Pants-type absorbent article

Abstract

To provide a pants-type absorbent article capable of effectively suppressing urine leakage in the ventral part of the pants-type absorbent article.SOLUTION: In an absorbent article 1, an exterior body 3 has an abdominal-side leg elastic member 37a, and the elastic member 37a has a crotch stretchable region CR extending in a traverse direction Y and a front-side intermediate region R. An absorber 4 has an absorber elastic member 48, and an absorbent core 40 has a pair of low rigidity parts 42,42 in the front-side intermediate region R. In the front-side intermediate region R, a low rigidity part 42 overlaps at least parts of a second region R2, a third region R3, and a fourth region R4 in a plan view, and shrinkage stress of the regions R1, R2, R3, R4 in the front-side intermediate region R and the crotch stretchable region CR in the traverse direction Y fulfills a magnitude relationship in (1), (2), and (3) below: (1) First region R1>Second region R2>Third region R3, (2) First region R1>Second region R2>Fourth region R4, (3) Crotch stretchable region CR>Fourth region R4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pant-type absorbent article. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are known absorbent articles such as disposable diapers that have three-dimensional gathers or waist gathers formed thereon for the purpose of effectively preventing leakage of excrement such as urine, feces, etc. In these absorbent articles, the three-dimensional gathers prevent leakage of excrement in the lateral direction of the absorbent article, and the waist gathers improve the fit around the waist of the wearer, thereby preventing leakage around the waist.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes an absorbent article in which a waist elastic member is provided at the longitudinal end that forms a waist opening, and which comprises a three-dimensional gather forming section having an elastic member for forming a three-dimensional gather and a three-dimensional gather sheet, in which a fixing portion is formed at the longitudinal end of the standing portion of the three-dimensional gather forming section, and the longitudinal inner end of the fixing portion is located in a portion where neither the waist elastic member nor the absorbent core is present.

[0004] Patent document 2 also describes an absorbent article having waist gathers in a position that does not overlap with the absorbent body, a recessed leak-proof area between the absorbent body and the waist gathers in the back body, and the waist gathers are located on the widthwise inner side of the extension line of the three-dimensional gathers extending in the longitudinal direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-10442 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2019-97871 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In recent years, absorbents have become thinner from the viewpoint of suppressing bulkiness of absorbent articles, and from the viewpoint of facilitating movement of the wearer's body even when the absorbent article is worn, etc. However, in thinner absorbents, the speed at which urine is absorbed tends not to keep up with the amount of urination, and there is a risk of urine leaking out of the absorbent article. In the absorbent articles of Patent Documents 1 and 2, no particular consideration has been given to the problem of effectively suppressing urine leakage, particularly in the abdominal portion that is placed on the abdominal side of the wearer.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention relates to an absorbent article that can effectively suppress urine leakage from the abdominal side of the absorbent article. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention relates to a pants-type absorbent article having a ventral portion arranged on the ventral side of a wearer, a dorsal portion arranged on the dorsal side of the wearer, and a crotch portion located between the ventral portion and the dorsal portion, and having a vertical direction corresponding to a direction extending from the ventral portion through the crotch portion to the dorsal portion and a horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, the article comprising an absorbent body having an absorbent core, and an outer body arranged on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body, and having a waist opening and a pair of leg openings. In one embodiment, the exterior body preferably has abdominal leg elastic members arranged in a stretched state from the abdominal portion to the crotch portion along the opening edges of the leg openings. In one embodiment, it is preferable that the outer body has a crotch stretch region in which the end portion of the crotch portion side of the abdominal leg elastic member extends in the horizontal direction, and a front intermediate region between the front end of the abdominal portion side of the absorbent core in the vertical direction and the crotch stretch region. In one embodiment, the absorbent body preferably has absorbent body elastic members arranged on sides along the longitudinal direction and extending in the longitudinal direction. In one embodiment, the absorbent core preferably has a pair of low stiffness portions extending in the longitudinal direction in the front intermediate region. In one embodiment, when the front intermediate region is divided into four equal parts in the vertical direction, namely a first region, a second region, a third region and a fourth region from the side closest to the waist opening, it is preferable that the low stiffness portion overlaps at least a portion of the second region, the third region and the fourth region in a planar view. In one embodiment, it is preferable that the lateral contraction stresses of the first region, the second region, the third region and the fourth region satisfy the magnitude relationships of (1), (2) and (3) below. (1) 1st area > 2nd area > 3rd area (2) 1st area > 2nd area > 4th area (3) Inseam stretch area > 4th area Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the absorbent article of the present invention, urine leakage from the ventral side portion of the absorbent article can be effectively suppressed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a disposable diaper, which is one embodiment of an absorbent article of the present invention, in an unfolded and extended state. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. [Diagram 3] 3 is an enlarged plan view showing the front intermediate region and the crotch stretch region shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a view showing a disposable diaper being worn to illustrate the effects of the present invention, and is a cross-sectional view taken along the longitudinal direction of the front body of the diaper. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a lateral cross-sectional view of the front intermediate region shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a view corresponding to FIG. 3, showing another embodiment of the absorbent body according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] The present invention will be described below based on preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. Figs. 1 to 6 show a pants-type disposable diaper 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as "diaper 1"), which is one embodiment of the pants-type absorbent article of the present invention. The diaper 1 has a ventral side portion A arranged on the ventral side of a wearer when worn, a dorsal side portion B arranged on the dorsal side of the wearer, and a crotch portion C located between the ventral side portion A and the dorsal side portion B. The diaper 1 has a longitudinal direction X corresponding to the direction corresponding to the front-rear direction of the wearer, i.e., the direction extending from the ventral side portion A through the crotch portion C to the dorsal side portion B, and a transverse direction Y perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X. The longitudinal direction X coincides with the longitudinal direction of an absorbent body 10 described later. The diaper 1 comprises an absorbent body 10 having an absorbent substructure 4, and an exterior body 3 arranged on the non-skin facing side of the absorbent body 10. The exterior body 3 forms the non-skin facing side of the diaper 1, i.e., the outer surface of the diaper 1.

[0012] In this specification, the "skin-facing side" refers to the side of the disposable diaper or its constituent members (e.g., the topsheet 12) that faces the wearer's skin when the disposable diaper 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 disposable diaper or its constituent members that faces the side opposite the skin side when the disposable diaper is worn, i.e., the side relatively farther from the wearer's skin. Note that "when worn" or "worn state" refers to the normal, proper wearing position, i.e., the state in which the disposable diaper is maintained in the correct wearing position.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the diaper 1 is formed symmetrically with respect to a longitudinal centerline CLy which extends in a longitudinal direction X and divides the diaper 1 into two equal parts in a transverse direction Y when in a developed and stretched state. 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.

[0014] 2, the absorbent body 10 comprises a liquid-permeable top sheet 12, a leak-proof sheet 13, a liquid-retentive absorbent body 4 interposed between these sheets 12, 13, and a pair of leak-proof cuffs 6, 6. In the absorbent body 10, the top sheet 12, the absorbent body 4, the pair of leak-proof cuffs 6, 6, and the leak-proof sheet 13 are integrated together by a known joining means such as an adhesive. The absorbent body 10 has a rectangular shape that is long in the vertical direction X in a plan view, and extends in the vertical direction X from a ventral side part A to a dorsal side part B.

[0015] 1, the absorbent body 4 has a rectangular shape in plan view and is continuous in the longitudinal direction X from the ventral portion A to the dorsal portion B. The longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 4 coincides with the longitudinal direction X of the diaper 1. The absorbent body 4 is disposed in the center of the lateral direction Y of the exterior body 3 described below in plan view, and is joined to the leakproof sheet 13 with an adhesive.

