mentioned distance G1.

[0074] The sanitary napkin 1 is a pad-type absorbent article without fins, and thus eliminates the complexity of the wearing operation, which is a problem unique to absorbent articles with fins, and can be worn simply. That is, when the sanitary napkin 1 is worn on the crotch of the wearer, usually, first, the shorts are passed through the legs of the wearer, and before the shorts are made to fit tightly against the crotch, the sanitary napkin 1 is fixed to the skin-opposite surface (inner surface) of the crotch of the shorts via the fixing portion (not shown) of the sanitary napkin 1, and then the shorts are pulled toward the crotch and the sanitary napkin 1 is worn on the crotch. Figure 4, the sanitary napkin 1 is shown in a state of being worn on the crotch of the wearer, the sanitary napkin 1 is fixed to the skin-opposing surface of the crotch 21 of the shorts 20 via the above-mentioned fixing portion, and a part of the side wing 6S (curved portion 63 and its vicinity) is bent along the side edge of the crotch 21 to the opposite side of the crotch side, and is arranged along the wearer's thigh 30. The bent portion of the side wing 6S in the sanitary napkin 1 in the worn state has the same function as the fin portion in the sanitary napkin for physiological use in the prior art, and can prevent the sanitary napkin 1 from being displaced from the appropriate position during wearing, improve the fit of the sanitary napkin 1 to the body of the wearer, and prevent the leakage of excrement, etc. However, in order to form the bent state like this, the manual bending operation using fingers required in the fin portion is not required. That is, when the sanitary napkin 1 is fixed to the skin-opposing surface of the crotch 21 of the shorts 20 which has passed through the wearer's legs 30, 30 via the above-mentioned fixing portion, the portion (the portion with the outer edge being the curved portion 63) sandwiched by the front narrowed portion 61 and the rear narrowed portion 62 of the pair of side wings 6S, 6S extends from the two side edges of the crotch 21. If the shorts 20 are pulled toward the crotch of the wearer in this state, the extended portions of the side wings 6S extending from the crotch 21 are naturally bent along the side edges of the crotch 21 in the direction opposite to the direction in which the shorts 20 are pulled toward the wearer. When the sanitary napkin 1 is in contact with the crotch, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 As shown, the extension portion is in a state along the leg (thigh) 30 of the wearer.

[0075] As described above, the extended portion of the side wing 6S from the crotch 21 can be naturally bent along the side edge of the crotch 21 by only pulling the shorts 20 toward the crotch side, without the need for manual bending operation using fingers. This is largely due to the effect of the two narrowed portions 61 and 62 provided at the outer edge of the side wing 6S. ​​That is, the front narrowed portion 61 and the rear narrowed portion 62 are separately arranged at the outer edge of the side wing 6S with the curved portion 63 interposed therebetween, thereby, the curved portion 63 of the side wing 6S and its vicinity are formed to be easily deformed when subjected to external force. Therefore, when the sanitary napkin 1 is fixed to the crotch 21 at an appropriate fixing position, as long as the curved portion 63 and its vicinity are formed to be in a state of extending from the side edge of the crotch 21, the curved portion 63 and its vicinity extending from the side edge of the crotch 21 and its vicinity are easily deformed by the external force acting through the legs (thighs) of the wearer, simply by pulling the shorts 20 toward the crotch side.

[0076] From the perspective of more reliably exerting the easy-to-wear effect of the above-mentioned sanitary napkin 1, it is preferred that the above-mentioned fixing portion (a component for fixing the sanitary napkin 1 to the wearer's clothing) is arranged in an area overlapping with the absorbent body 4 when viewed from above, rather than in the wing portion 6 (side wing portion 6S).

[0077] From the viewpoint of more reliably exerting the effects of the wing portions 6, the dimensions of the various parts of the sanitary napkin 1 are preferably set as follows.

[0078] The front narrowed portion 61 is preferably arranged at a position preferably more than 40 mm, more preferably more than 50 mm, and preferably within 150 mm, more preferably within 140 mm, from the longitudinal front end 1F of the sanitary napkin 1 (the longitudinal front end of the wing 6) to the rear in the longitudinal direction X.

