Absorbent article

Abstract

To provide an absorbent article which is excellent in fitness to a body of a wearer.SOLUTION: When an absorbent body 2 is in an unfolded and fully stretched state, and a side panel 7 is in a natural state, if a virtual straight line V1 passing through an intersection point P1 of an inner end of the side panel 7 in a longitudinal direction and a side edge 2S of the absorbent body 2 and an intersection point P2 of an inner end of a fastening tape 8 in a longitudinal direction and an outer side edge 7X1 of the side panel 7 is drawn with respect to each one of a pair of fastening members 6, 6, an intersection point P3 of the two virtual straight lines V1, V1 is positioned closer to an abdominal side part A than a longitudinal center line CLx of a diaper 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an expandable absorbent article provided with a fastening member used when wearing the article. [Background technology]

[0002] Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers typically have an absorbent main body having a ventral section disposed on the ventral side of the wearer, a dorsal section disposed on the back side, and a crotch section located between them, and the absorbent main body includes an absorber that absorbs and retains bodily fluids of the wearer. Conventionally, flat-type disposable diapers have been known in which a pair of side panels stretchable in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction are attached to both side edges of the absorbent main body in the vertical direction (the direction corresponding to the front-to-back direction of the wearer) of the dorsal section so as to extend outward in the horizontal direction from the side edges, and fastening tapes are attached to the leading ends of each side panel in the extending direction (Patent Documents 1 and 2). This flat-type diaper can be put on by stretching the fastening tape on the dorsal section toward the ventral side of the wearer and fastening the fastening parts provided at the leading ends of the tapes to the outer surface of the ventral section. Absorbent articles with such side panels can be manufactured by manufacturing the side panels in a separate process from the absorbent main body and then attaching them to the absorbent main body, which reduces the amount of material used for the side panels and the waste generated from that material, making them environmentally and cost-effective.

[0003] Patent Document 3 describes that in an absorbent article having a pair of left and right side panels, by focusing on the intersection of two imaginary lines passing through the fixing point of each side panel to the absorbent main body and the fixing point of the fastening tape to the side panel, and by appropriately setting the position of the non-stacking portion in the absorbent core where the forming material is substantially absent in relation to the intersection, problems such as reduced fit caused by the fastening operation of the fastening tape can be solved. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-120663 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-125353 [Patent Document 3] JP 2017-51281 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In general, flat-type diapers have fewer stretchable portions than pants-type diapers with waist openings and leg openings, and therefore, they tend to fit poorly to the wearer's body, particularly around the buttocks, making them more susceptible to leakage. Fastening members such as fastening tapes provided in flat-type diapers have a significant impact on the fit of the diaper, and improvements in this area are desired.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article that has excellent fit to the body of a wearer. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention provides an absorbent article having a vertical direction extending from the wearer's abdomen through the crotch region to the back, and a horizontal direction perpendicular thereto, and having a crotch region that is arranged in the crotch region when worn, a abdomen-side region that is arranged closer to the wearer's abdomen than the crotch region, and a back-side region that is arranged closer to the wearer's back than the crotch region, and comprising an absorbent main body including an absorber, and a pair of fastening members fixed to both side edge portions of the absorbent main body along the vertical direction in the back-side region. In one embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention, the pair of fastening members each include a side panel fixed to the absorbent main body so as to extend outward in the horizontal direction from a side edge of the absorbent main body along the vertical direction, and a fastening tape fixed to the side panel so as to extend outward in the horizontal direction from an outer edge of the side panel along the vertical direction. In one embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention, when the absorbent main body is unfolded and in a maximum stretched state and the side panels are in a natural state, if an imaginary straight line V1 is drawn for each of a pair of fastening members, passing through an intersection P1 between the inner longitudinal end of the side panel and the side edge of the absorbent main body, and an intersection P2 between the inner longitudinal end of the fastening tape and the outer edge of the side panel, the intersection P3 of the two imaginary straight lines V1 is located closer to the abdominal side than the longitudinal center of the absorbent article. Other features, advantages and embodiments of the present invention are described below. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, an absorbent article that has an excellent fit to the body of a wearer is provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of the skin-facing side (topsheet side) of a disposable diaper, which is one embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention, in an unfolded state, in which the absorbent main body is unfolded and in a maximum stretched state, and components of the diaper that do not overlap the absorbent main body in a planar view are unfolded and in a natural state. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross section taken along line II in FIG. 1 (a cross section along the thickness direction and the lateral direction of the absorbent article). [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross section taken along line II-II in FIG. 1 (a cross section along the thickness direction and the lateral direction of the absorbent article). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention will be described below based on preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are designated by the same or similar reference numerals. The drawings are basically schematic, and the ratios of the dimensions may differ from those of the actual ones.

[0011] 1 to 3 show a disposable diaper 1, which is one embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention. The diaper 1 has a longitudinal direction X corresponding to the front-to-rear direction of the wearer, i.e., the direction extending from the ventral side through the crotch region to the dorsal side, and a transverse direction Y perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X. The diaper 1 also has a crotch region B that is arranged in the crotch region of the wearer and includes an excretory region-facing region (not shown) that faces the excretory region such as the penis, a ventral region A that is arranged closer to the ventral side (front side) of the wearer than the crotch region B, and a dorsal region C that is arranged closer to the dorsal side (rear side) of the wearer than the crotch region B.

[0012] The diaper 1 is a so-called flat-type diaper, and comprises an absorbent body 2 including an absorber 5, and a pair of fastening members 6, 6 fixed to both side edge portions (side flap portions 21) of the absorbent body 2 along the longitudinal direction X in the back portion C, and is fitted to a wearer by fastening the fastening members 6 (more specifically, fastening portions 82 of fastening tapes 8 described later) to fastening regions 9 on the outer surface (non-skin-facing surface) of the absorbent body 2.