[0016] The absorbent body 4 includes a liquid-retentive absorbent core 40 and a core wrap sheet 49 that covers the outer surface of the absorbent core 40 (see Figs. 1 and 2). The absorbent core 40 is formed of a stack of fibers, which will be described later. 1 and 2, the absorbent core 40 has a pair of low-stiffness portions 42, 42 spaced apart in the horizontal direction Y and extending in the vertical direction X. In this embodiment, the low-stiffness portions 42, 42 are through-holes extending in the vertical direction X and penetrating the absorbent core 40 (see FIG. 2). Alternatively, the low-stiffness portions 42, 42 may be recesses (grooves) formed on the skin-facing or non-skin-facing surface of the absorbent core 40. In this embodiment, the pair of low stiffness portions 42, 42 are disposed in the front body of the diaper 1. The front body is a region on the ventral portion A side when the entire length of the diaper 1 in the longitudinal direction X is divided into two equal regions. Alternatively, the pair of low stiffness portions 42, 42 may extend to the rear portion B in the longitudinal direction X.

[0017] The absorbent core 40 of this embodiment has a central absorbent core 40c located between a pair of low stiffness portions 42, 42, and side absorbent cores 40s, 40s located outward in the lateral direction Y of the low stiffness portions 42. That is, the absorbent core 40 has the central absorbent core 40c and side absorbent cores 40s, 40s arranged on both sides of the central absorbent core 40c in the lateral direction Y, and low stiffness portions 42 are formed between the central absorbent core 40c and the side absorbent cores 40s. The absorbent core 40 of this embodiment can be deformed such that the pair of side absorbent cores 40s, 40s rise toward the wearer's skin, starting from the low stiffness portions 42, 42 (see Figs. 2 and 5). That is, the pair of side absorbent cores 40s, 40s rise from the central absorbent core 40c, starting from the low stiffness portions 42.

[0018] The absorbent body 4 has an absorbent body elastic member 48 extending in the longitudinal direction X on a side portion along the longitudinal direction X. The side portion of the absorbent body 4 is a region on both sides when the entire width (length in the lateral direction Y) of the absorbent body 4 including the core wrap sheet 49 is divided into three equal regions. The absorbent body elastic member 48 of this embodiment is disposed adjacent to the side edge of the absorbent body 4 in the lateral direction Y and in a stretched state in the longitudinal direction X. In this manner, the absorbent body elastic member 48 may be disposed near the side portion of the absorbent body 4, and in this case, it is preferably disposed in a region within 5 mm outward in the lateral direction Y from the side edge of the absorbent body 4. The absorbent body elastic members 48 contract in the longitudinal direction X, thereby assisting the deformation of the side absorbent cores 40s starting from the low stiffness portions 42. In other words, the side absorbent cores 40s become more likely to deform so as to be lifted toward the wearer's skin.

[0019] The absorbent body elastic member 48 is disposed on the non-skin facing side of the topsheet 12 and on the skin facing side of the leak-proof sheet 13. In this embodiment, the absorbent body elastic member 48 is disposed between the topsheet 12 and the core wrap sheet 49, but instead, it may be disposed between the core wrap sheet 49 and the absorbent core 40. In addition, the absorbent body elastic member 48 may be located on the skin-facing side of the absorbent body 4, or on the non-skin-facing side.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the absorbent body 10 has a pair of leakage-preventing cuffs 6, 6 on both sides along the longitudinal direction X of the skin-facing surface. That is, the pair of leakage-preventing cuffs 6, 6 are arranged on both sides of the absorbent body 10 in the transverse direction Y and extend along the longitudinal direction X. As shown in FIG. 2, the leakage-preventing cuff 6 of this embodiment is formed by folding a liquid-resistant or water-repellent and breathable cuff-forming sheet 60 in half along the longitudinal direction X and joining the two opposing cuff-forming sheets 60, 60 together. The leakage-preventing cuff 6 of this embodiment has a cuff elastic member 61 between the two opposing cuff-forming sheets 60, 60. The cuff elastic member 61 is arranged at the inner end of the leakage-preventing cuff 6 in the transverse direction Y (see FIGS. 1 and 2). More specifically, the cuff elastic member 61 is arranged near the crease where the cuff-forming sheet 60 is folded in half. The cuff elastic members 61 are arranged in a stretched state in the longitudinal direction X. Each leakage preventing cuff 6 has a base end fixed between the absorber 4 and the leakage preventing sheet 13 at least in the crotch region C, and a free end to which the cuff elastic members 61 are fixed. The leakage preventing cuff 6 is configured so that the free end stands up at least in the crotch region C as the cuff elastic members 61, arranged in a stretched state in the longitudinal direction X, contract along the free end (see FIG. 2).

[0021] The leakage preventing cuffs 6 of this embodiment have intermediate elastic members 65 that are sandwiched between the cuff-forming sheets 60, 60 and fixed in a stretched state between the free end and the base end in the thickness direction Z of the diaper 1 (see FIG. 2). The intermediate elastic members 65 contribute to the standing ability of the leakage preventing cuffs 6.

[0022] The exterior body 3 of this embodiment comprises an outer layer sheet 31 forming the outer surface, i.e., the non-skin facing surface, of the diaper 1, and an inner layer sheet 32 ​​located on the skin facing side of the outer layer sheet 31 (see Figs. 1 and 2). In the exterior body 3, the leakproof sheet 13 and the inner layer sheet 32, as well as the inner layer sheet 32 ​​and the outer layer sheet 31, which are adjacent in the thickness direction Z of the diaper 1, are bonded together with an adhesive. In the exterior body 3, both side edges along the longitudinal direction X of the exterior body 3 in the ventral portion A and the rear 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. This forms a waist opening through which the wearer's torso passes, and a pair of leg openings through which the wearer's lower legs pass (not shown). In other words, the crotch portion C is the region between the side seal portions 11 in the longitudinal direction X of the diaper 1. The exterior body 3 has leg opening edge portions LS that are arranged around the legs of a wearer when the garment is worn. The periphery of the leg opening edge portions LS forms leg openings. The leg opening edge portions LS are formed outward in the lateral direction Y of the absorbent body 4.

[0023] The exterior body 3 forms the outer shape of the diaper 1 in an unfolded and stretched state as shown in Fig. 1, and the peripheral edge of the exterior body 3 forms the contour line of the diaper 1 in an unfolded and stretched state, i.e., the contour lines of the abdominal portion A, the crotch portion C, and the back portion B. As shown in Fig. 1, in the crotch portion C of the exterior body 3, both side edges along the longitudinal direction X of the exterior body 3 are curved in a convex arc shape toward the center in the lateral direction Y, and the central region in the longitudinal direction X is narrowed toward the inside in the lateral direction Y. The exterior body 3 and the absorbent body 10 are joined by a known joining means such as an adhesive. In addition, at least one of the outer sheet 31 and the inner sheet 32 ​​in the exterior body 3 may be folded back toward the skin-facing surface along the peripheral edge WE of the waist opening (hereinafter also referred to as "waist opening edge WE").

[0024] In the exterior body 3, the outer layer sheet 31 forms the outer surface, i.e., the non-skin facing surface, of the diaper 1, and the inner layer sheet 32 ​​is disposed on the skin facing surface side of the outer layer sheet 31. The exterior body 3 has a plurality of thread-like or band-like elastic members 35, 36, 37a, 37b, 38 disposed between the inner layer sheet 32 ​​and the outer layer sheet 31. The exterior body 3 of this embodiment includes a waist elastic member 35 and a waist circumference elastic member 36 disposed along the lateral direction Y in the ventral side portion A and the back side portion B, and leg elastic members 37a, 37b disposed along the leg opening edge portion LS forming the leg opening (see FIG. 1). The exterior body 3 of this embodiment also includes a crotch elastic member 38 disposed along the lateral direction Y in the crotch portion C.

