Absorbent article including front pad and rear pad

Abstract

To provide an absorbent article capable of being worn in a state of fitting a wearer's body, which allows the wearer to adjust an overlapping amount of a crotch part of a front pad and a crotch part of a rear pad.SOLUTION: An absorbent article 1 is usable, with a front pad 2 and a rear pad 3 connected at a crotch area of a wearer. Both pads 2 and 3 each include crotch parts C to be disposed on the crotch area. Both pads 2 and 3 can be connected in a state of overlapping parts of the crotch parts C, and can be connected by adjusting increase / decrease of the overlapping amount in the longitudinal direction X. An engaging member 17c engageable with a non-skin-facing surface of the front pad 2 is disposed on a skin-facing surface of the crotch part C of the rear pad 3, so as to allow the wearer to engage the engaging member 17c with a desired position in the longitudinal direction X of the non-skin-facing surface of the front pad 2. A first display 7 as an index of the overlapping amount is attached to the non-skin-facing surface side of the crotch part C of the front pad 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an absorbent article having a front pad and a rear pad. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art As one type of absorbent article such as a disposable diaper, there is known an absorbent article that is configured so that a portion of the absorbent article to be placed in the crotch region of a wearer can be separated into a front side and a rear side. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a diaper comprising front and back body sections which form an opening through which the waist is passed, front and back flap sections which extend downward from the front and back body sections, and joining means which can join the lower ends of the front and back flap sections in an overlapping state.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a pants-type disposable diaper which comprises a waist portion which forms a waist opening, and front and rear portions which are joined to the lower end of the waist portion, the front and rear portions being removably connected to each other by a connecting means. Patent document 3 discloses a diaper which has a front main body portion and a rear main body portion, in which tape fasteners on extension portions located on the left and right sides of the rear main body portion are fixed to tape panels on the front main body portion, and a tape fastener provided on the inner surface of the lower portion of the front main body portion is fixed to a tape panel on the outer surface of the lower portion of the rear main body portion. Patent Document 4 discloses a disposable diaper in which the front and rear portions can be separated or connected in the front-to-rear direction at the crotch area, and the front portion is fastened to the outer surface of a band that extends from both sides of the upper part of the rear body of the rear portion and fastens to each other at the lower abdomen. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 09-000566 [Patent Document 2] JP 2008-29762 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2011-72778 A [Patent Document 4] JP 2019-13603 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In order to wear the absorbent articles disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 4 in a fitted state, it is important to determine the amount of overlap between the crotch portion of the front portion and the crotch portion of the back portion. For example, if the amount of overlap is too small, the length of the crotch portion of the entire absorbent article becomes too long, and the absorbent article becomes loose in the crotch region of the wearer. On the other hand, if the amount of overlap is too large, the length of the crotch portion of the entire absorbent article becomes too short, and the absorbent article becomes tight in the crotch region of the wearer. Patent Documents 1 to 4 do not disclose anything about adjusting the amount of overlap between the crotch parts of the front and rear portions, and there is room for improvement in terms of allowing the absorbent article to be worn in a manner that fits the wearer's body.