[0013] In this embodiment, the diaper 1 is formed symmetrically on one side and the other side across the lateral centerline CLy in the unfolded and maximally stretched state. The ventral portion A is a part of the front body F of the diaper 1, and the back portion C is a part of the rear body R of the diaper 1. The crotch portion B straddles the vertical centerline CLx in the vertical direction X and extends across both the front body F and the rear body R. In the present invention, the abdominal region A, the crotch region B, and the back region C may be each of the regions obtained by dividing the diaper 1 in the unfolded and maximally stretched state into three equal parts in the longitudinal direction X. The horizontal centerline CLy is an imaginary line extending in the longitudinal direction X, dividing the diaper 1 in its unfolded and maximally stretched state into two equal parts in the horizontal direction Y. The vertical centerline CLx is an imaginary line extending in the horizontal direction Y, dividing the diaper 1 in its unfolded and maximally stretched state into two equal parts in the vertical direction X.

[0014] The "unfolded and fully stretched state" refers to a state in which the object (such as an absorbent article) is unfolded flat, and the elastic members of each part of the unfolded object are fully stretched until the object reaches the designed dimensions, i.e., the dimensions when unfolded flat without any influence of the elastic members. The diaper 1 shown in FIG. 1 is not entirely in the unfolded and fully stretched state, but is partially in a natural state. In other words, in the diaper shown in FIG. 1, the absorbent main body 2, more specifically, the absorbent main body 2 and the members overlapping it in a planar view, are in the unfolded and fully stretched state, while the members of the diaper 1 that do not overlap the absorbent main body 2 in a planar view, specifically, the side panels 7, fastening tapes 8, and abdominal flaps 14, which will be described later, are in the unfolded and fully stretched state. The "natural state" referred to here refers to a state in which no external force is acting.

[0015] In this embodiment, the absorbent main body 2 has a rectangular shape that is elongated in the longitudinal direction X in a plan view in an unfolded and fully extended state as shown in Fig. 1. The absorbent main body 2 is a component that forms the main part of the diaper 1, and includes, in addition to the absorbent core 5, a topsheet 3 arranged on the skin-facing side of the absorbent core 5 and a backsheet 4 arranged on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent core 5. Both sheets 3 and 4 extend outward in the longitudinal direction X from both ends of the absorbent core 5 in the longitudinal direction X, and also extend outward in the lateral direction Y from both side edges of the absorbent core 5 along the longitudinal direction X. The constituent members of the absorbent main body 2 are joined to each other by a known joining means such as an adhesive. The absorbent main body 2 includes a portion where the three types of members 3, 4, and 5 are arranged (a portion that overlaps with the absorbent core 5 in a plan view) and a portion (a flap portion) where at least one of the members 3 and 4 other than the absorbent core 5 is arranged.

[0016] In this specification, when focusing on an absorbent article or a component thereof (e.g., an absorbent body), the "skin-facing side" refers to the side that faces the wearer's skin when the absorbent article is worn, and the "non-skin-facing side" refers to the side that faces away from the wearer's skin when the absorbent article is worn. In other words, the skin-facing side is the outer surface that is relatively close to the wearer's skin, and the non-skin-facing side is the outer surface that is relatively far from the wearer's skin. Furthermore, "when worn" and "in a worn state" refer to a state in which the absorbent article is worn while maintaining the correct wearing position.

[0017] As the constituent members of the absorbent body 2, any materials that are normally used in this type of absorbent article can be used without any particular restrictions. As the topsheet 3, various types of liquid-permeable sheets can be used, including, for example, nonwoven fabric, woven fabric, and paper. The back sheet 4 may be a leakproof sheet, specifically a liquid-impermeable sheet (a sheet that does not allow liquid to pass through at all) or a sheet that is poorly liquid-permeable (a sheet that is not liquid-impermeable but does allow liquid to pass through with difficulty), such as a moisture-permeable resin film or a laminate of such a resin film and a nonwoven fabric. The absorbent body 5 typically includes an absorbent core primarily composed of at least a water-absorbent material. Examples of the water-absorbent material include hydrophilic fibers and water-absorbent polymers, and these can be used alone or in combination of two or more. Examples of the hydrophilic fibers include natural fibers such as wood pulp and hydrophilic synthetic fibers. Examples of the water-absorbent polymer include those conventionally used in this type of absorbent body, without particular limitation, and examples thereof include polymers or copolymers of acrylic acid or alkali metal acrylates.

[0018] 1 and 2, the absorbent body 5 of this embodiment includes a first core 51 and a second core 52 disposed on the non-skin-facing side of the first core 51. Both cores 51, 52 are absorbent cores mainly made of a water-absorbent material. Absorbent cores can be broadly divided into the stacked fiber type and the sheet type described below, and either type can be used in the present invention. A fiber-stacking type absorbent core typically has a structure in which a fiber aggregate such as hydrophilic fibers is the main component, and water-absorbent polymer particles are optionally supported on the aggregate. A fiber-stacking type absorbent core can be manufactured in accordance with a conventional method using a known fiber-stacking device equipped with a rotating drum. The fiber-stacking device typically includes a rotating drum having an accumulation recess formed on its outer circumferential surface, and a duct having an internal flow path for transporting absorbent core forming materials (fibers, water-absorbent polymer particles) to the accumulation recess. While the rotating drum is rotated around its rotation axis along the drum circumferential direction, the forming materials are transported on an airflow generated in the flow path by suction from the inside of the rotating drum, and are stacked in the accumulation recess. Sheet-type absorbent cores typically have a structure in which water-absorbent polymer particles are fixed inside or on the surface of a fiber sheet, and are also called absorbent sheets. Examples of the fiber sheet that can be used include paper and nonwoven fabric. Sheet-type absorbent cores are thinner and more flexible than stacked-fiber absorbent cores. Sheet-type absorbent cores can have a structure in which water-absorbent polymer particles are interposed between two opposing fiber sheets. Examples of sheet-type absorbent cores that can be used include those described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2963647 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 2955223.

