Disposable diaper, packaging body of disposable diaper, and series of disposable diaper

Abstract

To provide a disposable diaper achieving both discriminability of the front and back when being worn, and an appearance printed by continuous printing, and to provide a packaging body of the disposable diaper, and series of the disposable diaper.SOLUTION: In a diaper 1, an exterior body 3 has a pair of elastic areas 35 expanding and contracting in a lateral direction Y, and a non-elastic area 38 having no elasticity at least in one of a ventral part A and a back side part B, and has a pair of display areas 20 in a side area of an absorbent body 5 or a part of the exterior body 3, overlapped on the side area. One of the pair of display areas 20, 20 is continuously printed with drawing patterns, or they are each continuously printed with different drawing patterns. The drawing patterns are intermittently or continuously arranged along a warp direction X. At least in one of the ventral part A and the back side part B, the drawing patterns and the elastic areas 35 are overlapped, and the visibility is changed with expansion and contraction of the elastic areas 35.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a disposable diaper, a package of disposable diapers, and a series of disposable diapers. [Background technology]

[0002] In order to facilitate proper donning, various absorbent articles such as disposable diapers have been proposed in which the front and back sides of the product are printed so that the front and back sides can be easily distinguished. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an absorbent article with front and back markings, in which front and back markings are printed directly on an exterior sheet that contacts the inner surface of a cover means that covers the outside of an absorbent element.

[0003] The present applicant has previously proposed an absorbent article in which the outer surface side of a back sheet arranged on the non-skin-facing side of an absorbent body has a multi-colored pattern of a character viewed from the front formed on the ventral side, and a pattern of the character viewed from the back formed on the dorsal side (Patent Document 2).

[0004] Patent Document 3 discloses an absorbent pad for low weight infants, which has a prescribed dimension, has an outer sheet arranged on the non-skin side of the absorbent body, has a design pattern visible from the non-skin side, and is not folded when packaged. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-291786 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2012-105804 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2019-208960 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The absorbent article of Patent Document 1 has arrows and letters indicating the front and rear directions printed at regular intervals in the horizontal center of the article. However, for infants who cannot recognize arrows or letters, there is little point in highlighting the arrows or letters, and once the absorbent article is worn, there is little need to distinguish the front and rear directions. Furthermore, for the purpose of improving productivity, patterns printed on absorbent articles and the like may be formed by so-called "continuous printing," which does not require pitch control during paper splicing. When this continuous printing is used, the design is such that arrows indicating the forward and backward directions and letters are arranged at regular intervals, as in Patent Document 1, which limits the freedom of design and may impair the appearance. Patent Documents 1 to 3 do not particularly consider how to balance the distinguishability between the front and back when worn and the appearance of the pattern printed by continuous printing.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention relates to a disposable diaper, a package of disposable diapers, and a series of disposable diapers which achieve both the ease of distinguishing between front and back when worn and the appearance achieved by continuous printing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention relates to a disposable diaper which comprises an absorbent main body including an absorber, and an outer body arranged on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent main body, and which, when worn, has a ventral side portion arranged on the ventral side of a wearer, a dorsal side portion arranged on the dorsal side of the wearer, and a crotch portion located between the ventral side portion and the dorsal side portion, and which has a vertical direction extending from the ventral side portion via the crotch portion to the dorsal side portion, and a horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. In one embodiment, the outer body has a pair of stretchable regions that stretch in the lateral direction in at least one of the ventral side and the dorsal side, and a non-stretchable region that is located between the stretchable regions and has no stretchability, and it is preferable that the stretchable regions exist in the lateral direction from the side regions of the absorbent main body outward from the side edges of the absorbent main body. In one embodiment, the absorbent body or the exterior body preferably has a pair of indication regions for distinguishing between left and right in the side regions or in the portions overlapping the side regions. In one embodiment, it is preferable that a pattern is continuously printed on one of the pair of display areas, or that different patterns are continuously printed on each of the pair of display areas. In one embodiment, the patterns are preferably arranged intermittently or continuously along the vertical direction. In one embodiment, it is preferable that the pattern and the stretchable region overlap in at least one of the ventral portion and the dorsal portion, and the visibility of the pattern changes as the stretchable region stretches.

[0009] The present invention also relates to a package of disposable diapers, in which a plurality of the disposable diapers are housed in a package. In one embodiment, it is preferable that a method for distinguishing between left and right disposable diapers using the display area is displayed on the package.

[0010] The present invention also relates to said series of disposable diapers. In one embodiment, the disposable diapers include a plurality of types of disposable diapers with different sizes, and it is preferable that the shape or color of the pattern is common to the plurality of types of disposable diapers. Effect of the Invention

[0011] The disposable diaper, disposable diaper package, and disposable diaper series of the present invention can achieve both the ease of distinguishing between the front and back when worn and the appearance achieved by continuous printing. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a disposable diaper according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the disposable diaper shown in FIG. 1 in an unfolded and extended state, as viewed from the skin-facing surface side. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the disposable diaper shown in FIG. 1 in an unfolded and extended state, as viewed from the non-skin-facing surface side. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a rear view showing the disposable diaper shown in FIG. 1 in a worn state. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged plan view showing the positional relationship between the display area shown in FIG. 3 and the leakage preventing cuffs and leg elastic members. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic view of the absorbent body, the leakage preventing cuffs and the leg elastic members shown in FIG. 4 in a worn state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE DISCLOSURE The disposable diaper of the present invention will now be described based on its preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. Figures 1 to 7 show one embodiment of the disposable diaper of the present invention. As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, a disposable diaper 1 of this embodiment (hereinafter also simply referred to as "diaper 1") has, when worn, a ventral portion A arranged on the ventral side of a wearer, a dorsal portion B arranged on the dorsal side of the wearer, and a crotch portion C located between the ventral portion A and the dorsal portion B. The crotch portion C is a portion arranged in the crotch portion of a wearer when the diaper 1 is worn. The diaper 1 has a longitudinal direction X corresponding to the direction extending from the ventral portion A through the crotch portion C to the dorsal portion B, which corresponds to the front-to-rear direction of the wearer, and a lateral direction Y perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X.