[0025] In the abdominal portion A and the back portion B, a plurality of waist elastic members 35 and waist circumference elastic members 36 are intermittently arranged at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction X in a stretched state in the horizontal direction Y. The waist elastic members 35 are arranged outward in the vertical direction X of the absorbent body 4 in the abdominal portion A and the back portion B, forming a waist stretchable region 3W that is stretchable in the horizontal direction Y (see Figs. 1 and 3). In the waist stretchable region 3W, the waist elastic members 35 are arranged in a stretched state between the side seal portions 11, 11 in the horizontal direction Y, and exhibit elastic stretchability. Thus, by providing the waist stretchable region 3W at the opening edge of the waist opening, a substantially continuous annular waist gather (pleats) is formed around the entire circumference of the waist opening. The waist elastic member 35 is continuous over the entire width of the abdominal portion A or the back portion B (overall length in the lateral direction Y). For ease of explanation, the core wrap sheet 49 is omitted in FIG.

[0026] The waist elastic member 36 overlaps the absorbent body 4 in the vertical direction X at the ventral side portion A and the back side portion B, and is arranged on the horizontal outer side of the absorbent body 4 to form a waist elastic region 3T that is stretchable in the horizontal direction Y (see FIG. 1). The waist elastic region 3T is located on the vertical inner side of the waist elastic region 3W. The waist elastic member 36 is arranged in a stretched state between the side seal portion 11 and the absorbent body 4 in the horizontal direction Y, and exhibits elastic stretchability. The waist elastic member 36 exhibits elastic stretchability on the outer side of the absorbent body 4 in the horizontal direction Y, while the region overlapping the absorbent body 4 in a plan view is arranged so as not to exhibit elastic stretchability by processing such as finely dividing it. In other words, the waist elastic member 64 does not exhibit elastic stretchability in the horizontal center where it overlaps the absorbent body 4. As a result, a pair of waist elastic regions 3T is formed on each side of the absorbent body 4.

[0027] At the leg opening edge LS, one or more thread-like or band-like leg elastic members 37a, 37b for forming leg gathers are arranged in a stretchable state. In the front body of this embodiment, the ventral leg elastic member 37a is arranged in a stretched state from the end of the side seal portion 11 on the crotch portion C side at the ventral portion A to the vertical center of the crotch portion C along the leg opening edge LS. In the rear body of this embodiment, the rear leg elastic member 37b is arranged in a stretched state from the end of the side seal portion 11 on the crotch portion C side at the back portion B along the leg opening edge LS to the vertical center of the crotch portion C. The rear body is the region on the back portion B side when the entire length of the diaper 1 in the vertical direction X is divided into two equal regions. The abdominal leg elastic member 37a and the dorsal leg elastic member 37b are arranged in a stretched state, so that a substantially continuous annular leg gather is formed around the entire periphery of the opening edge of the leg opening (leg opening edge LS). These leg elastic members 37a, 37b are also sandwiched and fixed between the outer layer sheet 31 and the inner layer sheet 32 ​​that constitute the exterior body 3 by a joining means such as an adhesive.

[0028] In the outer casing 3 of this embodiment, the end of the abdominal leg elastic member 37a on the crotch portion C side extends in the lateral direction Y (see FIG. 3). That is, the abdominal leg elastic member 37a has an edge portion e1 along the leg opening edge LS and a central portion e2 that is continuous with the edge portion e1 and extends toward the center in the lateral direction Y. The edge portion e1 is a portion that curves along the leg opening edge LS, and the central portion e2 is a portion that extends along the lateral direction Y (see FIG. 3). In this embodiment, the central portion e2 overlaps with the absorbent body 4 in a plan view.

[0029] The exterior body 3 of this embodiment has crotch elastic members 38 arranged in a stretched state in the lateral direction Y in the crotch portion C (see FIG. 1). In this embodiment, the crotch elastic members 38 are arranged so as not to exhibit elastic stretchability in the region overlapping with the absorbent body 4 in the lateral direction Y by processing such as finely dividing the crotch elastic members 38. Such crotch elastic members 38 exhibit elastic stretchability outward in the lateral direction Y from the absorbent body 4. This allows the exterior body 3 to contract in the lateral direction Y in the crotch portion C, ensuring a good fit to the wearer's skin. In addition, a plurality of crotch elastic members 38 are intermittently arranged in the longitudinal direction X on the exterior body 3.

[0030] The exterior body 3 has a crotch stretchable region CR in which the end of the crotch portion C side of the abdominal leg elastic member 37a extends in the horizontal direction Y, and a front intermediate region R adjacent to the crotch stretchable region CR in the vertical direction X and located on the abdominal side A side of the crotch stretchable region CR. The crotch stretchable region CR is the region where the central portion e2 of the ventral leg elastic member 37a is located, and is stretchable in the horizontal direction Y. The crotch stretchable region CR is the region between the central portion e2 located closest to the ventral portion A in the vertical direction X and the central portion e2 located closest to the dorsal portion B in the vertical direction X (see FIG. 3).

[0031] The front intermediate region R is a region between the front end (hereinafter simply referred to as the "front end") of the absorbent core 40 on the abdominal portion A side in the longitudinal direction X and the crotch stretch region CR. The front end of the absorbent core 40 is the end of the absorbent core 40 on the abdominal portion A side in the longitudinal direction X (see FIG. 3). The front intermediate region R is continuous in the longitudinal direction X so as to straddle the abdominal portion A and the crotch portion C in the front body. The front intermediate region R overlaps with a pair of low stiffness portions 42, 42 of the absorbent core 40 in the front body. In other words, the absorbent core 40 has a pair of low stiffness portions 42, 42 in the front intermediate region R.

[0032] The front intermediate region R is divided vertically into four equal parts, and these four regions are designated as a first region R1, a second region R2, a third region R3, and a fourth region R4, in that order from the side closest to the waist opening (waist opening end WE) (see FIG. 3). The low-rigidity portion 42 of the present embodiment extends in the longitudinal direction X in the front intermediate region R, and overlaps with the first region R1, the second region R2, the third region R3, and the fourth region R4 in a plan view (see FIG. 3). The low-rigidity portion 42 extends in the longitudinal direction X from the center of the first region R1 toward the crotch portion C so as to be continuous with the entire length of the second region R2, the third region R3, and the fourth region R4 in the longitudinal direction X. Instead of such a form, the low-rigidity portion 42 may overlap at least a part of the second region R2, the third region R3, and the fourth region R4 in a plan view. For example, the low-rigidity portion 42 may overlap only the third region R3 and the fourth region R4, and in this case, may overlap partially with the third region R3 and the fourth region R4. The low-rigidity portion 42 may not overlap with the first region R1.

[0033] The first region R1 of this embodiment is located inward in the vertical direction X from the waist stretchable region 3W in the abdominal portion A, and includes a part of the waistline stretchable region 3T. The first region R1 includes a plurality of waistline elastic members . The second region R2 of this embodiment is located inward in the longitudinal direction X from the first region R1, and includes an inner end in the longitudinal direction X of the waistline elastic region 3T in the abdominal portion A and an outer end in the longitudinal direction X of the crotch portion C in the front body. This second region R2 includes a plurality of waistline elastic members 36 and crotch elastic members 38. The third region R3 in this embodiment includes a central portion of the crotch portion C in the longitudinal direction X of the front body. The third region R3 includes a plurality of crotch elastic members . The fourth region R4 of this embodiment includes a portion of the crotch portion C of the front body on the inner side in the longitudinal direction X. This fourth region R4 does not include an elastic member that exhibits elastic stretchability in the lateral direction Y.

[0034] As described above, in the front intermediate region R of this embodiment, the first region R1, the second region R2, and the third region R3 each include the elastic members 36, 38 that exhibit elastic stretchability in the lateral direction Y, and the fourth region R4 does not include an elastic member that exhibits elastic stretchability in the lateral direction Y. Alternatively, the first region R1, the second region R2, the third region R3, and the fourth region R4 may each include the elastic members 36, 38 that exhibit elastic stretchability in the lateral direction Y. Also, the first region R1 and the second region R2 may each include the elastic members 36, 38 that exhibit elastic stretchability in the lateral direction Y, and the third region R3 and the fourth region R4 may not each include an elastic member that exhibits elastic stretchability in the lateral direction Y.