[0019] In the present invention, one of the cores 51, 52 may be a stacking type and the other a sheet type, or both may be either a stacking type or a sheet type. A preferred embodiment of the absorbent body 5 is one in which the first core 51 is a stacking type and the second core is a sheet type. The basis weight of the stacked fiber type absorbent core is preferably 150 g / m 2 More preferably, 200 g / m 2 or more, and preferably 600 g / m 2 Less than 500 g / m 2 The following is the result. The basis weight of the sheet-type absorbent core is preferably 50 g / m 2 More preferably, 75 g / m 2 or more, and preferably 300 g / m2 or less, more preferably 250 g / m 2 The following is the result.

[0020] The thickness of the absorbent body 5 under no pressure before absorbing body fluids is preferably 2.5 mm or more, more preferably 3.0 mm or more, and preferably 6.0 mm or less, more preferably 5.5 mm or less. The thickness of the first core 51 under no pressure before absorbing body fluids is preferably 2.0 mm or more, more preferably 2.5 mm or more, and preferably 4.5 mm or less, more preferably 4.0 mm or less. The thickness of the second core 52 under no pressure before absorbing body fluids is preferably 0.4 mm or more, more preferably 0.5 mm or more, and preferably 4.0 mm or less, more preferably 3.5 mm or less.

[0021] In this embodiment, the first core 51 and the second core 52 have different shapes in a plan view. That is, in a plan view of the absorbent main body 2 in an unfolded and maximally stretched state as shown in Fig. 1 , the second core 52 has a rectangular shape, and the length (width) of the second core 52 in the lateral direction Y is constant in the longitudinal direction X, whereas the length (width) of the first core 51 in the lateral direction Y is not constant in the longitudinal direction X. The first core 51 has two widths: a maximum lateral length (maximum width) and a minimum lateral length (minimum width) that is shorter than the maximum lateral length. More specifically, the first core 51 has, in the longitudinal direction X, a wide portion 510 having a relatively long width, a narrow portion 511 having a relatively short width, and a width-varying portion 512 located between the wide portion 510 and the narrow portion 511 and whose width gradually increases from the inside to the outside in the longitudinal direction X (from the back side to the ventral side). The width of the wide portion 510 is the maximum width of the first core 51, the width of the narrow portion 511 is the minimum width of the first core 51, and the width of the width-changing portion 512 is intermediate between the maximum width and the minimum width. The end portion (ventral end) of the first core 51 in the longitudinal direction X on the ventral portion A side is the wide portion 510, and the end portion (dorsal end) of the first core 51 in the longitudinal direction X on the dorsal portion C side is the narrow portion 511. The width of the wide portion 510 is approximately the same as the width of the second core 52, while the width of the narrow portion 511 is narrower than the width of the second core 52, and the second core 52 has a pair of extension portions, at least in the crotch portion B, that extend outward in the lateral direction Y from both side edges of the first core 51 (narrow portion 511) along the longitudinal direction X. The first core 51 has a shorter length in the longitudinal direction X than the second core 52, and an area extending from the end of the second core 52 in the longitudinal direction X on the dorsal portion C side to a predetermined distance inward in the longitudinal direction X (an area sandwiched between the pair of side panels 7, 7, excluding an area near the crotch portion B) is an area where the first core 51 is not arranged (see FIGS. 1 and 3). In the diaper 1, the first core 51 is biased toward the abdominal portion A.

[0022] 2 and 3, the absorbent body 5 of this embodiment includes a core wrap sheet 53 that covers the outer surfaces of both cores 51, 52. In this embodiment, in the regions where both cores 51, 52 are present (abdominal portion A, crotch portion B), both cores 51, 52 are integrally covered with the core wrap sheet 53 (see FIG. 2), but both cores 51, 52 may also be individually covered with the core wrap sheet in these regions. The core wrap sheet 53 is preferably a liquid-permeable sheet, and for example, paper, nonwoven fabric, etc. can be used.

[0023] In this embodiment, the diaper 1 includes a pair of leak-barrier cuffs 10, 10 arranged along both sides of the absorbent main body 2 in the longitudinal direction X. Each leak-barrier cuff 10 includes a liquid-impermeable, breathable leak-barrier sheet 11. One end of the leak-barrier sheet 11 in the transverse direction Y is fixed to another member (the backsheet 4 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 ) as a fixed end, and the other end of the leak-barrier sheet 11 in the transverse direction Y is a free end that is not fixed to another member. Leak-barrier cuff-forming elastic members 12 are fixed to the free ends of the leak-barrier sheet 11 in a stretched state in the longitudinal direction X, and are arranged to be stretchable in the same direction. When the diaper 1 is worn, the contractile force of the elastic members 12 causes the free ends of the leak-barrier sheet 11, at least in the crotch region B, to rise toward the wearer with the fixed ends as their rising bases, thereby causing the pair of leak-barrier cuffs 10, 10 to rise, thereby preventing the outflow of excrement such as urine in the transverse direction Y. In Figure 2, for ease of explanation, the leak-proof cuffs 10 are shown in an upright position, but when the absorbent main body 2 is in the unfolded and maximum stretched state as shown in Figure 1, the leak-proof cuffs 10 do not necessarily stand up as shown in Figure 2.

[0024] In this embodiment, the absorbent main body 2 has flap portions located outward from the peripheral edge of the absorbent body 5. The flap portions are composed of members arranged to straddle the peripheral edge of the absorbent body 5, and in the illustrated embodiment, include a topsheet 3, a backsheet 4, and a leak-proof sheet 11. The multiple members constituting the flap portions are joined to each other by known joining means such as adhesive, heat sealing, or ultrasonic sealing. The flap portions have side edges along the longitudinal direction X of the absorbent body 5 and portions located outward in the lateral direction Y from imaginary extensions of the side edges, which are side flap portions 21 that are both side edges along the longitudinal direction X of the absorbent main body 2 (in other words, both ends in the lateral direction Y). The outermost portions of the side flap portions 21 in the lateral direction Y are side edges 2S of the absorbent main body 2 that are along the longitudinal direction X. Leg gather-forming elastic members 13 are arranged in at least a portion of each of the pair of side flap portions 21 that is located in the crotch portion B so as to be stretchable in the longitudinal direction X.