[0006] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article which has a front pad which is placed on the wearer's abdominal side and a rear pad which is placed on the wearer's back side, and which can be used with both pads connected in the wearer's crotch area, and in which the amount of overlap between the crotch portions of the front pad and the crotch portions of the rear pad can be adjusted, so that the absorbent article can be worn in a state which fits the wearer's body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention relates to an absorbent article that has a vertical direction corresponding to the front-to-back direction of a wearer and a horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, has a front pad that is positioned on the wearer's abdominal side and a rear pad that is positioned on the wearer's back side, and can be used with both pads connected in the crotch region of the wearer. In one embodiment, the front pad and the rear pad preferably have crotch portions disposed in the crotch region. In one embodiment, it is preferable that the front pad and the rear pad can be connected with parts of the crotch portion overlapping each other, and that the amount of overlap in the vertical direction can be adjusted to be increased or decreased. In one embodiment, an engaging member capable of engaging with the non-skin-facing surface of the front pad is arranged on the skin-facing surface of the crotch portion of the rear pad, and it is preferable that the engaging member can be engaged at a desired position in the vertical direction on the non-skin-facing surface of the front pad. In one embodiment, a first mark serving as an indication of the amount of overlapping is preferably provided on a non-skin-facing surface side of the crotch portion of the front pad. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the absorbent article of the present invention, the overlapping amount between the crotch portion of the front pad and the crotch portion of the rear pad can be adjusted, and the absorbent article can be worn in a state that fits the wearer's body. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a disposable diaper as one embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a schematic view of the skin-facing surface side of the front pad shown in FIG. 1 in a maximum stretched state. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a schematic view of the non-skin facing surface side of the front pad shown in FIG. 1 in a maximum stretched state. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a schematic view of the skin-facing surface side of the rear pad shown in FIG. 1 in a maximum stretched state. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a schematic view of the non-skin facing surface side of the rear pad shown in FIG. 1 in a maximum stretched state. [Figure 8]8(a) to 8(c) are perspective views showing the wearing operation of the absorbent article shown in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a plan view in an unfolded and maximum extended state illustrating a state in which the crotch portions of the front pad and rear pad shown in FIG. 1 are overlapped when they are connected together. [Figure 10] 10(a) and (b) are plan views for explaining a method for determining whether or not the first displays are at the same position in the vertical direction. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a view showing a modification of the front pad shown in FIG. 1, and corresponds to FIG. [Figure 12] 12(a) to 12(c) are plan views showing modified examples of the engaging member associated with the rear pad shown in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a view showing a front pad according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and corresponds to FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a plan view that typically illustrates a state in which the front pad and the rear pad shown in FIG. 13 are connected to each other. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] The present invention will be described below based on preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. The drawings are basically schematic, and the ratio of each dimension may differ from the actual one.

[0011] 1 to 9 show a disposable diaper 1 (hereinafter, also simply referred to as "diaper 1"), which is one embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention. The diaper 1 of this embodiment has a front pad 2 arranged on the abdominal side of a wearer, and a rear pad 3 arranged on the back side of the wearer (see FIG. 1). The front pad 2 and the rear pad 3 can be connected at their upper and lower ends by fastening parts and engaging members described below, and in the connected state, they have a waist opening WO through which the wearer's torso passes, and a pair of leg openings LO through which the wearer's lower legs pass.

[0012] The diaper 1 of this embodiment has a longitudinal direction X corresponding to the front-to-back direction of a wearer and a transverse direction Y perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X. The longitudinal direction X coincides with the longitudinal direction of the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3. In this specification, the terms "upper side," "above," and "top" refer to the side of the waist opening end WE that corresponds to the waist side of a wearer when the diaper 1 is worn and that forms the waist opening WO in the longitudinal direction X. Additionally, the terms "lower side," "below," and "bottom" refer to the side opposite the waist opening end WE in the longitudinal direction X.

[0013] Each of the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3 has a crotch region C that is placed in the crotch region of the wearer when the diaper 1 formed by connecting the two pads is worn (see FIG. 1). The crotch region C of the pads 2 is the lowest region when the entire length of the pads 2, 3 in the vertical direction X is divided into three equal regions. The crotch regions C of both pads 2, 3 include the lower end portions of the pads. The diaper 1 can be connected to the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3 with parts of the crotch regions C overlapping each other.

[0014] The front pad 2 of this embodiment is shown in Figures 2 to 5. In a maximum extended state, the front pad 2 has a shape that is long in one direction, and has an outer shape that is line-symmetrical with respect to a virtual line (not shown) that bisects the entire length in the horizontal direction Y and extends in the vertical direction X (see Figure 2). When in use, the longitudinal direction of the front pad 2 is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the rear pad 3 in a state in which the front pad 2 is previously worn by the wearer.

[0015] In this specification, the "maximum stretched state" refers to a state in which the elastic members of each part of the wearing article, such as the absorbent article, the front pad 2, the rear pad, etc., are stretched to their maximum extent and expanded to the same dimensions as the design dimensions, i.e., the dimensions when spread out flat without any effect of the elastic members. The term "unfolded and maximally stretched state" refers to a state in which the worn article is unfolded flat and then put into the maximally stretched state.