[0035] In the exterior body 3 of this embodiment, in the front intermediate region R, elastic members arranged in a stretched state in the horizontal direction Y are intermittently arranged along the vertical direction X. More specifically, a plurality of waist elastic members 36 are arranged intermittently along the vertical direction X in the first region R1, a plurality of waist elastic members 36 and crotch elastic members 38 are arranged in the second region R2, and a plurality of crotch elastic members 38 are arranged in the third region R3.

[0036] The front intermediate region R has a precut region P in the center in the lateral direction Y where the elastic stretchability of the elastic members is not expressed (see FIG. 3). More specifically, the first region R1 has a precut region P between a pair of waist elastic regions 3T in the lateral direction Y where the elastic stretchability of the waist elastic members 36 is not expressed. The second region R2 has precut regions P between the waist elastic members 36 located on both sides in the lateral direction of the absorbent body 4 and between the crotch elastic members 38 located on both sides in the lateral direction of the absorbent body 4 where the elastic stretchability of these elastic members 36, 38 is not expressed. The third region R3 has a precut region P between the crotch elastic members 38 located on both sides in the lateral direction of the absorbent body 4 where the elastic stretchability of these crotch elastic members 38 is not expressed. In the front intermediate region R of this embodiment, a precut region P is continuous in the longitudinal direction X from the first region R1 to the third region R3.

[0037] In the exterior body 3, the contractile stresses in the lateral direction Y of the regions R1, R2, R3, R4 in the front intermediate region R and the crotch stretch region CR satisfy the magnitude relationships (1), (2), and (3) below. (1) 1st area R1 > 2nd area R2 > 3rd area R3 (2) 1st area R1 > 2nd area R2 > 4th area R4 (3) Inseam stretch area CR > 4th area R4 The contractile stress in the lateral direction Y of each of the regions R1, R2, R3, R4 and the crotch stretch region CR can be measured by the following method.

[0038] <Method for measuring the shrinkage stress in the transverse direction Y of each region> After the absorbent article is unfolded and stretched, for each of the first region R1, the second region R2, the third region R3, and the fourth region R4 obtained by dividing the front stretch region R into four in the vertical direction X, marks are made with an oil-based pen or the like at two locations on both side edges of the region in the vertical direction X where the length in the horizontal direction Y of the region is the shortest in the vertical direction X. When the lengths in the horizontal direction Y of the regions are different in the vertical direction X, as in the second region R2, the third region R3, and the fourth region R4 of this embodiment, two linear marks are made at both ends in the horizontal direction Y of the crotch side edge where the length in the horizontal direction Y of the region is the shortest, passing through the two ends and extending in the vertical direction X. Next, the length in the horizontal direction Y between the two marks (hereinafter referred to as the "length K at 100% stretch") is measured. 100 ") is measured. Next, the first region R1, the second region R2, the third region R3, and the fourth region R4 are cut out together with the absorbent body 10 from the absorbent article in the unfolded and stretched state, and these are used as samples. At this time, each region is cut out along the two marks and the boundaries of each region along the lateral direction Y. In other words, the portions of the absorbent article that extend outward in the lateral direction Y beyond the marks are excluded from the sample. Next, the horizontal direction Y is aligned with the tensile direction, and both ends of the sample in the horizontal direction Y are fixed in a non-stretched and non-slack state to the chucks of a tensile tester ("RTA-100" by Orientec Co., Ltd.) The chucks are attached at positions 10 mm inward from both ends of the sample in the horizontal direction Y. Next, the sample was pulled by expanding the gap between the chucks at a tensile speed of 300 mm / min, and the total length of the sample (total length in the horizontal direction Y) was the length K at 90% elongation. 90 The tensile stress (N) is measured when the specimen is stretched to 90% elongation. 90 is the length at 100% elongation K 100 That is, the total length of the chuck interval and the length from the chuck attachment position at both ends of the sample to the end of the sample in the lateral direction Y (10 mm × 2) is the length K at 90% elongation. 90 The tensile stress (N) at the point where this occurs is measured. The value obtained by dividing the tensile stress (N) by the width of the sample (length in the longitudinal direction X) is defined as the shrinkage stress (N / m).

[0039] In the exterior body 3 of this embodiment shown in Fig. 4, the contraction stress of the first region R1 (black arrow), the contraction stress of the second region R2 (arrow hatched with dots), and the contraction stress of the third region R3 (white arrow) are larger in this order. In the exterior body 3, due to the magnitude relationship between (1) and (2) above, the first region R1 has a higher contraction stress in the lateral direction Y than the second region R2, and the third region R3 and the fourth region R4 have a lower contraction stress in the lateral direction Y than the first region R1 and the second region R2, respectively. As a result, when worn, the first region R1 fits the wearer's body J better than the second region R2, while in the third region R3 and the fourth region R4, gaps (spaces S) are likely to occur between the skin-facing surface of the diaper 1 and the wearer's skin (body J) (see Fig. 4). In addition, because the contractile stress in the crotch stretchable region CR is higher in the lateral direction Y than that in the fourth region R4 due to the magnitude relationship described above in (3), the crotch stretchable region CR fits the wearer's body J better than the fourth region R4 when worn (see FIG. 4). That is, the diaper 1 of this embodiment brings the skin-facing surface of the diaper 1 into close contact with the wearer's skin in the regions R1, R2, and CR that sandwich the third region R3 and the fourth region R4 in the longitudinal direction X, while easily creating a space S between the skin and the third region R3 and the fourth region R4. This makes it easy for the cross section of the front body of the diaper 1 along the longitudinal direction X to be J-shaped (see FIG. 4). In the second region R2, which has a lower contraction stress than the first region R1, and in the third region R3 and fourth region R4, where the space S is formed, the absorbent 4 is deformed in a concave shape so that the side absorbent cores 40s, 40s stand from the central absorbent core 40c starting from the low stiffness portion 42, 42 at the portion overlapping the pair of low stiffness portions 42 (see FIG. 5). That is, the portions overlapping the low stiffness portions 42 in the second region R2, the third region R3, and the fourth region R4 can temporarily store urine U in the concave shape, and can temporarily hold a large amount of urine U. This effectively prevents urine U from leaking out of the diaper 1 even if the absorbent 4 is thin. Such an effect is also referred to as a "leakage prevention effect" below. For ease of explanation, the crotch elastic members 38 and the abdominal leg elastic members 37a in the third region R3 are omitted in FIG.

[0040] From the viewpoint of further improving the leakage prevention effect, it is preferable that the contraction stress in the lateral direction Y of the first region R1 and the second region R2 in the front intermediate region R (hereinafter simply referred to as "contraction stress") is within the following range. This makes it easier to generate the space S and further suppresses leakage of urine U from the waist opening. The shrinkage stress of the first region R1 is preferably 1.5 times or more, more preferably 2.5 times or more, and preferably 5.5 times or less, more preferably 4.5 times or less, and preferably 1.5 times or more and 5.5 times or less, more preferably 2.5 times or more and 4.5 times or less, of the shrinkage stress of the second region R2. The shrinkage stress of the first region R1 is preferably 65 N / m or more, more preferably 75 N / m or more, and preferably 105 N / m or less, more preferably 95 N / m or less, and preferably 65 N / m or more and 105 N / m or less, more preferably 75 N / m or more and 95 N / m or less. The shrinkage stress of the second region R2 is preferably 15 N / m or more, more preferably 20 N / m or more, and preferably 35 N / m or less, more preferably 30 N / m or less, and preferably 15 N / m or more and 35 N / m or less, more preferably 20 N / m or more and 30 N / m or less.

[0041] In order to more easily generate the space S, it is preferable that the shrinkage stress of each of the second region R2 and the third region R3 be within the following range. The shrinkage stress of the second region R2 is preferably 5 times or more, more preferably 10 times or more, and preferably 35 times or less, more preferably 40 times or less, and preferably 5 times or more and 40 times or less, more preferably 10 times or more and 35 times or less, of the shrinkage stress of the third region R3. The shrinkage stress of the third region R3 is preferably 1.0 N / m or more, more preferably 5.0 N / m or more, and preferably 20 N / m or less, more preferably 15 N / m or less, and preferably 1.0 N / m or more and 20 N / m or less, more preferably 5.0 N / m or more and 15 N / m or less.