[0025] The fastening member 6, which is one of the characteristic features of the diaper 1, will be described in detail below. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, each of the pair of fastening members 6, 6 includes a side panel 7 fixed to the absorbent main body 2 so as to extend outward in the horizontal direction Y from the side edge 2S of the absorbent main body 2, and a fastening tape 8 fixed to the side panel 7 so as to extend outward in the horizontal direction Y from the outer edge 7X1 of the side panel 7 along the vertical direction X.

[0026] The side panel 7 is preferably stretchable in the horizontal direction Y. In this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the side panel 7 is provided with elastic members 72 arranged to be stretchable in the horizontal direction Y, and the elastic members 72 provide stretchability in the same direction. That is, in this embodiment, the side panel 7 includes a panel material 71 that forms the main body of the side panel 7, and an elastic member 72 fixed to the panel material 71 to be stretchable in the horizontal direction Y. More specifically, the side panel 7 includes two opposing panel materials 71, 71, and a plurality of elastic members 72 extending in the horizontal direction Y are arranged intermittently in the vertical direction X between the two panel materials 71, 71. The material of the panel material 71 is not particularly limited, and examples include nonwoven fabrics made by various manufacturing methods such as air-through nonwoven fabrics, heat-rolled nonwoven fabrics, spunlace nonwoven fabrics, spunbonded nonwoven fabrics, and meltblown nonwoven fabrics; woven fabrics, knitted fabrics, paper, resin films, etc., and composite sheets made by laminating one or more of these types together can also be used. In the present invention, the means for imparting stretchability to the side panel 7 in the lateral direction Y is not particularly limited, and the panel material 71 may be stretchable in the lateral direction Y. In this case, the side panel 7 does not need to be equipped with the elastic member 72.

[0027] In this embodiment, the side panel 7 has a quadrangular shape (rectangular shape) in a planar view in its natural state as shown in Fig. 1. The outer edge 7X1 of the side panel 7 to which the fastening tape 8 is fixed is the side edge located outward in the horizontal direction Y (opposite the absorbent main body 2) of both side edges 7X1, 7X2 of the side panel 7 along the vertical direction X. The inner edge 7X2 of the side panel 7 located opposite the outer edge 7X1 and its vicinity (the inner edge of the side panel 7) are fixed to the side flap portion 21, which is the side edge of the absorbent main body 2, by known fixing means such as adhesive or fusion bonding. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner edge of the side panel 7 is fixed between two opposing sheets (the back sheet 4 and the leak-proof sheet 11) that make up the side flap portion 21 (see Figure 3), but it may also be fixed to the skin-facing side of the side flap portion 21 (the skin-facing side of the leak-proof sheet 11 in the illustrated embodiment) or to the non-skin-facing side of the side flap portion 21 (the non-skin-facing side of the back sheet 4 in the illustrated embodiment).

[0028] The fastening tape 8 can be any material that can be used in this type of flat-type diaper, without any particular limitations. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the fastening tape 8 includes a tape substrate 81 having a rectangular shape in a plan view and a fastening portion 82 fixed to the tape substrate 81. The material of the tape substrate 81 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a nonwoven fabric and a laminate of a nonwoven fabric and a resin film. One end of the fastening tape 8 in the longitudinal direction (lateral direction Y) is fixed to the outer edge 7X1 of the side panel 7 and its vicinity (the outer edge of the side panel 7) by known means such as adhesive or fusion bonding. In the illustrated embodiment, the fastening tape 8 is fixed to the non-skin-facing surface of the side panel 7 (see FIG. 3), but it may also be fixed to the skin-facing surface of the side panel 7.

[0029] The fastening portion 82 is fixed to the skin-facing surface of the tape substrate 81 extending from the outer edge 7X1 of the side panel 7. The fastening portion 82 is removably attached to a fastening region 9 (see FIG. 1 ) provided on the outer surface (non-skin-facing surface) of the absorbent main body 2 in the abdominal portion A. In the present invention, the fastening structure including the fastening portion 82 and the fastening region 9 is not particularly limited, and any fastening structure in this type of flat-type diaper can be used without particular limitation. An example of the fastening structure is a mechanical hook-and-loop fastener. The term "mechanical hook-and-loop fastener" used herein refers to a fastener that is a combination of a surface member (male member) having hook-like protrusions (engaging members) arranged on one surface thereof and a surface member (female member) having loop-like protrusions arranged on one surface thereof. A specific example of a mechanical hook-and-loop fastener is Magic Tape (registered trademark). Typically, the fastening portion 82 is the male member and the fastening region is the female member, but this may be reversed.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 1 , the diaper 1 of this embodiment includes a pair of abdominal flaps 14, 14 extending outward in the lateral direction Y from both side edges 2S, 2S of the absorbent main body 2 in the abdominal portion A. The abdominal flaps 14 are fixed to the side edges (side flap portions 21) of the absorbent main body 2, similar to the side panels 7. The method of fixing the abdominal flaps 14 to the absorbent main body 2 (fixing means, fixing position, etc.) applies as appropriate to the method of fixing the side panels 7 to the absorbent main body 2. The material of the abdominal flaps 14 is not particularly limited, and for example, a non-stretchable sheet material (e.g., nonwoven fabric) can be used. The abdominal flaps 14 may be omitted.