[0014] The diaper 1 comprises an absorbent main body 5 including an absorbent body 4, and an exterior body 3 arranged on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent main body 5 (see Figs. 1 to 3). In this specification, the "skin-facing side" refers to the side of the diaper 1 or its constituent members (e.g., the topsheet 12 or the exterior body 3) that faces the wearer's skin when the diaper 1 is worn, i.e., the side relatively closer to the wearer's skin, and the "non-skin-facing side" refers to the side of the diaper 1 or its constituent members that faces the side opposite the skin side when the diaper 1 is worn, i.e., the side relatively farther from the wearer's skin. Note that "when worn" here refers to the normal, appropriate wearing position, i.e., a state in which the diaper 1 is maintained in the correct wearing position.

[0015] 2 and 3, the diaper 1, in an unfolded and stretched state, is formed symmetrically with respect to a longitudinal centerline CL (an imaginary line) which extends in the longitudinal direction X and bisects the diaper 1 in the transverse direction Y. As shown in Fig. 2, the absorbent main body 5 has a rectangular shape in a plan view, and its longitudinal direction coincides with the longitudinal direction X of the diaper 1 in the unfolded and stretched state. The absorbent main body 5 is disposed in the center of the transverse direction Y of the exterior body 3 (an outer layer sheet 31 and an inner layer sheet 32) described below, in a plan view.

[0016] The "unfolded and stretched state" of the diaper 1 refers to a state in which the diaper 1 is unfolded by cutting the diaper 1 at the side seal portion 11 described below, and the diaper 1 in the unfolded state is stretched to the design dimensions (the same dimensions as when the diaper 1 is unfolded flat with all the influence of the elastic members eliminated). In this specification, each dimension of each part of the diaper 1, such as the length in the vertical direction X or the horizontal direction Y, refers to the dimension (design dimension) when the elastic members in each part are stretched and each member is stretched, unless otherwise specified.

[0017] The exterior body 3 of the diaper 1 of this embodiment has a ventral sheet member 3A forming the outer edge of the ventral portion A, and a back sheet member 3B forming the outer edge of the back portion B. Both side edges of the ventral sheet member 3A along the longitudinal direction X become both side edges of the ventral portion A along the longitudinal direction X. Also, both side edges of the back sheet member 3B along the longitudinal direction X become both side edges of the back portion B along the longitudinal direction X. The both side edges of the ventral portion A and the back portion B are joined to each other by a known joining means such as an adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive, heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, etc., to form a pair of side seal portions 11, 11, and also form a waist opening 7 through which the wearer's torso passes, and a pair of leg openings 8 through which the wearer's lower legs pass (see FIG. 1).

[0018] 2, the absorbent main body 5 is fixed across the center of the ventral sheet member 3A in the lateral direction Y and the center of the dorsal sheet member 3B in the lateral direction Y. The portions of the absorbent main body 5 overlapping with the ventral sheet member 3A and the dorsal sheet member 3B are joined entirely or partially to both sheet members 3A, 3B by a known joining means such as an adhesive. The exterior body 3 may have narrow regions, for example, regions of 10 mm or less, at both ends of the ventral or dorsal sheet members 3A, 3B in the lateral direction Y, where the ventral sheet member 3A and the dorsal sheet member 3B are not joined. Such a case is also included in the form in which the ventral portion A and the dorsal portion B are joined at both side edges in the lateral direction Y.

[0019] The absorbent body 5 comprises an absorbent body 4 which is the main liquid absorbing part, a top sheet 12 arranged on the skin-facing side of the absorbent body 4, a leakproof sheet 13 arranged on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body 4, and a pair of leakproof cuffs 16, 16 which are arranged on the skin-facing side of the top sheet 12 and stand up on the skin-facing side at least in the crotch area C. The absorbent body 4, like the absorbent main body 5, has a shape that is elongated in the longitudinal direction X of the diaper 1. The absorbent body 4 is disposed between the topsheet 12 and the leak-proof sheet 13. From the viewpoint of improving the feel, the absorbent main body 5 may have a covering sheet that covers the non-skin facing surface of the absorbent main body 5 on the non-skin facing side of the crotch part C, i.e., on the non-skin facing side of the leakproof sheet 13. In this case, the covering sheet is configured so that the side pattern and center pattern described later can be visually recognized.

[0020] The absorbent body 4 of this embodiment is configured to include absorbent cores 14s, 14c and a core wrap sheet 4a that covers the surfaces (skin-facing surface and non-skin-facing surface) of the absorbent cores 14s, 14c (see FIG. 4).

[0021] The absorbent body 5 of this embodiment is provided with a pair of leakage preventing cuffs 16, 16 on both sides along the longitudinal direction X of the skin-facing surface. As shown in Fig. 4, the leakage preventing cuff 16 of this embodiment is formed by folding a cuff-forming sheet 16b in half and joining two opposing cuff-forming sheets 16b together. The cuff-forming sheet 16b is a liquid-resistant or water-repellent and breathable sheet. The leakage preventing cuff 16 of this embodiment has a cuff elastic member 16a between the two opposing cuff-forming sheets 16b. The cuff elastic member 16a is disposed at the inner end of the leakage preventing cuff 16 in the transverse direction Y (see Figs. 2 and 4).