[0016] The front pad 2 comprises an absorbent body 20, and a front waist portion 28 and a crotch horizontal stretchable portion 17 arranged on the skin-facing surface side of the absorbent body 20. The absorbent body 20 forms the main body of the front pad 2. The absorbent body 20 (hereinafter also referred to as the "front absorbent body 20") comprises a liquid-permeable top sheet 11 forming the skin-facing surface, a liquid-impermeable or poorly liquid-permeable or water-repellent leak-proof sheet 12, a liquid-retentive absorbent body 14 (see Figs. 3 and 4) arranged between the top sheet 11 and the leak-proof sheet 12, and an exterior sheet 13 (see Figs. 3 and 4) arranged on the non-skin-facing side of the leak-proof sheet 12, which are integrated together by a known joining means such as an adhesive. The absorbent body 20 also has three-dimensional cuffs 6 arranged on both sides of the absorbent body 14, and leg cuffs 5 formed outward in the lateral direction Y from the three-dimensional cuffs 6. The front waist portion 28 is disposed at the upper end of the front absorbent main body 20. The crotch horizontal stretchable portions 17 are disposed at the lower end of the front absorbent main body 20 (see FIG. 2).

[0017] In this specification, the "skin-facing side" refers to the side of the absorbent article or its constituent member (e.g., absorbent body) that faces the wearer's skin when the absorbent article 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 absorbent article or its constituent member that faces the opposite side to the skin when the absorbent article is worn, i.e., the side relatively farther from the wearer's skin. "When worn" here refers to the normal, proper wearing position, i.e., the state in which the absorbent article (disposable diaper) is maintained in the correct wearing position.

[0018] The front absorbent body 20 of this embodiment has a pair of three-dimensional cuffs 6, 6 on both sides along the longitudinal direction X of the absorbent 14, which stand up against the wearer's skin when the diaper 1 is worn (see FIG. 3). Each three-dimensional cuff 6 includes a cuff-forming sheet 50 folded in half to have a folded-back portion at the inner end in the transverse direction Y, and an elastic member 6a (hereinafter also referred to as "cuff elastic member 6a") fixed in a stretched state in the longitudinal direction X between the sheets 50, 50. In the three-dimensional cuff 6 of this embodiment, in the maximum stretched state, a plurality of cuff elastic members 6a extending in the longitudinal direction X are arranged at intervals in the transverse direction Y.

[0019] The pair of three-dimensional cuffs 6, 6 extend along the vertical direction X and have an upright stretchable part 6s that stands at least in the central region in the vertical direction X of the front pad 2 and exhibits elastic stretchability, and a non-upright stretchable part 6t that is located below the upright stretchable part 6s and exhibits elastic stretchability (see FIG. 2). The upright stretchable part 6s stands on the skin side to prevent excreted liquid such as urine from flowing outward in the horizontal direction Y. The non-standing stretchable portions 6t do not have standing properties because the cuff forming sheet 50 is joined to the top sheet 11 by a known joining means such as an adhesive. In this embodiment, the non-standing stretchable portion 6t is disposed on the skin-facing side of the top sheet 11, and the outer end in the lateral direction Y of the cuff forming sheet 50 is disposed on the skin-facing side of the crotch lateral stretchable portion 17 (see FIG. 4). In the portion where the non-standing stretchable portion 6t is located, the top sheet 11 is located between the non-standing stretchable portion 6t and the crotch lateral stretchable portion 17 in the thickness direction Z of the front pad 2. In FIG. 4, in order to illustrate the structure of the crotch lateral stretchable portion 17, there is a gap between the crotch lateral stretchable portion forming sheets 17b, 17b of the crotch lateral stretchable portion 17, but in reality the crotch lateral stretchable portion forming sheets 17b, 17b are in contact with each other. Instead of the configuration shown in FIG. 4, the non-standing elasticated portion 6t may have a crotch horizontal elasticated portion 17 disposed on its skin-facing surface side, and may be joined to the front absorbent main body 20 by the crotch horizontal elasticated portion 17.