[0079] The rear narrowed portion 62 is preferably arranged at a position preferably more than 100 mm, more preferably more than 120 mm, and preferably within 350 mm, more preferably within 330 mm, from the longitudinal rear end 1R of the sanitary napkin 1 (the longitudinal rear end of the wing 6) in front of the longitudinal direction X.

[0080] The distance G2 between the front narrowing portion 61 and the rear narrowing portion 62 in the longitudinal direction X (see Figure 1 ) is preferably greater than 40 mm, more preferably greater than 60 mm, and is preferably less than 250 mm, more preferably less than 230 mm.

[0081] The maximum length (maximum width) of the sanitary napkin 1 in the transverse direction Y is preferably 60 mm or more, more preferably 80 mm or more, and preferably 200 mm or less, more preferably 180 mm or less. The portion of the sanitary napkin 1 having the maximum width is typically present in the excretion portion opposite region M, and in the illustrated manner, is the portion where the convex top portion of the curved portion 63 of the side wing portion 6S exists.

[0082] The total length of the sanitary napkin 1 in the longitudinal direction X is preferably 100 mm or more, more preferably 140 mm or more, and is preferably 450 mm or less, more preferably 420 mm or less.

[0083] In this embodiment, refer to Figure 1 In the area overlapping with the absorbent body 4 when viewed from above (absorbent body configuration area), the compression recovery of the area between the lateral recesses sandwiched by the first lateral recesses 81 and the second lateral recesses 82 is higher than the compression recovery of the area adjacent to the area between the lateral recesses in the longitudinal direction X. The area between the lateral recesses with high compression recovery has excellent cushioning properties, can deform responsively to external forces, and can quickly return to its original state when the external forces are released. The area between the lateral recesses covers the entire length of the excretion part relative area M in the longitudinal direction X, and therefore, the excretion part relative area M is an area with relatively high compression recovery. With this structure, the fit of the excretion part relative area M to the wearer's body is improved, and in conjunction with the effects of the longitudinal recesses 71 and 72, the overall fit and followability of the sanitary napkin 1 to the body are improved, and further improvements in leakage prevention and wearing comfort can be expected.

[0084] The above-mentioned "compression recovery" can be evaluated using compression work (hereinafter also referred to as "WC") and recovery work (hereinafter also referred to as "WC'") as indicators. WC is an indicator of the cushioning of the measured object. Therefore, the larger the value of WC, the better the cushioning of the measured object, and therefore the compression recovery is evaluated to be better. WC' is an indicator of the recovery (compression recovery) of the measured object when the external force is removed after the measured object is compressed by an external force. The larger the value of WC', the better the compression recovery of the measured object is evaluated to be. WC and WC' are measured by the following methods respectively.

[0085] <Method for measuring compression work (WC) and recovery work (WC')>

[0086] It is generally known that WC and WC' as the measurement object can be expressed by the measurement value measured by KES (Kawabata Evaluation System) manufactured by Kato Tech Co., Ltd. (reference: Standardization and Analysis of Hand Feel Evaluation (Second Edition), author Kawabata Yoshio, published on July 10, 1975). Specifically, WC and WC' can be measured using the compression tester KES-G5 manufactured by Kato Tech Co., Ltd. The measurement procedure is as follows.