[0042] The contraction stresses of the third region R3 and the fourth region R4 may be different or the same. From the viewpoint of further improving the leakage prevention effect, it is preferable that the third region R3 has a higher contraction stress in the lateral direction Y than the fourth region R4. That is, it is preferable that the contraction stress in the lateral direction Y of the front intermediate region R satisfies the following magnitude relationship (4). With such a configuration, the space S can be more easily generated. (4) 1st area > 2nd area > 3rd area > 4th area

[0043] In order to more easily generate the space S, it is preferable that the contraction stress of each of the third region R3 and the fourth region R4 is within the following range. The shrinkage stress of the third region R3 is preferably 1.0 to 1.5 times, more preferably 1.1 to 1.4 times, the shrinkage stress of the fourth region R4. When the fourth region R4 includes an elastic member exhibiting elastic stretchability in the lateral direction Y, the contraction stress of the fourth region R4 is preferably 1.0 N / m or more and 20 N / m or less, more preferably 5.0 N / m or more and 15 N / m or less.

[0044] In the diaper 1 of this embodiment, the shrinkage stress of the crotch stretchable region CR improves the fit of the end of the front body on the crotch C side. From the viewpoint of forming the space S while further suppressing leakage of urine U at the end of the front body on the crotch C side, it is preferable that the shrinkage stress of each of the fourth region R4 and the crotch stretchable region CR be within the following ranges. The shrinkage stress of the crotch stretch region CR is preferably 1.5 times or more, more preferably 2.0 times or more, and preferably 4.5 times or less, more preferably 4.0 times or less, and preferably 1.5 times or more and 4.5 times or less, more preferably 2.0 times or more and 4.0 times or less, of the shrinkage stress of the fourth region R4. The shrinkage stress of the crotch stretchable region CR is preferably 10 N / m or more and 40 N / m or less, and more preferably 15 N / m or more and 35 N / m or less.

[0045] In order to more easily satisfy the magnitude relationship between (1) and (2) above, it is preferable that the front intermediate region R has any one of the following configurations (i) to (iii), and it is more preferable that the front intermediate region R has two or more of these configurations (i) to (iii). Configuration (i): The distance between the elastic members in the longitudinal direction X gradually increases from the abdominal side portion A toward the crotch portion C. Configuration (ii): In the front middle region R, the contractile stress of the elastic member gradually decreases from the abdominal side portion A toward the crotch portion C. Configuration (iii): The length of the precut region P in the lateral direction Y gradually increases from the abdominal side A side toward the crotch portion C side.

[0046] In the above configuration (i), the "spacing between the elastic members in the vertical direction X" refers to the spacing between the elastic members that exhibit elastic stretchability in the horizontal direction Y, and is the distance between adjacent elastic members in the vertical direction X. In the front intermediate region R having the above configuration (i), it is preferable that the spacing between the elastic members satisfies the following magnitude relationship (ia). (ia) 1st area R1 < 2nd area R2 < 3rd area R3 < 4th area R4 When the fourth region R4 does not include an elastic member exhibiting elastic stretchability in the lateral direction Y, it is preferable that the interval between the elastic members satisfies the following magnitude relationship (ib). (ib) 1st area R1 < 2nd area R2 < 3rd area R3

[0047] An example of the configuration (i) is that the spacing D1 (see FIG. 3) between the waist elastic members 36 in the vertical direction X of the first region R1 is smaller than the spacing D2 (see FIG. 3) between the elastic members 36, 38 in the vertical direction X of the second region R2, and the spacing D2 (see FIG. 3) is smaller than the spacing D3 (see FIG. 3) between the crotch elastic members 38 in the vertical direction X of the third region R3. When the spacing between the elastic members in the longitudinal direction X differs in each of the regions R1, R2, R3, and R4 of the front intermediate region R, the smallest spacing in that region shall be defined as the "spacing between the elastic members in the longitudinal direction X."

[0048] In order to more easily satisfy the magnitude relationship between (1) and (2) by the configuration (i), it is preferable that the interval between the elastic members in the longitudinal direction X in the front middle region R is within the following range. A distance D1 (see FIG. 3) between the elastic members in the longitudinal direction X of the first region R1 is preferably 3 mm or more and 10 mm or less, and more preferably 4 mm or more and 7 mm or less. A distance D2 (see FIG. 3) between the elastic members in the longitudinal direction X in the second region R2 is preferably 10 mm or more and 20 mm or less, and more preferably 13 mm or more and 17 mm or less. A distance D3 (see FIG. 3) between the elastic members in the longitudinal direction X in the third region R3 is preferably 20 mm or more and 30 mm or less, and more preferably 23 mm or more and 27 mm or less. When the fourth region R4 includes an elastic member that exhibits elastic stretchability in the horizontal direction Y, the spacing (not shown) between the elastic members in the vertical direction X of the fourth region R4 is preferably 30 mm or more and 40 mm or less, more preferably 33 mm or more and 37 mm or less.

[0049] In the above-mentioned configuration (ii), the contractile stress of the elastic member is a contractile stress in the lateral direction Y. In the front intermediate region R having the above-mentioned configuration (ii), it is preferable that the contractile stress of the elastic member satisfies the following magnitude relationship (ii-a). (ii-a) 1st area R1 > 2nd area R2 > 3rd area R3 > 4th area R4 When the fourth region R4 does not include an elastic member exhibiting elastic stretchability in the lateral direction Y, it is preferable that the contractile stress of the elastic member satisfies the following magnitude relationship (ii-b). (ii-b) 1st area R1 > 2nd area R2 > 3rd area R3

[0050] One example of the above configuration (ii) is that the contraction stress of the waist elastic member 36 in the first region R1 is greater than the contraction stress of the elastic members 36, 38 in the second region R2, which in turn is greater than the contraction stress of the crotch elastic member 38 in the third region R3. The contractile stress in the lateral direction Y of the elastic members in each of the regions R1, R2, R3, and R4 of the front intermediate region R can be adjusted, for example, by the fineness or elongation rate of the elastic members.

[0051] In order to ensure that the above-mentioned feature (ii) is achieved, it is preferable that the fineness of the elastic member in the front middle region R is within the following range. The fineness of the elastic member in the first region R1 is preferably 730 dtex or more and 820 dtex or less, and more preferably 750 dtex or more and 800 dtex or less. The fineness of the elastic member in the second region R2 is preferably 580 dtex or more and 670 dtex or less, and more preferably 600 dtex or more and 650 dtex or less. The fineness of the elastic member in the third region R3 is preferably 280 dtex or more and 370 dtex or less, and more preferably 300 dtex or more and 350 dtex or less. When the fourth region R4 includes an elastic member exhibiting elastic stretchability in the transverse direction Y, the fineness of the elastic member in the fourth region R4 is preferably 280 dtex or more and 370 dtex or less, more preferably 300 dtex or more and 350 dtex or less. When the fineness of the elastic member differs in each of the regions R1, R2, R3, and R4 of the front intermediate region R, the maximum fineness in that region is defined as the "fineness of the elastic member" of that region. The fineness of the elastic member can be measured by the following method.