[0020] In the front absorbent main body 20 of this embodiment, a pair of leg cuffs 5 are formed outward in the lateral direction Y from the pair of three-dimensional cuffs 6. The pair of leg cuffs 5, 5 extend along the longitudinal direction X and are formed on both side edges of the front pad 2 corresponding to the wearer's legs in the diaper 1. Such both side edges are located outward in the lateral direction Y from the three-dimensional cuffs 6. The leg cuffs 5 include a plurality of sheets extending outward in the lateral direction Y from a fixing portion (not shown) between the three-dimensional cuffs 6 and the topsheet 11, and elastic members 5a (hereinafter also referred to as "leg elastic members 5a") fixed between these sheets in a stretched state in the longitudinal direction X. The leg cuffs 5 of this embodiment are formed integrally with the three-dimensional cuffs 6 by the cuff-forming sheets 50. The leg cuffs 5 of this embodiment are formed by the cuff-forming sheets 50, the leak-barrier sheets 12, and the exterior sheets 13, which extend outward in the lateral direction Y from the three-dimensional cuffs 6 (see Figs. 3 and 4), and include leg elastic members 5a extending in the longitudinal direction X between the cuff-forming sheets 50 and the leak-barrier sheets 12. In addition, in the portion where the non-standing stretchable portions 6t are located in the longitudinal direction X, the crotch lateral stretchable portions 17 interposed between the top sheet 11 and the leak-barrier sheets 12 extend outward in the lateral direction Y from the outer ends of the leg cuffs 5 in the lateral direction Y, i.e., from both side edges of the front absorbent main body 20. The leg cuffs 5 may be configured to include a leak-proof sheet 12 and an exterior sheet 13 extending outward in the lateral direction Y beyond the three-dimensional cuffs 6, and leg elastic members 5a fixed between these sheets 12,13.

[0021] The leg cuff 5 of this embodiment has an outer stretchable portion 5s that exhibits elastic stretchability due to the leg elastic members 5a. In the outer stretchable portion 5s, the leg elastic members 5a contract in the longitudinal direction X to form leg gathers. In this embodiment, the outer stretchable portion 5s has a plurality of leg elastic members 5a extending in the vertical direction X and arranged in the horizontal direction Y at intervals.

[0022] In the front absorbent main body 20 of this embodiment, when viewed in plan from the skin-facing side, both side edges along the longitudinal direction X are formed by cuff-forming sheets 50. These cuff-forming sheets 50 form side flap portions together with the leakproof sheet 12 and the exterior sheet 13 on the outer side of the absorbent body 14 in the lateral direction Y. The side flap portions are portions of the front absorbent main body 20 that extend outward in the lateral direction Y beyond the absorbent body 14. The front waist portion 28 and the crotch horizontal stretchable portions 17 extend outward in the lateral direction Y beyond the side flap portions.

[0023] The front pad 2 has a crotch horizontal stretchable portion 17 at its lower end (crotch region C) (see Figs. 2 and 4). The crotch horizontal stretchable portion 17 is arranged at least in the crotch region C of the front pad 2, and preferably arranged so that the lower edge of the crotch horizontal stretchable portion 17 is approximately aligned with the lower edge of the front absorbent body 20. The crotch horizontal stretchable portion 17 includes two crotch horizontal stretchable portion forming sheets 17b, 17b long in the lateral direction Y, and a crotch horizontal elastic member 17a fixed in a stretched state between these sheets 17b, 17b. The crotch horizontal stretchable portion 17 has a plurality of crotch horizontal elastic members 17a extending in the lateral direction Y intermittently in the longitudinal direction X on both sides in the lateral direction Y, and does not have the crotch horizontal elastic member 17a in the central portion in the lateral direction Y. The crotch horizontal stretchable portion 17 has elastic stretchability in the horizontal direction Y at both sides by the crotch horizontal elastic members 17a arranged on both sides in the horizontal direction Y. The "central portion in the horizontal direction Y" is the central region when the total length of the front absorbent main body 20 in the horizontal direction Y is divided into three equal regions. In this embodiment, the crotch horizontal stretchable portion 17 is wider than the front absorbent main body 20, more specifically, than the leak-proof sheet 12. As a result, in the maximum stretched state, the crotch horizontal stretchable portion 17 extends outward in the lateral direction Y from the lateral Y outer edges of the leg cuffs 5 (both side edges of the front absorbent main body 20) (see FIG. 2). Note that the crotch horizontal stretchable portion 17 does not necessarily need to extend from the front absorbent main body 20 in the lateral direction Y. For example, the edge in the lateral direction Y of the crotch horizontal stretchable portion 17 may be located inside in the lateral direction Y from the edge in the lateral direction Y of the front absorbent main body 20. Furthermore, the position of the edge in the lateral direction Y of the crotch horizontal stretchable portion 17 may coincide with the position of the edge in the lateral direction Y of the front absorbent main body 20.