[0087] First, install the sample on the test bench of the compression test device. The sample is, for example, an absorbent article such as sanitary napkin 1 or a component thereof (such as absorbent body 4). The sample is in a dry state and has a top view quadrilateral shape of 5 mm in length and 5 mm in width. In the case where the dry sample is an absorbent body or an absorbent article including the absorbent body, the absorbent body is unused, has not absorbed any liquid, and is in a dry state. Next, place the sample on a surface having an area of ​​2 cm 2 The sample is compressed between the circular flat steel plates. The compressed part is the non-depressed part of the sample, that is, the part that has not been compressed and retains the original posture of the sample. The compression speed is 0.2cm / sec, and the maximum compression load is 2450mN / cm 2 , SENS is 10, DEF is 20. The recovery process is also measured at the same speed. WC is expressed by the following formula (1), and WC' is expressed by the following formula (2), and the units of each are "mN·cm / cm 2 In the following formula, T m Indicates 2450mN / cm 2 (4.9kPa) load, T O Indicates 4.902mN / cm 2 (49Pa) The thickness when the load is applied. In addition, Pa in the following formula (1) and Pb in the following formula (2) respectively represent the measured load (mN / cm 2), measured load during thickness recovery process (mN / cm 2 ).

[0088] [Formula 1]

[0089]

[0090] [Formula 2]

[0091]

[0092] In addition, WC' is not displayed in the measurement result screen of the above-mentioned KES-G5. In the measurement result screen, WC and the compression recovery rate and / or compression rebound resilience (hereinafter also referred to as "RC") calculated based on WC' are displayed. In such a case, WC' is calculated according to the following formula using the parameters (WC, RC) displayed in the test device.

[0093] [Formula 3]

[0094] WC′=RC×WC÷100

[0095] The ratio of the WC of the area between the above-mentioned lateral recesses to the WC of the area in front of it (for example, the front area F) or the area behind it (for example, the rear area R) in the longitudinal direction X is preferably 1.5 or more, more preferably 1.7 or more, on the premise that the former is greater than the latter, and when expressed as the former / the latter.

[0096] The WC of the region between the horizontal depressions is preferably 100 mN·cm / cm 2 More preferably, 120 mN·cm / cm 2 The upper limit of the WC in the region between the horizontal recessed portions is not particularly limited, but is preferably 300 mN·cm / cm from the viewpoint of reducing the thickness of the absorbent article in an individually packaged state. 2 Below, more preferably 280 mN·cm / cm 2 the following.

[0097] The ratio of WC' in the area between the above-mentioned lateral recesses to the WC' in the area in front (e.g., front area F) or in the area behind (e.g., rear area R) in the longitudinal direction X is preferably 1.5 or more, more preferably 1.7 or more, when expressed as former / latter, assuming that the former is greater than the latter.

[0098] The WC' of the region between the lateral depressions is preferably 100 mN·cm / cm 2 More preferably, 120 mN·cm / cm 2 The upper limit of WC' in the region between the horizontal recessed portions is not particularly limited, but is preferably 300 mN·cm / cm from the viewpoint of reducing the thickness of the absorbent article in an individually packaged state.2 Below, more preferably 280 mN·cm / cm 2 the following.

[0099] The difference in the compression recovery of the above-mentioned sanitary napkin 1 (absorbent body 4) is caused by the difference in the presence or absence of the fiber block layer 42. That is, the area between the above-mentioned lateral recessed parts (excretion part relative area M) contains the fiber block layer 42, and therefore has a higher compression recovery than other areas that do not contain the fiber block layer 42.

[0100] like Figure 2 As shown, the fiber block layer 42 is mainly composed of fiber blocks 11 containing non-absorbent fibers. Here, "mainly composed of fiber blocks" means that the fiber blocks 11 account for 90% by mass or more, preferably 95% by mass or more, and more preferably 100% by mass of all the fibers constituting the fiber block layer 42. The fiber block 11 is a fiber aggregate in which a plurality of non-absorbent fibers are aggregated into a block shape and integrated, and exists in the absorbent body 4 (fiber block layer 42) in a state in which its shape is maintained. The fiber block 11 mainly contributes to the improvement of the softness, cushioning, compression recovery, and shape retention of the absorbent body 4 due to its fiber aggregate shape.

[0101] As the non-absorbent fiber constituting the fiber mass 11, it is preferable to use a fiber (non-absorbent fiber) having a lower water absorption than the absorbent fiber such as cellulose fiber used as the absorbent material in the absorbent core 40, and a specific example thereof is a synthetic fiber mainly composed of a thermoplastic resin. Since the fiber mass 11 is constituted by including the non-absorbent fiber, even when the fiber mass 11 comes into contact with body fluids, the characteristics such as softness of the fiber mass 11 can be fully exhibited.