[0031] One of the main roles of the abdominal flaps 14 is to assist in putting on the diaper 1. Specifically, when putting on the diaper 1, typically, the abdominal portion A is temporarily fastened to the wearer's body while the fastening tape 8 of the back portion C is pulled toward the abdominal portion A, thereby fastening the fastening portion 82 of the fastening tape 8 to the fastening region 9 of the abdominal portion A. By temporarily fastening the abdominal portion A, for example, by pulling the abdominal flaps 14 toward the back portion C, using the abdominal flaps 14, the putting on of the diaper 1 can be made smoother. Furthermore, if the fastening portion 82 is made of a relatively hard material, such as a male member of a mechanical hook-and-loop fastener, the fastening portion 82 made of such a hard material may come into contact with the wearer's skin due to, for example, a mistake in putting on the diaper or unexpected detachment of the fastening portion 82 from the fastening region 9, which may result in skin irritation. The abdominal flap 14 also plays a role in preventing inconveniences caused by such contact between the fastening part 82 and the wearer's skin.

[0032] One of the main features of the diaper 1 is that, as shown in FIG. 1 , when the absorbent main body 2 is unfolded and in its maximum stretched state and the pair of side panels 7, 7 is in its natural state, if an imaginary straight line V1 is drawn for each of the pair of fastening members 6, 6, passing through an intersection P1 between an inner end 7Y2 in the longitudinal direction X of the side panel 7 and a side edge 2S of the absorbent main body 2 and an intersection P2 between an inner end 8Y2 in the longitudinal direction X of the fastening tape 8 and an outer edge 7X1 of the side panel 7, the intersection P3 of the two imaginary straight lines V1, V1 is located closer to the abdominal region A than the center (longitudinal center line CLx) of the diaper 1 in the longitudinal direction X (hereinafter also referred to as the "first feature"). The inner end 7Y2 of the side panel 7 is the longitudinal end located on the inner side in the longitudinal direction X (relatively closer to the longitudinal centerline CLx) of both ends 7Y1, 7Y2 of the side panel 7 along the transverse direction Y. The outer end 7Y1 of the side panel 7 is farther from the longitudinal centerline CLx than the inner end 7Y2. Similarly, the inner end 8Y2 of the fastening tape 8 is the longitudinal end located on the inner side in the longitudinal direction X of both ends 8Y1, 8Y2 of the fastening tape 8 along the transverse direction Y. The outer end 8Y1 of the fastening tape 8 is farther from the longitudinal centerline CLx than the inner end 8Y2.

[0033] The absorbent article of the present invention, typified by the diaper 1, has the first characteristic and therefore provides an excellent fit to the wearer's body, particularly to the wearer's buttocks in the dorsal region C. That is, due to the first characteristic, the intersection P3 of the two imaginary straight lines V1, V1 is located closer to the abdominal region A than the longitudinal centerline CLx of the diaper 1. Therefore, when the fastening tapes 8 are grasped and the diaper 1 is pulled toward the wearer's skin during the operation of putting on the diaper 1, the absorbent body 5 easily follows this and comes into close contact with the skin, thereby improving the fit of the absorbent body 5. The imaginary straight line V1 substantially coincides with the line of force formed when the fastening tapes 8 are pulled outward in the lateral direction Y during the operation of putting on the diaper 1, and the intersection P3 is the point on which the tensile force acts when the fastening tapes 8 are grasped and the diaper 1 is pulled up.

[0034] Regarding the first feature, the distance G1 (see Figure 1) between the vertical center line CLx of the diaper 1 and the intersection point P3 is preferably 3 mm or more, more preferably 5 mm or more, and preferably 60 mm or less, more preferably 50 mm or less, provided that the intersection point P3 is located closer to the abdominal region A than the vertical center line CLx.

[0035] 1, in a plan view, the fastening tape 8 overlaps an imaginary line V2 that bisects the side panel 7 in the vertical direction X and extends in the horizontal direction Y, and an imaginary line V3 that bisects the fastening tape 8 in the vertical direction X and extends in the horizontal direction Y is positioned outward in the vertical direction X from the imaginary line V2. In other words, in this embodiment, the fastening tape 8 is not positioned at the center of the side panel 7 in the vertical direction X, but is biased outward in the vertical direction X (relatively farther from the vertical center line CLx) than the center of the side panel 7 in the vertical direction X. Hereinafter, this configuration will also be referred to as the "second feature." According to the second feature, the fastening tape 8 is secured to the side panel 7 closer to the outer end 7Y1 than to the center (imaginary line V2) of the side panel 7 in the longitudinal direction X. This results in a degree of stretch of the side panel 7 that varies across the longitudinal direction X when the fastening tape 8 is gripped and pulled. Specifically, the center (imaginary line V3) of the fastening tape 8 in the longitudinal direction X, located closer to the outer end 7Y1, has the highest degree of stretch, while the inner end 7Y2 has the lowest degree of stretch, with the degree of stretch decreasing from the imaginary line V3 toward the inner end 7Y2. This allows the shape of the diaper 1, particularly the shape of the rear body portion R of the diaper 1 including the back portion C to which the side panel 7 is secured, to conform to the shape of the wearer's buttocks when the fastening tape 8 is gripped and pulled during the donning operation of the diaper 1, to thereby provide an excellent fit to the buttocks. The combined effects of the first and second features of the present invention further ensure the effects of the present invention.

[0036] Regarding the second feature, the distance G2 (see FIG. 1) between the imaginary line V2 of the side panel 7 and the imaginary line V3 of the fastening tape 8 is preferably 5 mm or more, more preferably 10 mm or more, and preferably 30 mm or less, more preferably 25 mm or less, provided that the imaginary line V2 is located more inward in the vertical direction X than the imaginary line V3 (relatively closer to the vertical center line CLx).

[0037] 1, in the present embodiment, the length Lb in the vertical direction X of a portion of the outer edge 7X1 of the side panel 7 that is located inward in the vertical direction X from the fastening tape 8 (relatively closer to the vertical center line CLx) is longer than the length La in the vertical direction X of the portion of the fastening tape 8 that overlaps with the outer edge 7X1. Hereinafter, this configuration will also be referred to as the "third feature." According to the third feature, the length Lb corresponding to the distance in the longitudinal direction X between the fastening tape 8 and the inner end 7Y2 of the side panel 7 is longer than the length La corresponding to the fixing width of the fastening tape 8 (Lb>La), so that the rear body panel R can cover the entire buttocks of the wearer at all times while wearing the diaper 1, preventing the buttocks from protruding and eliminating anxiety about leakage. The effects of the first to third features combine to more reliably achieve the effects of the present invention.