[0022] The cuff elastic members 16a are arranged in a stretched state in the longitudinal direction X. Each of the leakage preventing cuffs 16 has a base end fixed to the top sheet 12 and a free end to which the cuff elastic members 16a are fixed. The leakage preventing cuffs 16 are arranged such that the free ends of the leakage preventing cuffs 16 stand up at least in the crotch region C as the cuff elastic members 16a arranged in a stretched state in the longitudinal direction X contract (not shown). The leakage preventing cuffs 16 of this embodiment have their inner ends in the transverse direction Y joined to the top sheet 12 at both ends in the longitudinal direction X. This prevents the leakage preventing cuffs 16 from standing up at both ends in the longitudinal direction X (the end on the abdominal side A side and the end on the dorsal side B side) (see FIG. 4). At both ends in the longitudinal direction X, the leakage preventing cuffs 16 are joined to the top sheet 12 by a known joining means such as an adhesive.

[0023] The cuff-forming sheet 16b in this embodiment extends outward in the horizontal direction Y from both side edges along the longitudinal direction X of the absorbent body 4, forming outward extending portions 16c that cover the skin-facing surfaces of both sides of the leakproof sheet 13. The outward extending portions 16c wrap around from both side edges of the leakproof sheet 13 to the non-skin-facing surface side, and are fixed between the leakproof sheet 13 and the inner layer sheet 32 ​​of the exterior body 3 (see FIG. 4). Such fixing is achieved by a known joining means such as an adhesive.

[0024] The absorbent main body 5 of this embodiment has leg edges LS that form leg gathers on the outer side in the lateral direction Y of the absorbent body 4. The leg edges LS are edges that form the opening ends of the leg openings. The leg edges LS of this embodiment include outward extensions 16c and leg elastic members 17, and leg gathers are formed at the leg edges LS by the expansion and contraction of the leg elastic members 17. The leg elastic members 17 are arranged in a stretched state in the longitudinal direction X between the outward extensions 16c and the leak-proof sheet 13 (see FIG. 4). When the exterior body 3 forms the outer edge of the crotch portion C of the diaper 1, the leg edges LS may be formed by the exterior body 3 in the crotch portion C. In this case, the leg elastic members 17 are disposed in a stretched state along the leg openings, for example, between the inner sheet 32 ​​and the outer sheet 31.

[0025] The exterior body 3 has, in at least one of the ventral portion A and the dorsal portion B, a pair of stretchable regions 35 that stretch in the lateral direction Y, and a non-stretchable region 38 that is located between the stretchable regions 35, 35 and has no stretchability (see FIG. 3). In the exterior body 3 of this embodiment, the ventral sheet member 3A and the dorsal sheet member 3B each include an outer layer sheet 31 that forms the outer surface of the diaper, an inner layer sheet 32 ​​that is arranged closer to the wearer's skin than the outer layer sheet 31, and a plurality of elastic members 34a, 34b that are arranged between the outer layer sheet 31 and the inner layer sheet 32 ​​in a stretched state in the lateral direction Y. More specifically, each of the ventral sheet member 3A and the dorsal sheet member 3B has waist elastic members 34b arranged on both sides of the absorbent main body 5 in the lateral direction Y, and waist elastic members 34a arranged on the vertical outer side of the absorbent main body 5 (see Figures 2 and 3).

[0026] The waist elastic member 34a extends between the side seal portions 11, 11 in the lateral direction Y, and the overall length of the elastic member 34a is approximately equal to the overall width of the abdominal portion A and the overall width of the back portion B. Due to the elasticity of the waist elastic member 34a, a substantially continuous annular waist gather (pleats) is formed around the entire periphery of the opening edge of the waist opening 7.

[0027] The waist elastic members 34b are arranged on both the left and right sides (both sides in the lateral direction Y) of the ventral sheet member 3A and the back sheet member 3B, and the inner ends of the elastic members 34b in the lateral direction Y are spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction Y. The inner ends of the waist elastic members 34b partially overlap the absorbent main body 5 and extend beyond both side edges of the absorbent main body 5 to the side seal portion 11. The region in which the waist elastic members 34b are arranged is the stretchable region 35 (see FIG. 3). The region between the waist elastic members 34b in the lateral direction Y, in which the elastic members 34b are arranged in a state in which they do not exhibit elastic stretchability, or in which the elastic members 34b are not arranged, is the non-stretchable region 38 (see FIG. 3). In the non-stretchable region 38 of this embodiment, the waist elastic members 34b are arranged so as not to exhibit elastic stretchability by processing such as finely dividing them.

[0028] The waist elastic members 34b are arranged so as to overlap with the side regions of the absorbent main body 5. That is, the stretchable regions 35 exist in the lateral direction Y from the side regions of the absorbent main body 5 outward from the side edges of the absorbent main body 5. The side regions of the absorbent main body 5 are the regions on both sides in the lateral direction Y when the entire length of the absorbent main body 5 in the lateral direction Y is divided into three equal regions.

[0029] The absorbent body 5 of this embodiment has a pair of display areas 20 for distinguishing between left and right on the non-skin facing surface of the side region (see FIG. 3). The display areas 20 are areas on which patterns for distinguishing between left and right are continuously printed. In the pair of display areas 20 of this embodiment, different patterns 21, 22 are continuously printed. Specifically, on the non-skin facing surface of the leak-proof sheet 13, along both sides along the vertical direction X, a circular pattern 21 is continuously printed in one display area 20, and a star-shaped pattern 22 is continuously printed in the other display area 20. Hereinafter, the patterns 21, 22 in the display areas 20 are also referred to as "side patterns 21, 22". In the diaper 1 of this embodiment, the different side patterns 21, 22 between the pair of display areas 20 make it possible to distinguish between the left and right orientations of the diaper 1, and the front and back orientations when worn can be easily distinguished by the left and right identification. In this specification, "continuous printing" refers to a printing method in which a design is repeatedly printed regardless of the product dimensions of the absorbent article, and the position of the printed object or the cut position of the printed object does not matter in the continuously printed area. For example, a pattern design such as a monogram composed of multiple types of designs can be mentioned. The opposite printing method to continuous printing is "pitch printing." Pitch printing is a printing method that prints a pattern designed to match the dimensions of each component that makes up an absorbent article, such as an absorbent body, and is designed to match the position of the object to be printed and the cutting position of the object to be printed.