[0102] The shape of the fiber block 11 is not particularly limited, and may be an irregular shape, for example, a fiber block of a regular shape such as a sheet obtained by cutting a synthetic fiber sheet into a certain size may be used. As such a fiber block of a regular shape, for example, the fiber blocks described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-063469, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-098157, and Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-188918 can be appropriately used, and specifically, a fiber block having two opposing basic surfaces and a skeleton surface connecting the two basic surfaces can be appropriately used.

[0103] The fiber block layer 42 is a region where the fiber blocks 11 are present over the entire length of the absorbent body 4 in the transverse direction Y. The fiber block layer 42 may be composed of only the fiber blocks 11, or may contain a water-absorbent material in addition to the fiber blocks 11. The fiber block layer 42 containing the water-absorbent material can absorb and retain body fluids, and can improve the absorption performance of the absorbent body 4. As the water-absorbent material used in the fiber block layer 42, any material that can be used in the absorbent core 40 can be used without particular limitation.

[0104] In this embodiment, if Figure 2 As shown, the fiber block layer 42 includes the fiber blocks 11. Typically, the fiber block layer 42 only includes the fiber blocks 11. In the fiber block layer 42, the fiber blocks 11 are preferably intertwined with each other. By constituting the fiber block layer 42 in this way, the shape retention of the fiber block layer 42 is improved, and the absorbent body 4 having the fiber block layer 42 can be properly deformed with good tracking performance to the external forces received from all directions when worn, thereby becoming an absorbent body 4 with excellent softness, cushioning, and compression recovery. The sanitary napkin 1 having such an absorbent body 4 is easy to deform and recover with respect to external forces, is not easy to wrinkle, and has excellent fit with respect to the wearer's body. In addition, in the fiber block layer 42 and the absorbent core 40 arranged overlapping therewith, it is more preferred that the fiber blocks 11 of the former are intertwined with the water-absorbent fibers of the latter at the interface of the former.

[0105] The "entanglement" mentioned above includes the following two forms: (i) a form in which the entangled objects (fiber blocks or fiber blocks and absorbent fibers) are not fused to each other, and their bonding state is maintained by the entanglement of the constituent fibers of the fiber blocks; and (ii) a form in which the fiber blocks or the fiber blocks and absorbent fibers are not bonded to each other in the natural state of the absorbent article (absorbent body) (a state in which no external force is applied), but when an external force is applied to the absorbent article (absorbent body), the fiber blocks or the fiber blocks and absorbent fibers can be bonded by the entanglement of the constituent fibers.

[0106] In this embodiment, in the discharge portion relative area M, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown, the skin-opposite side of the absorbent body 4 is formed by an absorbent core 40 mainly composed of absorbent fibers 12 and absorbent polymer particles 13, and substantially does not contain fiber blocks 11. In contrast, the non-skin-opposite side of the absorbent body 4 is formed by a fiber block layer 42 mainly composed of fiber blocks 11.

[0107] More specifically, in the present embodiment, in the absorbent body 4 in the excretion portion relative region M, the fiber mass occupancy rate calculated by the following formula (A) is lower on the skin-opposing surface side than on the non-skin-opposing surface side. That is, in the present embodiment, in the absorbent body 4 in the excretion portion relative region M, the fiber mass 11 is biased toward the non-skin-opposing surface side, and the fiber mass occupancy rate is higher on the non-skin-opposing surface side of the absorbent body 4 than on the skin-opposing surface side of the absorbent body 4. More specifically, in the excretion portion relative region M, the water-absorbent fibers 12 are more likely to exist on the skin-opposing surface side of the absorbent body 4, and the content of the fiber mass 11 may be zero, whereas the fiber mass 11 is more likely to exist on the non-skin-opposing surface side of the absorbent body 4, and the content of the water-absorbent fibers 12 may be zero.