[0038] Regarding the third feature, the ratio of the longitudinal length Lb of the side panel 7 to the longitudinal length La of the fastening tape 8, assuming the former is greater than the latter, is preferably 1.1 or more, more preferably 1.2 or more, and preferably 1.8 or less, more preferably 1.6 or less. The longitudinal length La is preferably 20 mm or more, more preferably 25 mm or more, and is preferably 50 mm or less, more preferably 40 mm or less, provided that it is shorter than the longitudinal length Lb. On the premise that the longitudinal length Lb is longer than the longitudinal length La, it is preferably 25 mm or more, more preferably 30 mm or more, and preferably 60 mm or less, more preferably 55 mm or less.

[0039] 1, in the present embodiment having the third feature, the length Lc in the longitudinal direction X of a portion of the outer edge 7X1 of the side panel 7 that is located outward in the longitudinal direction X from the fastening tape 8 (relatively farther from the longitudinal center line CLx) is shorter than the length La in the longitudinal direction X of the portion of the fastening tape 8 that overlaps with the outer edge 7X1. Establishing this relationship, "the longitudinal length Lc of the side panel 7 < the longitudinal length La of the fastening tape 8," improves the fit, particularly at the back portion C, and further ensures the effects of the present invention. The ratio of the longitudinal length Lc of the side panel 7 to the longitudinal length La of the fastening tape 8, assuming the former is less than the latter, is preferably 0.2 or more, more preferably 0.25 or more, and preferably 0.7 or less, more preferably 0.6 or less. On the premise that the longitudinal length Lc is shorter than the longitudinal length La, it is preferably 3 mm or more, more preferably 5 mm or more, and preferably 30 mm or less, more preferably 25 mm or less.

[0040] In the present invention, the longitudinal length Lc of the side panel 7 may be zero. In other words, in the diaper 1, as shown in Fig. 1, the outer end 7Y1 of the side panel 7 and the outer end 8Y1 of the fastening tape 8 are located at different positions in the longitudinal direction X, but in the present invention, both outer ends 7Y1, 8Y1 may be located at the same position in the longitudinal direction X.

[0041] In this embodiment, as described above, the absorbent body 5 includes a first core 51 and a second core 52 arranged on the non-skin-facing side thereof, and the length (width) of the first core 51 in the horizontal direction Y is not constant in the vertical direction X. The first core 51 has a maximum horizontal length (maximum width) and a shorter minimum horizontal length (minimum width), and the intersection P3 related to the first feature overlaps with a portion of the first core 51 other than the portion having the maximum width (wide portion 510), as shown in Fig. 1, and more specifically, overlaps with the narrow portion 511 which is the portion having the smallest width in the first core 51. With this configuration, the effect of the first feature described above (the effect of the fastening tape 8 improving the fit of the absorbent body 5) is more reliably achieved than when the intersection P3 overlaps with the wide portion 510. In order to achieve such an effect, it is sufficient that intersection point P3 overlaps with a portion other than the portion having the maximum width of the first core, and intersection point P3 may also overlap with a portion having a width intermediate between the maximum and minimum widths of the first core, such as width changing portion 512 of first core 51.

[0042] 1, the inner edge of the fastening tape 8 along the longitudinal direction X is fixed to the side panel 7 over the entire length of the inner edge in the longitudinal direction X. More specifically, the inner edge 8X2 of the fastening tape 8 and its vicinity (the inner edge) are fixed to the outer edge 7X1 of the side panel 7 and its vicinity (the outer edge of the side panel 7) from the outer end 8Y1 to the inner end 8Y2 of the fastening tape 8 by a known means such as adhesive or fusion. The inner edge 8X2 of the fastening tape 8 is the side edge located on the inner side in the lateral direction Y (towards the absorbent main body 2) of both side edges of the fastening tape 8 along the longitudinal direction X. The manner in which the fastening tape 8 is fixed to the side panel 7 is in contrast to that in the absorbent article described in Patent Document 1. That is, in the absorbent article described in Patent Document 1, as shown in Figure 2 of the same document, only a portion of the inner edge of the fastening tape 4 along the Y direction (longitudinal direction) is fixed to the stretchable waist panel 3 (side panel) on the upper edge 42b (outer edge) side, and the portion of the inner edge extending from the lower edge 42a (inner edge) toward the upper edge 42b by a distance d2 is not fixed to the stretchable waist panel 3. In this embodiment, the fastening tape is secured to the side panel 7 along the entire inner edge thereof, thereby further improving the fit and appearance of the absorbent article when worn. Specifically, in the diaper 1, the fastening tape 8 is secured to the side panel 7 along the entire inner edge thereof, making it difficult for the fastening tape 8 to come off the side panel 7. Furthermore, when the fastening portion 82 of the fastening tape 8 is fastened to the fastening region 9 on the outer surface (non-skin-facing surface) of the absorbent main body 2, the diaper 1 maintains a good fit to the wearer's body, particularly the fit of the back portion C to the buttocks of the wearer, even when the wearer moves vigorously. Furthermore, the side panel 7 is pulled by the entire inner edge of the fastening tape 8 when worn, providing various effects, such as a good silhouette.

[0043] The absorbent article of the present invention broadly includes articles used to absorb bodily fluids (urine, loose stools, menstrual blood, sweat, etc.) discharged from the human body, and includes, in addition to disposable diapers as in the above-described embodiment, for example, diaper covers, pad holders, etc.