[0030] "The side patterns printed continuously in the pair of display areas 20, 20 are different from each other" means that either one or both of the shape and color of the side patterns in the pair of display areas 20, 20 are different. Examples of such a form include a form in which the shapes are the same but the colors are different, a form in which the colors are the same but the shapes are different, and a form in which both the shapes and the colors are different.

[0031] "The colors of the side patterns in the pair of display areas 20, 20 are different from each other" means that the color difference between the colors of the side patterns is 10 or more. The color difference is measured by a known color difference meter.

[0032] The form in which the shapes are different includes a form in which the concept is the same for both side patterns of the pair of display areas 20, 20. For example, the form in which the both side patterns are animals and are different types, such as a rabbit and a dog, the form in which the both side patterns are vehicles and are different types, such as a car and an airplane, the form in which the both side patterns are plants and are different parts, such as a flower and a leaf, etc. Also, the form in which the both side patterns are different letters, such as "L" and "R", etc., may be used. When side patterns of multiple shapes are printed continuously in one display area 20, the coating area of ​​each side pattern is calculated, and the side pattern with the largest area is determined as the side pattern for that display area 20. In order to further improve the distinguishability between the front and rear of the diaper 1, it is preferable that the pair of marking regions 20 have side patterns 21, 22 which are different from each other in shape and color.

[0033] The designs displayed in the display area 20 include designs of animals, vehicles, food, plants, animals, letters, musical notes, stars, rainbows, clouds, musical instruments, and the like. The design may be a figure, a symbol, a letter, a color, or a combination of these. The figure may be a circular shape such as a perfect circle or an ellipse, or may be a geometric shape such as a polygon or regular polygon, such as a triangle, a rectangle, a pentagon, or a hexagon. Symbols include arrows, crosses, musical notes, and the like. The characters may be hiragana, katakana, uppercase and lowercase English letters, Arabic numerals, Roman numerals, foreign characters, combinations of these, or deformed characters. The design formed by colors may be, for example, an area colored with ink that extends continuously or intermittently in the vertical direction X. The colored area may be in the form of a pattern.

[0034] The side patterns 21, 22 in the display area 20 of the embodiment are arranged intermittently along the vertical direction X (see FIG. 3). That is, in one display area 20, a plurality of side patterns 21 are arranged along the vertical direction X, and the side patterns 21 adjacent to each other in the vertical direction X are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction X. Alternatively, the side patterns in the display area 20 may be arranged continuously. In this case, the side patterns in the display area 20 are continuous in the vertical direction X without any gaps in the vertical direction X. Examples of such patterns include patterns composed of lines such as straight lines and dotted lines or straight lines and wavy lines (stripes, etc.), and various patterns such as checkered patterns, animal patterns, and Japanese patterns. These patterns may be the same in each of the pair of display areas 20 (left and right) but in different colors. It is preferable that the pair of display areas 20 have a pattern pattern, since it gives the diaper 1 an underwear-like appearance.

[0035] In the diaper 1 of this embodiment, the side patterns 21, 22 in the display area 20 overlap with the stretchable area 35 in at least one of the ventral portion A and the back portion B (see Figs. 3 and 4). This allows the visibility of the side patterns 21, 22 to change with the stretchable area 35. For example, when the wearer puts on the diaper 1, the wearer performs an operation to widen the waist opening 7, that is, to widen the outer body 3 (ventral sheet member 3A, back sheet member 3B) in the lateral direction Y. This operation smooths out the wrinkles in the stretchable area 35 stretched in the lateral direction Y, making it easier to see the side patterns 21, 22 overlapping with the stretchable area 35. An operator or a wearer putting on the diaper 1 on a wearer can distinguish the front and rear of the diaper 1 (the ventral portion A side or the back portion B side) from the left-right positional relationship of the side patterns 21, 22 and put the diaper on in an appropriate wearing state. After the diaper 1 is worn, the elastic region 35 shrinks in the lateral direction Y, and the side regions of the absorbent body 5 are deformed so as to be pulled toward the wearer's skin. As a result, wrinkles are generated along the contour of the absorbent body 4, and the side patterns 21, 22 enter the wrinkles, making the patterns 21, 22 difficult to see (see FIG. 5). In this way, the side patterns 21, 22 for distinguishing the front and back of the diaper 1 are easy to see when worn, but are difficult to see when worn after being worn. Therefore, the diaper 1 of this embodiment can provide patterns other than the display region 20 that are not intended to distinguish the front and back, improving the design freedom and appearance of the diaper 1. Therefore, the diaper 1 of this embodiment can achieve both the distinguishability of the front and back when worn and the appearance printed by continuous printing.

[0036] In the diaper 1 of this embodiment, the side patterns 21, 22 and the stretchable region 35 overlap in both the ventral sheet member 3A and the dorsal sheet member 3B, i.e., in both the ventral portion A and the dorsal portion B. Alternatively, the side patterns 21, 22 and the stretchable region 35 may overlap only in the ventral portion A, or the side patterns 21, 22 and the stretchable region 35 may overlap only in the dorsal portion B.

[0037] It is sufficient that the side patterns 21, 22 at least partially overlap the stretchable region 35. In addition, in the ventral portion A and the back portion B, the overlapping areas of the side patterns 21, 22 and the stretchable region 35 may be the same or different from each other. In order to make the side patterns 21, 22 less visible when the stretchable region 35 is contracted, the width of the side pattern 21 overlapping with the stretchable region 35 in the horizontal direction Y (the length in the horizontal direction Y) is preferably 50% or more, more preferably 75% or more of the total width W2 (total length in the horizontal direction Y, see FIG. 6). It is even more preferable that such a ratio is 100%. In other words, it is even more preferable that the total width W2 of the side patterns 21, 22 overlaps with the stretchable region 35. The effect of making the side patterns 21, 22 difficult to see when the stretchable region 35 is contracted is hereinafter also referred to as the "pattern hiding effect." For ease of explanation, cuff elastic member 16a is omitted from FIG.