[0108] In addition, the "skin-opposing side of the absorbent body" mentioned here refers to the side including the skin-opposing side when the absorbent body 4 is divided into two equal parts in the thickness direction (the side relatively close to the wearer's skin), and the "non-skin-opposing side of the absorbent body" refers to the opposite side (the side relatively far from the wearer's skin).

[0109] As described above, in the absorbent body 4 in the excretion portion relative area M, the above-mentioned size relationship "skin-opposing side of the absorbent body 4 < non-skin-opposing side of the absorbent body 4" holds true with respect to the fiber block occupancy rate. As a result, through the action of the water-absorbent fibers biased toward the skin-opposing side of the absorbent body 4, the force (capillary force) of introducing body fluids into the absorbent body 4 is improved, thereby improving the liquid absorption. Furthermore, through the action of the fiber blocks 11 biased toward the non-skin-opposing side of the absorbent body 4, the cushioning properties of the absorbent body 4 can be improved.

[0110] The fiber mass occupancy rate is the content of each of the fiber mass and the water-absorbent material present in a predetermined measurement target portion of the absorbent body measured by mass, and the measured fiber mass content is divided by the total value of the fiber mass and the water-absorbent material content, and the result is expressed as a percentage. As described above, the water-absorbent material is typically a water-absorbent fiber and / or a water-absorbent polymer.

[0111] Fiber mass occupancy rate (mass %) = {mass content of fiber mass / (mass content of water-absorbing material+mass content of fiber mass)}×100 (A)

[0112] As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated based on the preferred embodiment, this invention is not limited at all to the said embodiment, It can change suitably within the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention.

[0113] For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the first longitudinal recessed portion 71 and the second longitudinal recessed portion 72 are spaced apart from each other and a partition portion P is formed (see Figure 3 ), but the two longitudinal recessed portions 71, 72 may also be connected to each other. However, as described above, by forming the partition portion P, the prescribed effect of the utility model can be more reliably exerted, so it is preferred that the two longitudinal recessed portions 71, 72 are not connected but separated.

[0114] In addition, in the embodiment, no fixing component such as adhesive is arranged on the non-skin opposite surface of the part formed by the curved portion 63 of the side wing portion 6S of the excretion relative area M, but the fixing component may be arranged on the non-skin opposite surface of the part.

[0115] The absorbent article of the present invention includes articles for absorbing body fluids (menstrual blood, urine, soft stool, sweat, etc.) discharged from the human body, and is not limited to the above-mentioned sanitary napkin.

[0116] The following additional remarks are further disclosed regarding the above-mentioned embodiments of the present invention.

[0117] <1>

[0118] An absorbent article, which has an absorbent body capable of absorbing and retaining body fluids, and has a longitudinal direction corresponding to the front-back direction of a wearer and a transverse direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, and has an excretion portion-opposing area arranged opposite to the excretion portion of the wearer when worn, a front area arranged at a position forward of the excretion portion-opposing area in the longitudinal direction, and a rear area arranged at a position rearward of the excretion portion-opposing area in the longitudinal direction, wherein:

[0119] comprising wing portions extending outward from the outer edge of the absorbent body and forming the outline of the absorbent article,

[0120] The absorbent body has a longitudinal depression that is recessed from the skin-opposing surface to the non-skin-opposing surface and extends in the longitudinal direction, the longitudinal depression includes a first longitudinal depression located at least in the rear region and a second longitudinal depression located at least in the excretion region, and a pair of two longitudinal depressions are respectively separated by a transverse center line that divides the absorbent article into two equal parts in the transverse direction and extends in the longitudinal direction imaginarily,

[0121] The lateral interval between the pair of the first longitudinal recessed portions gradually shortens as it goes toward the rear in the longitudinal direction, and has a non-zero shortest interval at the longitudinal rear end of the first longitudinal recessed portions.

[0122] The length in the transverse direction of a portion of the absorbent body that is co-located with the rear end of the first longitudinal recess in the longitudinal direction is shorter than the maximum length in the transverse direction of the absorbent body.