[0044] The present invention has been described above based on its preferred embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the invention. For example, the absorbent body 5 provided in the above-described diaper 1 has a laminated structure of the first core 51 and the second core 52, but the absorbent body according to the present invention may have a single layer structure. There are no particular limitations on the shape in a plan view of the absorber 5 (first core 51, second core 52). For example, as described above, if the first core 51 is such that "the length (width) of the first core 51 in the horizontal direction Y is not constant in the vertical direction X, and the first core 51 has a maximum horizontal length (maximum width) and a minimum horizontal length (minimum width) that is shorter than the maximum horizontal length (maximum width)," the shape in a plan view of the first core 51 that satisfies this requirement is not limited to the shape shown in Fig. 1 (rice scoop shape), and may be, for example, an hourglass shape. The absorbent body 5 may have a recess having an opening on at least one of the skin-facing surface and the non-skin-facing surface. For example, in the absorbent body 5 of the above embodiment, if a through-hole penetrating the first core 51 in the thickness direction is formed in the first core 51 and no through-hole is formed in the second core 52 at a position corresponding to the through-hole, the through-hole of the first core becomes the recess having an opening on the skin-facing surface of the absorbent body 5. Furthermore, for example, in the absorbent body 5 of the above embodiment, if a through-hole penetrating the first core 51 and the second core 52 in the thickness direction is formed, the through-hole becomes the recess having openings on both the skin-facing surface and the non-skin-facing surface of the absorbent body 5. The following supplementary notes are further disclosed regarding the above-described embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] <1> An absorbent article having a vertical direction extending from the wearer's abdomen side through the crotch portion to the back side and a horizontal direction perpendicular thereto, and having a crotch portion arranged in the crotch portion when worn, a abdomen-side portion arranged closer to the wearer's abdomen than the crotch portion, and a back-side portion arranged closer to the wearer's back than the crotch portion, the absorbent article comprising an absorbent main body including an absorber, and a pair of fastening members fixed to both side edge portions of the absorbent main body along the vertical direction in the back-side portion, Each of the pair of fastening members includes a side panel fixed to the absorbent main body so as to extend outward in the horizontal direction from a side edge of the absorbent main body along the vertical direction, and a fastening tape fixed to the side panel so as to extend outward in the horizontal direction from an outer edge of the side panel along the vertical direction, When the absorbent main body is unfolded and in a maximum stretched state and the side panels are in a natural state, and when an imaginary straight line V1 is drawn for each of a pair of fastening members, passing through an intersection P1 between the inner end of the side panel in the vertical direction and the side edge of the absorbent main body, and an intersection P2 between the inner end of the fastening tape in the vertical direction and the outer edge of the side panel, the intersection P3 of the two imaginary straight lines V1 is located closer to the abdominal side portion than the vertical center of the absorbent article. <2> The distance (G1) between the longitudinal center (CLx) of the absorbent article and the intersection point P3 is preferably 3 mm or more, more preferably 5 mm or more, and preferably 60 mm or less, more preferably 50 mm or less. <1> The absorbent article according to claim 1. <3> The fastening tape overlaps, in a plan view, with an imaginary line V2 that divides the side panel in half in the vertical direction and extends in the horizontal direction, and an imaginary line V3 that divides the fastening tape in half in the vertical direction and extends in the horizontal direction is located outward in the vertical direction from the imaginary line V2. <1> or <2> The absorbent article according to claim 1. <4> The distance (G2) between the virtual straight lines V2 and V3 is preferably 5 mm or more, more preferably 10 mm or more, and is preferably 30 mm or less, more preferably 25 mm or less. <3> The absorbent article according to claim 1.

[0046] <5> A longitudinal length Lb of a portion of the outer edge of the side panel that is located inward in the longitudinal direction from the fastening tape is longer than a longitudinal length La of the fastening tape at an overlapping portion with the outer edge. <1> ~ <4> 10. The absorbent article according to claim 1 . <6> The ratio of the length Lb in the longitudinal direction to the length La in the longitudinal direction, expressed as the former / the latter, is preferably 1.1 or more, more preferably 1.2 or more, and is preferably 1.8 or less, more preferably 1.6 or less. <5> The absorbent article according to claim 1. <7> The longitudinal length La is preferably 20 mm or more, more preferably 25 mm or more, and is preferably 50 mm or less, more preferably 40 mm or less. <5> or <6> The absorbent article according to claim 1. <8> The longitudinal length Lb is preferably 25 mm or more, more preferably 30 mm or more, and is preferably 60 mm or less, more preferably 55 mm or less. <5> ~ <7> 10. The absorbent article according to claim 1 .

[0047] <9> a longitudinal length Lc of a portion of the outer edge of the side panel that is positioned outward in the longitudinal direction from the fastening tape is shorter than the longitudinal length La; <5> ~ <8> 10. The absorbent article according to claim 1 . <10> The ratio of the longitudinal length Lc to the longitudinal length La, as the former / latter, is preferably 0.2 or more, more preferably 0.25 or more, and is preferably 0.7 or less, more preferably 0.6 or less. <9> The absorbent article according to claim 1. <11> The longitudinal length Lc is preferably 3 mm or more, more preferably 5 mm or more, and is preferably 30 mm or less, more preferably 25 mm or less. <9> or <10> The absorbent article according to claim 1. <12> The longitudinal length Lc is zero, in other words, the outer end (7Y1) of the side panel along the lateral direction and the outer end (8Y1) of the fastening tape along the lateral direction are at the same position in the longitudinal direction. <9> ~ <11> 10. The absorbent article according to claim 1 .

[0048] <13> The side panels are stretchable in the lateral direction. <1> ~ <12> 10. The absorbent article according to claim 1 . <14> The side panel includes a panel material and an elastic member fixed to the panel material so as to be stretchable in the lateral direction. <1> ~ <13> 10. The absorbent article according to claim 1 . <15> The side panel has a quadrangular shape (rectangular shape) in a plan view in its natural state. <1> ~ <14> 10. The absorbent article according to claim 1 . <16> The fastening tape includes a tape base material and a fastening part fixed to the tape base material and capable of being fastened to an outer surface (non-skin facing surface) of the absorbent main body in the abdominal side portion. <1> ~ <15> 10. The absorbent article according to claim 1 . <17> The fastening portion is a male member of a mechanical hook-and-loop fastener. <16> The absorbent article according to claim 1. <18> The abdominal portion is provided with a pair of abdominal flaps extending outward in the horizontal direction from both side edges of the absorbent main body along the vertical direction. <1> ~ <17> 10. The absorbent article according to claim 1 .