[0038] In order to further improve the pattern hiding effect, the elongation ratio in the lateral direction Y of the waist elastic member 34b in the stretch region 35 is preferably 1.5 times or more, more preferably 2.0 times or more, and is preferably 4.0 times or less, more preferably 3.5 times or less, and is preferably 1.5 times or more and 4.0 times or less, and more preferably 2.0 times or more and 3.5 times or less. In this specification, the elongation rate is measured by the following method.

[0039] [Method of measuring elongation rate] The diaper 1 is separated at the side seal portion 11 and placed in its natural state (contracted state). With a distance La between each elastic member in the stretch direction, two marks are made with an oil-based pen on the outer surface (non-skin facing surface) of the diaper 1 at the location of each elastic member. Next, the diaper 1 is placed in an unfolded and stretched state (see FIG. 1), and the length Lb between the two marks is measured. This measurement is performed three times for each elastic member, and the elongation ratio (times) is calculated from the arithmetic mean value of the values ​​calculated by the formula "Lb / La". The distance La can be, for example, 100 mm, but if the stretchable range is less than 100 mm, the distance La is made as wide as possible.

[0040] The absorbent main body 5 may have another pattern on the non-skin facing surface of the leakproof sheet 13, in a region other than the display region 20. From the viewpoint of further improving the appearance, it is preferable that the absorbent main body 5 has a pattern in a region other than the display region 20 that is not intended to distinguish between front and back. The absorbent main body 5 of this embodiment has a central region 25 between a pair of display regions 20, 20 (see FIG. 3). The range of the display region 20 in the horizontal direction Y is the entire width of the region where the side patterns 21, 22 are continuously printed, i.e., the entire width W2 of the side patterns 21, 22. The central region 25 is an area sandwiched between the pair of display regions 20, 20 on the non-skin-facing surface of the absorbent main body 5. The central region 25 has a pattern 26 visible from the non-skin facing side of the diaper 1. More specifically, the non-skin facing side of the absorbent body 5 (the non-skin facing side of the leakproof sheet 13) has a plurality of patterns 26, 27 depicting dolphins in a range from the ventral part A through the crotch part C to the dorsal part B. These patterns 26, 27 are intermittently arranged along the vertical direction X of the absorbent body 5, and the patterns 26, 27 adjacent to each other in the vertical direction X are inverted horizontally and vertically. The patterns 26, 27 in the central region 25 are hereinafter also referred to as "central patterns 26, 27". In this embodiment, the central patterns 26, 27 have a larger area than the side patterns 21, 22. The central patterns 26, 27 can also be provided by continuous printing, like the side patterns 21, 22.

[0041] It is preferable that the central patterns 26, 27 overlap the non-stretchable region 38, and it is more preferable that the central patterns 26, 27 overlap both the non-stretchable region 38 and the absorbent body 4. That is, it is preferable that at least one of the central patterns 26, 27 overlaps the non-stretchable region 38 in a plan view, and it is more preferable that the central pattern 26, which overlaps the non-stretchable region 38 in a plan view, overlaps the absorbent body 4 in a plan view. With this configuration, the occurrence of wrinkles due to the elastic member in the non-stretchable region 38 is suppressed, so that the visibility of the central pattern 26 can be further improved, and the appearance of the diaper 1 can be improved. To further improve the above-mentioned effect, the overall width of the central designs 26, 27 is preferably 20% to 100%, more preferably 40% to 80%, of the overall width of the non-stretchable region .

[0042] From the viewpoint of further improving the discrimination between the left and right sides by the display area 20, it is preferable that the side patterns 21, 22 and the central patterns 26, 27 are different from each other in either shape or color, or both, and it is more preferable that they are different in color. This makes it possible to more clearly distinguish the difference in appearance between the side patterns 21, 22.

[0043] From the viewpoint of achieving a better balance between the pattern hiding effect and the visibility of the central patterns 26, 27, the total length of the pair of stretchable regions 35, 35 in the horizontal direction Y is 50% or more, more preferably 60% or more, and preferably 85% or less, more preferably 80% or less, and preferably 50% or more and 85% or less, more preferably 60% or more and 80% or less, of the total length of the ventral part A or the dorsal part A in the horizontal direction Y. The "total length of the pair of stretchable regions 35, 35 in the horizontal direction Y" is the sum of the lengths of the stretchable regions 35, 35 on both sides in the horizontal direction Y (W1+W1) (see FIG. 3).

[0044] From the viewpoint of further improving the pattern hiding effect, the total length (W2+W2) of the pair of display areas 20, 20 in the horizontal direction Y is preferably 40% or less, more preferably 35% or less, of the length W5 (total width, see FIG. 2) of the absorbent body 5 in the horizontal direction Y. From the viewpoint of further improving the visibility of the side patterns 21, 22, the lower limit of the ratio [(W2+W2) / W5] is preferably 5% or more, more preferably 10% or more. That is, the ratio [(W2+W2) / W5] is preferably 5% or more and 40% or less, more preferably 10% or more and 35% or less. The "total length of the pair of display areas 20, 20 in the horizontal direction Y" is the sum of the lengths of the display areas 20, 20 on both sides in the horizontal direction Y (W2+W2) (see FIG. 3).

[0045] In this embodiment, the side patterns 21, 22 are arranged intermittently along the vertical direction X (see Figs. 3 and 6). In this case, in order to further improve the visibility of the side patterns 21, 22, the distance D1 (see Fig. 6) between the side patterns 21, 22 in the vertical direction X is preferably 25% or less, more preferably 20% or less of the total length L5 (see Fig. 2) of the absorbent main body 5 in the vertical direction X. The lower limit of the distance D1 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 3% or more, and more preferably 5% or more. That is, the distance D1 is preferably 3% or more and preferably 25% or less, and more preferably 5% or more and 20% or less.