[0123] <2>

[0124] The absorbent article according to <1>, wherein:

[0125] A length in the transverse direction of a portion of the absorbent body that is located at the same position as the longitudinal rear end of the first longitudinal recessed portion in the longitudinal direction is not more than 85% of a maximum length in the transverse direction of the absorbent body.

[0126] <3>

[0127] The absorbent article according to <1>, wherein:

[0128] The lateral length of the portion of the absorbent body that is at the same position in the longitudinal direction as the longitudinal rear end of the first longitudinal recess is greater than 20% and less than 85% of the maximum lateral length of the absorbent body, preferably greater than 30% and less than 80%, and more preferably greater than 35% and less than 75%.

[0129] <4>

[0130] The absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <3>, wherein:

[0131] The absorbent body has a rear front end tapered portion in the rear region, wherein the transverse length of the absorbent body gradually decreases toward the longitudinal rear end of the absorbent body, and at least a portion of the first longitudinal recessed portion including the longitudinal rear end of the first longitudinal recessed portion is arranged in the rear front end tapered portion.

[0132] A portion of the outer edge of the rear narrowed portion of the absorbent body extending along the first longitudinal recessed portion has a rear curved portion having a center of curvature outside the outer edge.

[0133] <5>

[0134] The absorbent article as described in <4>, wherein:

[0135] When the angle formed by two imaginary straight lines connecting the longitudinal rear end of the absorbent body and the longitudinal front ends of a pair of contour lines of the rear front end tapered portion extending from the longitudinal rear end of the absorbent body to the two transverse outer sides is set to θ1, and the angle formed by a pair of the first longitudinal recessed portions is set to θ2, the absolute value of the difference between the angle θ1 and the angle θ2 is less than 60°.

[0136] <6>

[0137] The absorbent article as described in <5>, wherein:

[0138] The absolute value of the difference between the angle θ1 and the angle θ2 is 45° or less, and preferably 40° or less.

[0139] <7>

[0140] The absorbent article as described in <5> or <6>, wherein:

[0141] The angle θ1 is larger than the angle θ2.

[0142] <8>

[0143] The absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <6>, wherein:

[0144] The wing portion has a rear front end tapered portion in the rear region, wherein the transverse length of the wing portion gradually decreases toward the longitudinal rear end of the wing portion.

[0145] A portion of the outer edge of the rear front end tapered portion of the wing portion extending along the first longitudinal recessed portion has an inwardly convex curved portion having a center of curvature outside the outer edge.

[0146] <9>

[0147] The absorbent article as described in <8>, wherein:

[0148] The wing portion includes a pair of side wing portions located on the outer side in the transverse direction relative to a pair of imaginary straight lines passing through the outermost end in the transverse direction of the absorbent body and extending in the longitudinal direction,

[0149] The outer edge of the side wing portion has a rear convex portion in the rear region, which is located forward of the inward convex curved portion in the longitudinal direction and is connected to the inward convex curved portion.

[0150] <10>

[0151] The absorbent article as described in <8> or <9>, wherein:

[0152] Assuming that a triangle is formed with an imaginary straight line connecting the longitudinal front end and the longitudinal rear end of the inward convex curve as the base, and two imaginary straight lines connecting the maximum point of the inward convex curve and the longitudinal front end and the longitudinal rear end respectively as the two sides, the angle (θ3) formed by the vertex of the longitudinal rear end of the triangle is greater than 3° and less than 35°, preferably greater than 5° and less than 25°.

[0153] <11>

[0154] The absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <10>, wherein:

[0155] In the rear area or the portion close to the rear area in the area opposite to the excretion part, there is a partition in which the longitudinal front end of the first longitudinal recessed part and the longitudinal rear end of the second longitudinal recessed part are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction or the transverse direction.

[0156] A portion of the outer edge of the wing portion that is located at the same position as the partition portion in the longitudinal direction has a narrowed portion that is bent inward in the lateral direction.