[0049] <19> The absorbent body includes a first core and a second core disposed on the non-skin-facing side of the first core. <1> ~ <18> 10. The absorbent article according to claim 1 . <20> The horizontal length of the first core is not constant in the vertical direction, and the first core has a maximum horizontal length and a minimum horizontal length that is shorter than the maximum horizontal length. <19> The absorbent article according to claim 1. <21> the intersection point P3 overlaps with a portion of the first core other than the portion having the maximum horizontal length; <19> or <20> The absorbent article according to claim 1. <22> The first core and the second core are each a stack-type absorbent core mainly composed of an aggregate of fiber materials, or a sheet-type absorbent core in which water-absorbing polymer particles are fixed inside or on the surface of a fiber sheet, The basis weight of the stacked fiber type absorbent core is preferably 150 g / m 2 More preferably, 200 g / m 2 or more, and preferably 600 g / m 2 Less than 500 g / m 2 is as follows: The basis weight of the sheet-type absorbent core is preferably 50 g / m 2 More preferably, 75 g / m 2 or more, and preferably 300 g / m 2 or less, more preferably 250 g / m 2 The aforementioned <19> ~ <21> 10. The absorbent article according to claim 1 . <23> The thickness of the absorbent body under no pressure before absorbing body fluids is preferably 2.5 mm or more, more preferably 3.0 mm or more, and preferably 6.0 mm or less, more preferably 5.5 mm or less, the thickness of the first core under no pressure before absorbing body fluids is preferably 2.0 mm or more, more preferably 2.5 mm or more, and preferably 4.5 mm or less, more preferably 4.0 mm or less; The thickness of the second core under no pressure before absorbing body fluids is preferably 0.4 mm or more, more preferably 0.5 mm or more, and preferably 4.0 mm or less, more preferably 3.5 mm or less. <19> ~ <22> 10. The absorbent article according to claim 1 . <24> The absorbent body includes a core wrap sheet that integrally covers the first core and the second core. <19> ~ <23> 10. The absorbent article according to claim 1 . <25> The absorbent body further includes a pair of leak-proof cuffs disposed along both sides of the absorbent body in the longitudinal direction. <1> ~ <24> 10. The absorbent article according to claim 1 . <26> The absorbent main body includes a flap portion located outward from the periphery of the absorbent body, The both side edge portions along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent main body are composed of both side edges along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body in the flap portion and portions (side flap portions) located outward in the lateral direction from imaginary extension lines of the both side edges. <1> ~ <25> 10. The absorbent article according to claim 1 . <27> The inner edge of the fastening tape along the longitudinal direction is fixed to the side panel over the entire length of the inner edge in the longitudinal direction. <1> ~ <26> 10. The absorbent article according to claim 1 . [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1. Disposable diapers (absorbent articles) A. Ventral part B Inseam C dorsal part 2. Absorbent body 2S Side edge of absorbent body 5. Absorbent 51 First Core 510 Wide part of first core 511 Narrow part of first core 512 Width change portion of first core 52 Second Core 6 Fastening components 7 Side Panel 8 Fastening Tape X vertical direction Y horizontal direction

Claims

1. An absorbent article having a vertical direction extending from the wearer's abdomen side through the crotch portion to the back side and a horizontal direction perpendicular thereto, and having a crotch portion arranged in the crotch portion when worn, a abdomen-side portion arranged closer to the wearer's abdomen than the crotch portion, and a back-side portion arranged closer to the wearer's back than the crotch portion, the absorbent article comprising an absorbent main body including an absorber, and a pair of fastening members fixed to both side edge portions of the absorbent main body along the vertical direction in the back-side portion, The absorbent body includes a first core and a second core disposed on the non-skin-facing side of the first core, Each of the pair of fastening members includes a side panel fixed to the absorbent main body so as to extend outward in the horizontal direction from a side edge of the absorbent main body along the vertical direction, and a fastening tape fixed to the side panel so as to extend outward in the horizontal direction from an outer edge of the side panel along the vertical direction, The side panels include elastic members arranged to be stretchable in the lateral direction, When the absorbent main body is unfolded and in a maximum stretched state and the side panels are in a natural state, if an imaginary straight line V1 is drawn for each of the pair of fastening members, passing through an intersection P1 between the inner end of the side panel in the longitudinal direction and the side edge of the absorbent main body and an intersection P2 between the inner end of the fastening tape in the longitudinal direction and the outer edge of the side panel, an intersection P3 of the two imaginary straight lines V1 is located closer to the abdominal side portion than the center of the absorbent article in the longitudinal direction, An absorbent article, wherein the vertical length Lb of the portion of the outer edge of the side panel that is located vertically inward of the fastening tape is longer than the vertical length La of the overlapping portion of the fastening tape with the outer edge.

2. 2. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the fastening tape overlaps in a planar view with an imaginary line V2 that divides the side panel in half in the vertical direction and extends in the horizontal direction, and an imaginary line V3 that divides the fastening tape in half in the vertical direction and extends in the horizontal direction is located outward in the vertical direction from the imaginary line V2.

3. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a longitudinal length Lc of a portion of the outer edge of the side panel that is positioned outward in the longitudinal direction from the fastening tape is shorter than the longitudinal length La.

4. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lateral length of the first core is not constant in the longitudinal direction, and the first core has a maximum lateral length and a minimum lateral length that is shorter than the maximum lateral length.

5. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the intersection point P3 overlaps with a portion of the first core other than the portion having the maximum lateral length.

6. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an inner edge portion of the fastening tape along the longitudinal direction is fixed to the side panel over the entire length of the inner edge portion in the longitudinal direction.

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