[0046] From the same viewpoint as above, it is preferable that the dimensions of the side patterns 21, 22 are within the following ranges. The overall width W2 (see FIG. 6) of the side patterns 21, 22 is preferably 10 mm or more, more preferably 15 mm or more, and is preferably 35 mm or less, more preferably 30 mm or less, and is preferably 10 mm or more and 35 mm or less, more preferably 15 mm or more and 30 mm or less. When the side patterns 21, 22 are arranged intermittently along the vertical direction X, the area of ​​the side patterns 21, 22 (see FIG. 6) is preferably 50 mm 2 More preferably, 100 mm 2 More than 1000 mm, preferably 2 Less than or equal to 700 mm, more preferably 2 Less than or equal to 50 mm, and preferably 2 More than 1000mm 2 Less than or equal to 100 mm, more preferably 2 More than 700mm 2 The following is the result.

[0047] The absorbent body 5 in this embodiment has a pair of leakage-proof cuffs 16, 16 extending in the vertical direction X on both sides in the horizontal direction Y on the skin-facing side, and a leg edge portion LS on the outer side in the horizontal direction Y of the absorbent body 4 (see Figures 2 and 4). From the viewpoint of further improving the pattern hiding effect, it is preferable that the leakage preventing cuffs 16 or the leg edges LS at least partially overlap the side patterns 21, 22 in a plan view when the diaper 1 is in an unfolded and stretched state, and it is more preferable that the leakage preventing cuffs 16 or the leg edges LS overlap the overall width W2 (see Fig. 6) of the side patterns 21, 22 in a plan view (see Figs. 3 and 4). With this configuration, the side regions of the absorbent main body 5 become more easily deformed due to contraction of the cuff elastic members 16a of the leakage preventing cuffs 16 or the leg elastic members 17 of the leg edges LS, as shown in Fig. 7, thereby further improving the pattern hiding effect.

[0048] From the viewpoint of more surely achieving the above-described effects, it is preferable that the length of the side patterns 21 and 22 in the lateral direction Y, that is, the total width W2 of the side patterns 21 and 22, is shorter than the total width W6 of the leak-proof cuff 16 (see FIG. 6). In this case, the total width W2 of the side patterns 21 and 22 is preferably less than 100% of the total width W6 of the leak-proof cuff 16, more preferably 80% or less. The lower limit value of such a ratio [W2 / W6] is not particularly limited, but is preferably 30% or more.

[0049] From the viewpoint of further improving the pattern hiding effect, the elongation rate of the cuff elastic member 16a in the lateral direction Y is preferably 2 times or more, more preferably 2.3 times or more, and is preferably 3.5 times or less, more preferably 3.2 times or less, and is preferably 2 times or more and 3.5 times or less, more preferably 2.3 times or more and 3.2 times or less.

[0050] As described above, the absorbent body 5 of the present embodiment has the leg elastic member 17 at the leg edge portion LS on the outer side in the lateral direction of the absorber 4. The length of the display area 20 in the lateral direction Y, that is, the total width W2 of the side patterns 21 and 22 (see FIG. 6), is preferably shorter than the length W3 of the area 17a (hereinafter also referred to as the "leg expansion and contraction area 17a") in which the leg elastic member 17 is arranged in the lateral direction Y (W2 < W3). With such a configuration, due to the contraction of the leg elastic member 17, as shown in FIG. 7, the side region of the absorbent body 5 is more likely to be deformed, and the pattern hiding effect can be further improved. In this case, the total width W2 of the side patterns 21 and 22 is preferably less than 100% of the total width W3 of the leg expansion and contraction area 17a, more preferably 80% or less. The lower limit value of such a ratio [W2 / W3] is not particularly limited, but is preferably 30% or more. The total width W3 of the leg expansion and contraction area 17a is the distance in the lateral direction Y between the leg elastic member 17 located most outward in the lateral direction Y and the leg elastic member 17 located most inward in the lateral direction Y.

[0051] The absorbent core in the absorbent body 4 of this embodiment has a pair of central absorbent cores 14c, 14c extending in the longitudinal direction X, and side absorbent cores 14s, 14s located on both sides of the central absorbent cores 14c, 14c in the transverse direction Y. A central fold guide portion 15c extending in the longitudinal direction X is formed between the pair of central absorbent cores 14c, 14c, and a side fold guide portion 15s extending in the longitudinal direction X is formed between the central absorbent core 14c and the side absorbent core 14s. The pair of central absorbent cores 14c, 14c are located between the pair of side fold guide portions 15s, 15s.

[0052] The absorbent body 4 of this embodiment is bent toward the skin-facing surface side from the central fold guide portion 15c, and is bent toward the non-skin-facing surface side from each of the side fold guide portions 15s, 15s. This makes it easier for the absorbent body 4 to deform so that the pair of side absorbent cores 14s, 14s stand toward the skin-facing surface side (see FIG. 7), and accordingly the side regions of the absorbent main body 5 stand toward the skin-facing surface side. This configuration is effective in further improving the pattern hiding effect. In order to further improve the pattern hiding effect, the absorbent core in the absorbent body 4 preferably has a pair of side fold guide portions 15s, 15s, and more preferably has a central fold guide portion 15c and a pair of side fold guide portions 15s, 15s. From the viewpoint of further improving the pattern hiding effect, it is preferable that the side patterns 21, 22 are positioned laterally outward of the side fold guide portions 15s, 15s positioned most outward in the lateral direction Y (see FIG. 4).

[0053] The folding guide portions 15c, 15s, 15s are composed of slits penetrating the absorbent core in the thickness direction Z of the diaper 1, or grooves formed on the skin-facing surface of the absorbent core. The folding guide portions 15c, 15s, 15s in this embodiment are the above-mentioned slits. Such slits have a basis weight of 0. From the viewpoint of deformability, it is preferable that the folding guide portions 15c, 15s, 15s are the above-mentioned slits. When the fold guide portions 15c, 15s, 15s are grooves, the basis weight of the fold guide portions 15c, 15s, 15s is preferably 70% or less, more preferably 50% or less of the basis weight of the portions other than the fold guide portions 15c, 15s, 15s (e.g., the absorbent cores 14c, 14s). The lower limit of this ratio is not particularly limited, but is preferably 5% or more.