[0157] <12>

[0158] The absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <11>, wherein:

[0159] The absorbent body has a transverse depression that is recessed from the skin-opposing surface to the non-skin-opposing surface and extends in the transverse direction, and the transverse depression includes: a first transverse depression that is disposed in the rear region or the portion of the excretion portion-opposing region close to the rear region; and a second transverse depression that is disposed in the front region or the portion of the excretion portion-opposing region close to the front region.

[0160] In the region overlapping the absorbent body in a plan view, the compression recovery property of the region between the lateral recessed portions sandwiched by the first lateral recessed portions and the second lateral recessed portions is higher than the compression recovery property of the region adjacent to the region between the lateral recessed portions in the longitudinal direction.

[0161] <13>

[0162] The absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <12>, wherein:

[0163] The wing portion includes a pair of side wing portions located on the outer side in the transverse direction relative to a pair of imaginary straight lines passing through the outermost end in the transverse direction of the absorbent body and extending in the longitudinal direction,

[0164] The side wings are not provided with fixing members (adhesive or the like) for fixing the side wings to clothing.

[0165] <14>

[0166] The absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <13>, wherein:

[0167] The absorbent body includes a fiber mass layer mainly composed of fiber masses containing non-water-absorbent fibers in the region facing the excretion part.

[0168] <15>

[0169] The absorbent article as described in <14>, wherein:

[0170] The fiber masses are entangled with each other.

[0171] <16>

[0172] The absorbent article as described in <14> or <15>, wherein:

[0173] At least in the excretion portion-opposing region, the non-skin-opposing side of the absorbent body has a higher fiber mass occupancy rate calculated by the following formula (A) than the skin-opposing side of the absorbent body.

[0174] Fiber mass occupancy rate (mass %) = {Content mass of fiber mass / (Content mass of water-absorbing material+Content mass of fiber mass)}×100 (A).

[0175] Possibility of industrial application

[0176] According to the utility model, an absorbent article having excellent fit to the body of the wearer can be provided. The absorbent article of the utility model is easy to fit to the groove (gluteal cleft) of the wearer's buttocks, is unlikely to make the wearer feel uncomfortable (the feeling that the absorbent article does not correspond to the movement of the body), and is also excellent in leakage prevention.

Claims

1. An absorbent article, comprising an absorbent body capable of absorbing and retaining body fluids, and having a longitudinal direction corresponding to the front-back direction of a wearer and a transverse direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, and comprising an excretion portion-opposing region arranged opposite to the excretion portion of the wearer when worn, a front region arranged at a position forward of the excretion portion-opposing region in the longitudinal direction, and a rear region arranged at a position rearward of the excretion portion-opposing region in the longitudinal direction, The absorbent article is characterized in that: comprising wing portions extending outward from the outer edge of the absorbent body and forming the outline of the absorbent article, The absorbent body has a longitudinal depression that is recessed from the skin-opposing surface to the non-skin-opposing surface and extends in the longitudinal direction, the longitudinal depression includes a first longitudinal depression located at least in the rear region and a second longitudinal depression located at least in the excretion region, and a pair of two longitudinal depressions are respectively separated by a transverse center line that divides the absorbent article into two equal parts in the transverse direction and extends in the longitudinal direction imaginarily, The lateral interval between the pair of the first longitudinal recessed portions gradually shortens as it goes toward the rear in the longitudinal direction, and has a non-zero shortest interval at the longitudinal rear end of the first longitudinal recessed portions. The length in the transverse direction of a portion of the absorbent body that is co-located with the rear end of the first longitudinal recess in the longitudinal direction is shorter than the maximum length in the transverse direction of the absorbent body.

2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein: A length in the transverse direction of a portion of the absorbent body that is located at the same position as the longitudinal rear end of the first longitudinal recessed portion in the longitudinal direction is not more than 85% of a maximum length in the transverse direction of the absorbent body.

3. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The absorbent body has a rear front end tapered portion in the rear region, wherein the transverse length of the absorbent body gradually decreases toward the longitudinal rear end of the absorbent body, and at least a portion of the first longitudinal recessed portion including the longitudinal rear end of the first longitudinal recessed portion is arranged in the rear front end tapered portion. A portion of the outer edge of the rear narrowed portion of the absorbent body extending along the first longitudinal recessed portion has a rear curved portion having a center of curvature outside the outer edge.

4. The absorbent article according to claim 3, wherein: When the angle formed by two imaginary straight lines connecting the longitudinal rear end of the absorbent body and the longitudinal front ends of a pair of contour lines of the rear front end tapered portion extending from the longitudinal rear end of the absorbent body to the two transverse outer sides is set to θ1, and the angle formed by a pair of the first longitudinal recessed portions is set to θ2, the absolute value of the difference between the angle θ1 and the angle θ2 is less than 60°.

5. The absorbent article according to claim 4, wherein: The angle θ1 is greater than the angle θ2.

6. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The wing portion has a rear front end tapered portion in the rear region, wherein the transverse length of the wing portion gradually decreases toward the longitudinal rear end of the wing portion. A portion of the outer edge of the rear front end tapered portion of the wing portion extending along the first longitudinal recessed portion has an inwardly convex curved portion having a center of curvature outside the outer edge.

7. The absorbent article according to claim 6, wherein: The wing portion includes a pair of side wing portions located on the outer side in the transverse direction relative to a pair of imaginary straight lines passing through the outermost end in the transverse direction of the absorbent body and extending in the longitudinal direction, The outer edge of the side wing portion has a rear convex portion in the rear region, which is located forward of the inward convex curved portion in the longitudinal direction and is connected to the inward convex curved portion.

8. The absorbent article according to claim 6, wherein: Assuming that a triangle is formed with an imaginary straight line connecting the longitudinal front end and the longitudinal rear end of the inwardly convex curved portion as the base, and two imaginary straight lines connecting the maximum point of the inwardly convex curved portion and the longitudinal front end and the longitudinal rear end respectively as the two sides, the angle formed by the vertex of the longitudinal rear end of the triangle is greater than 3° and less than 35°.

9. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: In the rear area or the portion close to the rear area in the area opposite to the excretion part, there is a partition in which the longitudinal front end of the first longitudinal recessed part and the longitudinal rear end of the second longitudinal recessed part are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction or the transverse direction. A portion of the outer edge of the wing portion that is located at the same position as the partition portion in the longitudinal direction has a narrowed portion that is bent inward in the lateral direction.

10. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The absorbent body has a transverse depression that is recessed from the skin-opposing surface to the non-skin-opposing surface and extends in the transverse direction, and the transverse depression includes: a first transverse depression that is disposed in the rear region or the portion of the excretion portion-opposing region close to the rear region; and a second transverse depression that is disposed in the front region or the portion of the excretion portion-opposing region close to the front region. In the region overlapping the absorbent body in a plan view, the compression recovery property of the region between the lateral recessed portions sandwiched by the first lateral recessed portions and the second lateral recessed portions is higher than the compression recovery property of the region adjacent to the region between the lateral recessed portions in the longitudinal direction.

11. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The wing portion includes a pair of side wing portions located on the outer side in the transverse direction relative to a pair of imaginary straight lines passing through the outermost end in the transverse direction of the absorbent body and extending in the longitudinal direction, The side wing portions are not provided with fixing members for fixing the side wing portions to clothing.

12. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The absorbent body includes a fiber mass layer mainly composed of fiber masses containing non-water-absorbent fibers in the region facing the excretion part.

13. The absorbent article according to claim 12, wherein: The fiber masses are entangled with each other.

14. The absorbent article according to claim 12, wherein: At least in the excretion portion-opposing region, the non-skin-opposing side of the absorbent body has a higher fiber mass occupancy rate calculated by the following formula (A) than the skin-opposing side of the absorbent body. Fiber mass occupancy rate (mass %) = {Content mass of fiber mass / (Content mass of water-absorbing material+Content mass of fiber mass)}×100 (A).

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