[0052] <Method of measuring the fineness of elastic material> The entire absorbent article is immersed in a sufficient amount of tetrahydrofuran (THF) solvent, the elastic member is peeled off from the absorbent article, and then dried in a room at 20°C and 50% humidity for one week to thoroughly dry the elastic member. The length L (mm) and weight W (g) of the elastic member in its natural state after drying are measured. The fineness (dtex) of the elastic member is calculated using the following formula. Elastic material fineness = 10000000 / (L×W)

[0053] In order to ensure that the above-mentioned feature (ii) is achieved, it is preferable that the elongation percentage of the elastic member in the front middle region R is within the following range. The elongation ratio of the elastic member in the first region R1 is preferably 3.0 times or more and 3.4 times or less, and more preferably 3.1 times or more and 3.3 times or less. The elongation ratio of the elastic member in the second region R2 is preferably 2.8 times or more and 3.2 times or less, and more preferably 2.9 times or more and 3.1 times or less. The elongation ratio of the elastic member in the third region R3 is preferably 2.4 times or more and 2.8 times or less, and more preferably 2.5 times or more and 2.7 times or less. When the fourth region R4 includes an elastic member exhibiting elastic stretchability in the lateral direction Y, the elongation ratio of the elastic member in the fourth region R4 is preferably 2.4 to 2.8 times, more preferably 2.5 to 2.7 times. When the elongation rate of the elastic member differs in each of the regions R1, R2, R3, and R4 of the front intermediate region R, the maximum elongation rate in that region is defined as the "elongation rate of the elastic member" of that region. The elongation of the elastic member can be measured by the following method.

[0054] <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.

[0055] In the above-mentioned configuration (iii), the length of the precut region P in the lateral direction Y is the distance between the elastic members arranged on both sides of the absorbent body 4 in the lateral direction Y. In the front intermediate region R having the above-mentioned configuration (iii), it is preferable that the length of the precut region P in the lateral direction Y satisfies the following magnitude relationship (iii-a). (iii-a) 1st area R1 < 2nd area R2 < 3rd area R3 < 4th area R4 When the fourth region R4 does not include an elastic member exhibiting elastic stretchability in the lateral direction Y, it is preferable that the length of the precut region P in the lateral direction Y satisfies the following magnitude relationship (iii-b). (iii-b) 1st area R1 < 2nd area R2 < 3rd area R3 The above-mentioned embodiment (iii) includes an embodiment in which the elastic member in the first region R1 is continuous in the horizontal direction Y, so that the first region R1 does not have a precut region P, while the other regions of the second region R2 and the third region R3 each have a precut region P. In such an embodiment, the length of the precut region P in the first region R1 in the horizontal direction Y is 0 mm.

[0056] If the length in the horizontal direction Y of the precut area P is different in each region R1, R2, R3, and R4 of the front intermediate region R, the shortest length in the horizontal direction Y in that region shall be regarded as the "length in the horizontal direction Y of the precut area P."

[0057] From the viewpoint of more easily satisfying the magnitude relationship between (1) and (2) by the configuration (iii), it is preferable that the length in the lateral direction Y of the precut region P in the front intermediate region R is within the following range. A length D6 (see FIG. 3) in the lateral direction Y of the precut region P in the first region R1 is preferably 0 mm or more and 60 mm or less, and more preferably 30 mm or more and 60 mm or less. The length D7 (see FIG. 3) of the precut region P in the second region R2 in the lateral direction Y is preferably 60 mm or more and 80 mm or less, and more preferably 70 mm or more and 80 mm or less. The length D8 (see FIG. 3) of the precut region P in the third region R3 in the lateral direction Y is preferably 80 mm or more and 90 mm or less, and more preferably 85 mm or more and 90 mm or less. When the fourth region R4 includes an elastic member that exhibits elastic stretchability in the horizontal direction Y, the length (not shown) of the precut area P in the fourth region R4 in the horizontal direction Y is preferably 90 mm or more and 100 mm or less, more preferably 95 mm or more and 100 mm or less.

[0058] In terms of leakage prevention, it is preferable to further improve the deformability of the absorbent 4 in the front body. From this viewpoint, it is preferable that the end of the low stiffness portion 42 on the crotch C side overlaps with the front end of the ventral portion A side of the crotch stretchable region CR in a plan view (see FIG. 3). This makes the end of the low stiffness portion 42 on the crotch C side a bending point f between the fourth region R4 and the crotch stretchable region CR, making it easier to create the space S (see FIG. 4). In this case, the end of the low stiffness portion 42 on the crotch portion C side and the front end of the crotch stretchable region CR on the abdominal portion A side overlap when the diaper 1 is in an unfolded and stretched state in a plan view.

[0059] From the viewpoint of deforming the absorbent body 4 into a more concave shape in a cross-sectional view along the lateral direction Y, it is preferable that the bending load of the side absorbent cores 40s in the front body is equal to or greater than the bending load of the central absorbent core 40c. This allows the side absorbent cores 40s to be deformed more stably so as to stand up from the central absorbent core 40c. In other words, the space within the recess of the absorbent body 4 that has been deformed into a concave shape can be more stably maintained even when the absorbent body 4 is worn. From the same viewpoint as above, it is preferable that the bending load of each of the side absorbent cores 40s and the central absorbent core 40c in the front body is within the following range: The bending load of the side absorbent core 40s is preferably 100% or more and 250% or less, more preferably 150% or more and 230% or less, of the bending load of the central absorbent core 40c. The bending load of the side absorbent core 40s is preferably 10 g / 30 mm or more and 40 g / 30 mm or less, and more preferably 15 g / 30 mm or more and 35 g / 30 mm or less. The bending load of the central absorbent core 40c is preferably 5 g / 30 mm or more and 25 g / 30 mm or less, more preferably 10 g / 30 mm or more and 20 g / 30 mm or less. The bending load of the central absorbent core 40c is the bending load of the portion overlapping with the front intermediate region R. The bending load can be measured by the following method.

[0060] <Method of measuring bending load> The bending load of the absorbent core is measured by measuring a three-point bending load. First, the absorbent body 4 is removed from the diaper 1, and a measurement sample having a side length of 30 mm is cut out from the absorbent body. If the absorbent body 4 includes a core wrap sheet 49, the measurement sample is cut out together with the core wrap sheet 49. The measurement sample is cut out from the entire thickness of the absorbent body 4. Next, the measurement sample is placed between a pair of plate-shaped supports. The supports are spaced apart by 10 mm, and the placement direction is along the horizontal direction Y. A plate-shaped indenter is pressed into the measurement sample from above the measurement sample placed between the supports. The plate-shaped indenter has a width of 2 mm, and its length in the pressing direction is longer than the length of the measurement sample (30 mm). The position at which the plate-shaped indenter is pressed in is the middle position between the pair of supports in a plan view. The plate-shaped indenter is pressed 8 mm into the supports, and the maximum value of the load generated during the pressing is taken as the bending load (g / 30 mm). A handle-ometer is used to measure the bending load. It can be determined that the smaller the bending load value, the higher the flexibility, i.e., the lower the bending rigidity.

[0061] The bending load of the absorbent core 40 can be adjusted by the basis weight of the absorbent core 40 . In order to ensure that the bending load of the side absorbent cores 40s in the front body is equal to or greater than the bending load of the central absorbent core 40c, it is preferable that the basis weights of the side absorbent cores 40s and the central absorbent core 40c in the front body are within the following ranges. The basis weight of the side absorbent core 40s is preferably 100% or more and 250% or less, more preferably 150% or more and 230% or less, of the basis weight of the central absorbent core 40c. The basis weight of the side absorbent core 40s is preferably 200 g / m 2 More than 400g / m 2 Less than 250 g / m 2 More than 350g / m 2 The following is the result. The basis weight of the central absorbent core 40c is preferably 50 g / m 2 More than 250g / m 2 Less than 100 g / m 2 More than 200g / m 2 The basis weight of the central absorbent core 40c is the basis weight of the portion overlapping with the front intermediate region R.

[0062] The absorbent core 40 has a portion 40e (hereinafter also referred to as "central corresponding portion 40e"; see FIG. 1) whose position in the lateral direction Y in the back portion B is the same as that of the central absorbent core 40c. It is preferable that the bending load of the central absorbent core 40c overlapping with the front intermediate region R is lower than the bending load of the central corresponding portion 40e. With this configuration, it is possible to further improve the deformability of the central absorbent core 40c, making it easier to create the space S. The bending load of the central corresponding portion 40e can be confirmed by cutting out the measurement sample from the central corresponding portion 40e of the absorbent body 4 and measuring the three-point bending load of the measurement sample by the above-mentioned <Method of measuring bending load>.