[0054] When the absorbent core has, in plan view, a constricted portion on both side edges along the longitudinal direction X that is constricted inward in the transverse direction Y, it is preferable that the side patterns 21, 22 are located outward in the transverse direction Y from the constricted portion. With such a configuration, the side regions of the absorbent main body 5 become more easily deformed, and the pattern hiding effect can be further improved. In this case, it is preferable that the side patterns 21, 22 are located 5 mm or more away from the constricted portion in the transverse direction Y, and more preferably 10 mm or more away from the constricted portion in the transverse direction Y. In the above configuration, the lower limit of the distance of the side patterns 21, 22 from the constricted portion in the transverse direction Y is not particularly limited. In other words, it is sufficient that the side patterns 21, 22 are located between the constricted portion and the leg edge portion LS in the transverse direction Y.

[0055] The materials used to form each part of the diaper 1 in the above-described embodiment will now be described in detail. As the top sheet 12 and the absorbent body 4, any materials conventionally used in absorbent articles (diapers) can be used without any particular limitation. The top sheet 12 may be, for example, a liquid-permeable nonwoven fabric or a perforated film. The absorbent body 4 may use, as an absorbent core, a laminate of hydrophilic fibers such as wood pulp or hydrophilically treated synthetic fibers, or a laminate of such fibers retaining a water-absorbent polymer. The core wrap sheet 4a may be the same as the top sheet 12.

[0056] A liquid-impermeable or liquid-slightly permeable sheet can be used for the leak-proof sheet 13, and preferably has moisture permeability. Such a sheet can be a resin film or a laminate of a resin film and a nonwoven fabric. Examples of the resin film include films made of polymeric materials such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, cellophane, nylon, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl chloride, and polycarbonate, and moisture-permeable films.

[0057] The outer layer sheet 31 and the inner layer sheet 32 ​​in the exterior body 3 can be made of nonwoven fabric produced by various methods, such as spunbond nonwoven fabric, air-through nonwoven fabric, spunlace nonwoven fabric, heat-rolled nonwoven fabric, melt-blown nonwoven fabric, or laminated nonwoven fabrics thereof.

[0058] Elastic members such as the waist elastic member 34a, the waist elastic member 34b, the leg elastic members 17, and the cuff elastic members 16a can be made of various known elastic materials that are usually used in this type of absorbent article (diaper) without any particular restrictions. Examples of elastic materials include synthetic rubbers such as styrene-butadiene, butadiene, isoprene, and neoprene, natural rubber, EVA, stretchable polyolefin, and polyurethane. As the form of the elastic members, those in the form of threads (e.g., rubber threads) or strings (e.g., flat rubber) having a rectangular, square, circular, or polygonal cross section, or those in the form of multifilament threads can be preferably used.

[0059] The diaper 1 in the above-described embodiment has a pair of display areas 20, 20 on the non-skin facing surface of the absorbent main body 5 in the side regions of the absorbent main body 5. Alternatively, the diaper 1 may have a pair of display areas 20, 20 on the non-skin facing surface of the exterior body 3 in a portion overlapping with the side regions of the absorbent main body 5. When the exterior body 3 of the diaper having such a configuration has a ventral side sheet member 3A and a dorsal side sheet member 3B as shown in Fig. 3, the diaper 1 has the display area 20 on either or both of the ventral side portion A and the dorsal side portion B. The explanation of the above-described embodiment (Figs. 1 to 7) also applies to such a configuration.

[0060] In the diaper 1 of the above-mentioned embodiment, the different side patterns 21, 22 are continuously printed in each of the pair of display areas 20, 20. Alternatively, the diaper 1 may have a side pattern continuously printed in either one of the pair of display areas 20, 20. That is, one display area 20 has a side pattern, and the other display area 20 has no side pattern. In this case, in the side area of ​​the absorbent main body 5 that does not have a side pattern or in the portion of the exterior body 3 that overlaps with the side area, a range equal to the full width of the side pattern of the display area 20 that has a side pattern is set, and this range is defined as the display area 20 that does not have a side pattern. The explanation of the above-mentioned embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 7) is also applicable to such a configuration.

[0061] The diapers of each of the above-described embodiments are contained in a package and distributed as a package. A plurality of diapers are contained in this package. It is preferable that the package is provided with a method for identifying the left and right sides of the diapers using the display areas 20, 20. The method for identifying the left and right sides of the diapers is indicated, for example, by a sentence or illustration such as "When viewed from the back side, place the circular mark on the left side and the star mark on the right side," or a combination of these sentences and illustrations. Such an identification method is indicated on the outer surface of the package.

[0062] The diapers of each of the above-mentioned embodiments may be divided into a series of diapers divided into a plurality of size groups. In this case, the diaper series includes a plurality of types of diapers with different sizes, such as S size, M size, and L size. It is preferable that the diaper series includes a plurality of types of diapers with different sizes, each of which has a common shape or color of the side pattern in the display area 20. With this configuration, even if the size is changed, the identification method before the change can be applied, so that the operation when wearing the diapers can be easily performed.

[0063] While the present invention has been described above based on its preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the exterior body 3 may have a pair of display areas 20 having a side pattern in portions overlapping with the side regions of the absorbent main body 5, and the absorbent main body 5 may have a central pattern in a region overlapping with the region between the pair of display areas 20. Conversely, the absorbent main body 5 may have a pair of display areas 20 having a side pattern in the side regions, and the exterior body 3 may have a central pattern in a region overlapping with the region between the pair of display areas 20. Furthermore, the absorbent core does not have to have both side edges pinched inward in the transverse direction Y, and the both side edges may be parallel to the longitudinal direction X.

[0064] In addition, the diaper in the above-mentioned embodiment is a pants-type disposable diaper in which the outer body 3 is divided into a ventral sheet member 3A arranged on the ventral side of the wearer and a dorsal sheet member 3B arranged on the dorsal side, and the absorbent body is fixed by spanning between these sheet members 3A, 3B. However, instead, the outer body 3 may not be divided into a ventral portion A and a dorsal portion B, and the outer body 3 may be continuous over the entire length of the diaper 1 in the vertical direction X. The diaper may be a so-called flat-type disposable diaper having a fastening tape on the back portion B, which is attached by fastening the fastening tape to a landing tape provided on the outer surface of the abdominal portion A. In a flat-type disposable diaper, the portions on both side edges having concave cutouts formed to fit the shape of the legs are defined as the crotch portion C, and the portions in front of and behind this are the back portion B and the abdominal portion A. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1. Disposable diapers (diapers) 3 Exterior body 3A Ventral sheet material 3B Back side sheet member 31 Outer layer sheet 32 Inner sheet 34a waist elastic member 35 Stretch area 38 Non-stretchable area 5. Absorbent body 7 Waist opening 8 Leg Opening 11 Side seal part 4. Absorber 4a Core wrap sheet 12 Surface sheet 13 Leak-proof sheet 14c central absorbent core 14s Side Absorbent Core 15c Center bend guide section 15s Side folding guide 16 Leak proof cuff 16a Cuff elastic member 16b Cuff forming sheet 16c Outward extension 17 Leg elastic member 17a Leg stretch area 20 Display area 21,22 Side design 25 Central area 26,27 Central design A Ventral part B Dorsal part C Inseam X vertical direction Y Horizontal Z thickness direction

Claims

1. A disposable diaper comprising an absorbent main body including an absorber, and an outer body arranged on a non-skin-facing side of the absorbent main body, the disposable diaper having, in a worn state, a ventral side portion arranged on a ventral side of a wearer, a dorsal side portion arranged on a dorsal side of the wearer, and a crotch portion located between the ventral side portion and the dorsal side portion, and having a vertical direction extending from the ventral side portion through the crotch portion to the dorsal side portion, and a horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, the exterior body has, in at least one of the ventral side portion and the dorsal side portion, a pair of stretchable regions that stretch in the lateral direction, and a non-stretchable region that is located between the stretchable regions and has no stretchability, the stretchable region being present in the lateral direction from the side regions of the absorbent main body outward from the side edges of the absorbent main body, the absorbent main body or the outer casing has a pair of marking areas for distinguishing between left and right in the side regions or in portions overlapping the side regions, A pattern is continuously printed on one of the pair of display areas, or different patterns are continuously printed on each of the pair of display areas, The patterns are arranged intermittently or continuously along the vertical direction, The disposable diaper has the pattern and the stretchable region overlapping at least one of the ventral portion and the back portion, and the visibility of the pattern changes as the stretchable region stretches.

2. 2. The disposable diaper according to claim 1, wherein the elastic region has elastic members extending in the lateral direction, and the elastic members have an elongation ratio in the lateral direction of 1.5 times or more.

3. 3. The disposable diaper according to claim 1, wherein a total length of the pair of elasticized regions in the lateral direction is 50% or more of a length of the ventral portion or the dorsal portion in the lateral direction.

4. The disposable diaper according to claim 3 , wherein the total length of the pair of elasticized regions in the lateral direction is 85% or less of the length of the ventral portion or the dorsal portion in the lateral direction.

5. The disposable diaper according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pattern overlaps the elastic region over its entire width.

6. The absorbent body has a pair of leakage-proof cuffs extending in the longitudinal direction and standing up at least in the crotch area on both sides in the lateral direction on the skin-facing side, The absorbent body or the outer body has leg edges that form leg gathers on the outer side in the lateral direction of the absorbent body, The disposable diaper according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, in the unfolded and stretched state, the leakage-preventing cuffs or the leg edges at least partially overlap the pattern in a plan view.

7. The disposable diaper according to claim 6, wherein the length of the pattern in the lateral direction is shorter than the length of the leakage-preventing cuffs in the lateral direction.

8. the leg edges include leg elastic members that form the leg gathers; The disposable diaper according to claim 6, wherein the length of the marking region in the lateral direction is shorter than the length of the region in which the leg elastic members are arranged in the lateral direction.

9. The absorbent body includes an absorbent core, and the absorbent core has a pair of folding guide portions spaced apart in the laterally direction and extending in the longitudinal direction, The disposable diaper according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pattern is positioned outward in the lateral direction from the folding guide portion.

10. The absorbent body includes an absorbent core, and the absorbent core has constricted portions on both side edges along the longitudinal direction in a plan view, the constricted portions being constricted inward in the transverse direction, The disposable diaper according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pattern is located outward in the lateral direction from the waisted portion.

11. The disposable diaper according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pair of display areas each have the pattern different from the other in either shape or color or both.

12. The absorbent body has a central region between the pair of display regions, and the central region has a pattern visible from the non-skin-facing side of the disposable diaper, The disposable diaper according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the design in the display area and the design in the central area are different from each other in either one or both of shape and color.

13. 3. The disposable diaper according to claim 1, wherein the patterns are arranged intermittently along the longitudinal direction, and the distance between the patterns in the longitudinal direction is 25% or less of the total length of the absorbent main body in the longitudinal direction.

14. The disposable diaper according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a total length of the pair of marking regions in the lateral direction is 40% or less of a length of the absorbent main body in the lateral direction.

15. A package of disposable diapers in which a plurality of disposable diapers are housed in a package, The disposable diaper is the disposable diaper according to claim 1 or 2, The package has a display on it that indicates how to distinguish between left and right disposable diapers using the display area.

16. A series of disposable diapers comprising a plurality of types of disposable diapers according to claim 1 or 2 in different sizes, the plurality of types of disposable diapers having a common shape or color of the pattern.

Images