[0063] From the same viewpoint as above, it is preferable that the bending load of the central portion 40e of the absorbent core 40 is within the following range: The bending load of the central corresponding portion 40e is preferably 70% or more and 100% or less, more preferably 80% or more and 95% or less, of the bending load of the central absorbent core 40c overlapping with the front intermediate region R. The bending load of the central corresponding portion 40e is preferably 10 g / 30 mm or more and 30 g / 30 mm or less, and more preferably 15 g / 30 mm or more and 25 g / 30 mm or less.

[0064] In order to make the bending load of the central absorbent core 40c overlapping the front intermediate region R lower than the bending load of the central corresponding portion 40e, it is preferable that the basis weight of the central absorbent core 40c and the central corresponding portion 40e is within the following range. The basis weight of the central absorbent core 40c overlapping with the front intermediate region R is preferably 70% or more and 100% or less, more preferably 80% or more and 95% or less, of the basis weight of the central corresponding portion 40e. The basis weight of the central portion 40e is preferably 250 g / m 2 More than 450g / m 2 Less than 300 g / m 2 More than 400g / m 2 The following is the result.

[0065] In order to make it easier to create the space S, it is preferable that the absorbent core 40 overlapping the front intermediate region R satisfies the following magnitude relationship (C1) and (C2) regarding the bending load of the central absorbent core 40c. (C1) 2nd area R2 > 3rd area R3 (C2) 2nd area R2 > 4th area R4 The bending load of the absorbent body 4 in the second region R2, the third region R3, and the fourth region R4 can be confirmed by cutting out the above-mentioned measurement samples (30 mm square) from each portion of the central absorbent core 40c that overlaps with each of the regions R2, R3, and R4, and measuring the three-point bending load of the measurement samples by the above-mentioned <Method for measuring bending load>. In addition, when the absorbent body 4 includes a core wrap sheet 49, the measurement sample is cut out together with the core wrap sheet 49. The measurement sample is cut out from the entire thickness of the absorbent body 4.

[0066] From the viewpoint of making it easier to create the space S, with regard to the magnitude relationship of (C1), it is preferable that the bending load of the central absorbent core 40c in the second region R2 and the central absorbent core 40c in the third region R3 be within the following range. The bending load of the central absorbent core 40c in the second region R2 is preferably 120% or more and 160% or less, more preferably 130% or more and 150% or less, of the bending load of the absorbent core 40 in the third region R3. The bending load of the central absorbent core 40c in the second region R2 is preferably 10 g / 30 mm or more and 40 g / 30 mm or less, and more preferably 20 g / 30 mm or more and 30 g / 30 mm or less. The bending load of the central absorbent core 40c in the third region R3 is preferably 5 g / 30 mm or more and 30 g / 30 mm or less, and more preferably 10 g / 30 mm or more and 20 g / 30 mm or less.

[0067] From the viewpoint of making it easier to create the space S, in the magnitude relationship of (C2), it is preferable that the bending load of the central absorbent core 40c in the second region R2 and the central absorbent core 40c in the fourth region R4 be within the following range. The bending load of the central absorbent core 40c in the second region R2 is preferably 120% or more and 160% or less, more preferably 130% or more and 150% or less, of the bending load of the central absorbent core 40c in the fourth region R4. The bending load of the central absorbent core 40c in the second region R2 is preferably 10 g / 30 mm or more and 40 g / 30 mm or less, and more preferably 20 g / 30 mm or more and 30 g / 30 mm or less. The bending load of the central absorbent core 40c in the fourth region R4 is preferably 5 g / 30 mm or more and 30 g / 30 mm or less, and more preferably 10 g / 30 mm or more and 20 g / 30 mm or less.

[0068] In order to more easily satisfy the magnitude relationship of (C1) or (C2), the basis weight of the central absorbent core 40c is preferably within the following range. The basis weight of the central absorbent core 40c in the second region R2 is preferably 120% or more and 160% or less, more preferably 130% or more and 150% or less, of the basis weight of the central absorbent core 40c in the third region R3. The basis weight of the central absorbent core 40c in the second region R2 is preferably 120% or more and 160% or less, more preferably 130% or more and 150% or less, of the basis weight of the central absorbent core 40c in the fourth region R4. The basis weight of the central absorbent core 40c in the second region R2 is preferably 110 g / m 2More than 310g / m 2 Less than 160g / m 2 More than 260g / m 2 The following is the result. The basis weight of the central absorbent core 40c in the third region R3 is preferably 50 g / m 2 More than 250g / m 2 Less than 100 g / m 2 More than 200g / m 2 The following is the result. The basis weight of the central absorbent core 40c in the fourth region R4 is preferably 50 g / m 2 More than 250g / m 2 Less than 100 g / m 2 More than 200g / m 2 The following is the result.

[0069] From the viewpoint of making the absorbent body 4 more easily deformable by the concave shape, the fineness of the absorbent body elastic members 48 is preferably 550 dtex or more and 700 dtex or less, and more preferably 600 dtex or more and 650 dtex or less. From the same viewpoint as above, the stretch ratio of the absorbent body elastic members 48 is preferably 2.5 times or more and 3.5 times or less, and more preferably 2.7 times or more and 3.3 times or less. The elongation rate of the absorbent elastic member 48 can be measured in a manner similar to the above-mentioned <Method of measuring elongation rate>, except that two marks are made with an oil-based pen at the position where the absorbent elastic member 48 is located on the inner surface (skin-facing surface) of the diaper 1.

[0070] Due to the leakage prevention effect, the diaper 1 of this embodiment can preferably be applied to a thin absorbent body 4. The thickness of the absorbent body 4 provided in the diaper 1 of this embodiment is preferably 2.0 mm or more, more preferably 3.0 mm or more, and is preferably 6.0 mm or less, more preferably 5.0 mm or less, and is preferably 2.0 mm or more and 6.0 mm or less, more preferably 3.0 mm or more and 5.0 mm or less. The thickness of the absorbent body 4 is measured by the following method. First, the absorbent body 4 is placed on a horizontal surface without wrinkles or folds, and a thickness of 17 cN / cm 2The thickness is measured under a load of 17 cN / cm. For example, a thickness gauge (ABS Digimatic Indicator 575 series, manufactured by Mitutoyo Corporation) is used to measure the thickness. At this time, a load of 17 cN / cm is applied between the tip of the thickness gauge and the measurement sample (absorbent body). 2 The thickness is measured by placing a plate (an acrylic plate with a thickness of about 5 mm) having a circular or square shape in plan view, the size of which is adjusted so that the thickness is measured. In the thickness measurement, 10 arbitrary points on the measurement sample are measured, and the average value of the thicknesses at these 10 points is calculated, and this is the thickness of the absorbent body 4.

[0071] Materials forming each part of the diaper 1 in the above-mentioned embodiment will be described in detail. The topsheet 12 and the leak-proof sheet 13 may each be made of any material that is conventionally used in absorbent articles (disposable diapers) without any particular restrictions. For example, a liquid-permeable nonwoven fabric or a perforated film can be used as the topsheet 12. Examples of the nonwoven fabric include known nonwoven fabrics such as spunbond nonwoven fabric, air-through nonwoven fabric, spunlace nonwoven fabric, heat-rolled nonwoven fabric, and melt-blown nonwoven fabric. A liquid-impermeable or water-repellent sheet can be used as the leak-proof sheet 13. Such a sheet can be a resin film or a laminate of a resin film and a nonwoven fabric, etc. Examples of the resin film include films made of polymeric materials such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, cellophane, nylon, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, etc., and moisture-permeable films.

[0072] The absorbent body 4 can use, as the absorbent core 40, a laminate of hydrophilic fibers such as wood pulp and synthetic fibers that have been hydrophilically treated, or a laminate of such fibers with absorbent polymer retained therein. Also, a polymer sheet in which a water-absorbent polymer is supported on a fiber sheet such as a nonwoven fabric can be used as the absorbent 4. An example of such a polymer sheet is one described in JP 2009-022670 A, which is configured by containing a water-absorbent resin powder fixed between two sheets with an adhesive. In pants-type disposable diapers, the absorbent 4 is folded in half at the center in the longitudinal direction X, and when the wrinkles generated in the absorbent 4 overlap each other, the thickness of the diaper 1 increases. It is preferable that the absorbent 4 is made of a polymer sheet, since such an increase in thickness can be further suppressed.

[0073] The core wrap sheet 49 may be the same as the top sheet 12. From the viewpoint of being soft even if wrinkles occur and further reducing the thickness, the core wrap sheet 49 is preferably a nonwoven fabric. Examples of the nonwoven fabric include the known nonwoven fabrics mentioned above.

[0074] The above-mentioned known nonwoven fabrics, for example, can be used for the inner layer sheet 32 ​​and the outer layer sheet 31 in the exterior body 3. Alternatively, a laminated nonwoven fabric in which nonwoven fabrics are laminated on each other can be used.

[0075] The absorber elastic member 48 in the absorber 4, the cuff elastic member 61 in the leakproof cuffs 6, and the crotch elastic member 38, waist elastic member 36, waist elastic member 35, and leg elastic members 37a, 37b in the exterior body 3 may be made of various known elastic materials that are generally used in this type of absorbent article, without any particular restrictions. Examples of the elastic material include synthetic rubber such as styrene-butadiene, butadiene, isoprene, and neoprene, natural rubber, EVA, elastic polyolefin, and polyurethane. The elastic member may preferably be in the form of a thread (e.g., rubber thread) or string (e.g., flat rubber) having a rectangular, square, circular, or polygonal cross section, or a multifilament type thread.

[0076] The absorbent article of the present invention is not limited to the form shown in Figs. 1 to 5, and may have other forms. Another embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention will be described below. In the following, the other embodiment will be described mainly with respect to components different from the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 5, and similar components will be given the same reference numerals and description will be omitted. For components that are not particularly described, the description of the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 5 will be applied as appropriate.

[0077] The diaper 1 of the above-described embodiment includes the substantially rectangular absorbent core 40 having linear side edges along the longitudinal direction X, but the absorbent core 40 is not limited to this shape. The absorbent core 40a of the diaper 1a shown in Fig. 6 has a pair of cutouts 45, 45 formed on both side edges of the front body along the longitudinal direction X. The cutout 45 is disposed so as to straddle the third region R3 and the fourth region R4. In this embodiment, the absorbent core 40a has a pair of cutout portions 45, 45, which makes it less likely for wrinkles to form when the outer end portion in the lateral direction Y of the side absorbent core 40s deforms to conform to the wearer's body J, thereby further improving the fit to the body J.

[0078] In order to further suppress the occurrence of wrinkles at the outer ends in the lateral direction Y of the side absorbent core 40s, the length L10 (see FIG. 6) in the longitudinal direction X of the pair of cutout portions 45 is preferably 5 mm or more and 15 mm or less, more preferably 8 mm or more and 12 mm or less. From the same viewpoint as above, the cut length L11 (see FIG. 6) of the pair of cutout portions 45 in the horizontal direction Y is preferably 5 mm or more and 15 mm or less, and more preferably 8 mm or more and 12 mm or less. The cut length L11 is the maximum length of the cutout portion 45 in the horizontal direction Y.

[0079] Although the present invention has been described based on the preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, the absorbent core in the above-described embodiment has a pair of low stiffness portions 42, 42, but may have another low stiffness portion in addition to the low stiffness portion 42. More specifically, the absorbent core may have a pair of low stiffness portions 42, 42 and another low stiffness portion located between the low stiffness portions 42, 42 in the horizontal direction Y and extending in the vertical direction X. Furthermore, although the leakage preventing cuffs 6 in the above-described embodiment are provided with the intermediate elastic members 65, the leakage preventing cuffs 6 do not necessarily have to be provided with the intermediate elastic members 65. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 1,1a Diapers 3 Exterior body 3T stretch area 3W Waist stretch area 31 Outer layer sheet 32 Inner sheet 35 Waist elastic member 36 Waist elastic member 37a Ventral leg elastic member e1 Edge part e2 central part 37b Back leg elastic member 38 Crotch elastic member 4. Absorber 40,40a absorbent core 40c central absorbent core 40s side absorbent core 42 Low rigidity part 45 Cutout 48 Elastic member of absorbent body 49 Core wrap sheet 6 Leak proof cuff 60 Cuff forming sheet 61 Cuff elastic member 10 Absorbent body 11 Side seal part 12 Surface sheet 13 Leak-proof sheet A Ventral part B Dorsal part C Inseam CR inseam stretch area J body LS Leg opening edge P Precut area R Front intermediate area R1 1st area R2 2nd area R3 3rd area R4 4th area S space WE Waist opening end X vertical direction Y Horizontal Z thickness direction

Claims

1. An absorbent article in the form of pants, comprising an abdominal portion positioned on the wearer's abdominal side, a dorsal portion positioned on the wearer's back, and a crotch portion located between the abdominal and dorsal portions, having an absorbent core with a longitudinal direction corresponding to the direction extending from the abdominal portion through the crotch portion to the dorsal portion and a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and an outer casing positioned on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent, having a waist opening and a pair of leg openings, The outer casing has an elastic ventral leg member that is extended along the opening edge of the leg opening, extending from the ventral side to the crotch area. The outer casing has a crotch stretch region extending laterally from the crotch end of the ventral leg elastic member, and a front intermediate region between the front end of the ventral side of the absorbent core in the longitudinal direction and the crotch stretch region. The absorbent body has an absorbent elastic member that extends in the longitudinal direction and is positioned on the side along the longitudinal direction. The absorbent core has a pair of low-rigidity portions extending in the longitudinal direction in the front intermediate region, An absorbent article wherein, when the front intermediate region is divided into four equal parts in the vertical direction, and these are designated as the first region, second region, third region, and fourth region in order from the side closest to the waist opening, the low-rigidity portion overlaps with at least a part of the second region, third region, and fourth region in a plan view, and furthermore, the lateral contraction stress of each region and the crotch stretch region satisfies the following relationship of magnitudes (1), (2), and (3). (1) First area>Second area>Third area (2) First area>Second area>Fourth area (3) Inseam stretch area > 4th area

2. In the aforementioned front intermediate region, the elastic members arranged in an extended state in the lateral direction are intermittently arranged along the longitudinal direction. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the spacing between the elastic members in the longitudinal direction gradually widens from the ventral side toward the crotch side.

3. The absorbent article according to claim 2, wherein in the front intermediate region, the contraction stress of the elastic member gradually decreases from the ventral side toward the crotch side.

4. The aforementioned front intermediate region has a pre-cut region in the lateral center where the elastic stretchability of the elastic member does not manifest. The absorbent article according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the lateral length of the pre-cut area gradually increases from the ventral side toward the crotch side.

5. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the end of the low-rigidity portion on the crotch side overlaps with the front end on the ventral side of the crotch stretchable region in a plan view.

6. The absorbent core comprises side absorbent cores located laterally outward from each of the pair of low-rigidity portions, and a central absorbent core located between the pair of low-rigidity portions. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the bending load of the side absorbent core is greater than or equal to the bending load of the central absorbent core.

7. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the absorbent core has a pair of notches arranged on both side edges along the longitudinal direction, spanning the third region and the fourth region.

8. The absorbent core comprises side absorbent cores located laterally outward from each of the pair of low-rigidity portions, and a central absorbent core located between the pair of low-rigidity portions. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the absorbent core has a central absorbent core that overlaps with the front intermediate region, and the bending load of the central absorbent core is lower than that of the portion on the back side where the lateral position is the same as that of the central absorbent core, and the relationship between the bending loads of the central absorbent core and the following (C1) and (C2) is satisfied. (C1) Second area>Third area (C2) Second area>Fourth area

Images