[0024] The front pad 2 has a front waist portion 28 at its upper end (see FIG. 2). The front waist portion 28, like the crotch horizontal stretchable portion 17, includes two sheets 28b, 28b that are long in the horizontal direction Y, and an elastic member 28a fixed in a stretched state between the sheets 28b, 28b (a cross-sectional view is not shown). The sheet 28b included in the front waist portion 28 is hereinafter also referred to as the "waist portion forming sheet 28b," and the elastic member 28a included in the front waist portion 28 is hereinafter also referred to as the "horizontal waist elastic member 28a." The front waist portion 28 has a plurality of waistline transverse elastic members 28a extending in the transverse direction Y intermittently arranged in the vertical direction X on both sides in the transverse direction Y, and does not have any waistline transverse elastic members 28a in the central portion in the transverse direction Y. The front waist portion 28 has elastic stretchability in the transverse direction Y on both sides by the waistline transverse elastic members 28a arranged on both sides in the transverse direction Y.

[0025] The front waist portion 28 of this embodiment is wider than the front absorbent main body 20, more specifically, wider than the leakproof sheet 12. As a result, in the maximum stretched state, the front waist portion 28 extends outward in the lateral direction Y beyond the outer edges (both side edges of the front absorbent main body 20) of the leg cuffs 5 (see FIG. 2). Furthermore, in the maximum stretched state, the front waist portion 28 of this embodiment extends outward in the lateral direction Y beyond the crotch horizontal stretchable portions 17 (see FIG. 2).

[0026] The front waist portion 28 has fastening parts 29c, 29s, 29s at the center in the lateral direction Y and at both sides in the lateral direction Y of the waist portion-forming sheet 28b on the skin-facing side. More specifically, the front waist portion 28 has a central fastening part 29c between the waist-line transverse elastic members 28a located on both sides, and has side fastening parts 29s outward in the lateral direction Y of the waist-line transverse elastic members 28a. These fastening parts 29c, 29s, 29s are arranged on the skin-facing side of the front waist portion 28. The side fastening parts 29s extend along both side edges of the waist-circumference part forming sheet 28b, and the central fastening part 29c extends in the lateral direction Y (see FIG. 2). These fastening parts 29c, 29s, 29s have male members of a mechanical hook-and-loop fastener on the skin-facing surface. This allows the fastening parts 29c, 29s, 29s to be detachably fastened to the non-skin-facing surface of the waist-circumference belt 38 of the rear pad 3, which will be described later.

[0027] The front pad 2 has an engaged area on the non-skin facing surface of the crotch portion C that can be engaged with an engaging member 17c of the rear pad 3 described later. In this embodiment, the front pad 2 has a female member of a mechanical hook-and-loop fastener on the non-skin facing surface, and the engaging member 17c of the rear pad 3 described later can be detachably engaged with the non-skin facing surface. The material of the female member can be selected according to the shape of the male member of the engaging member 17c. The front pad 2 of this embodiment has a non-skin facing surface formed by an exterior sheet 13 (see Figs. 1, 3, and 4), and the exterior sheet 13 is made of a nonwoven fabric with high engaging properties. That is, in this embodiment, the entire non-skin facing surface of the front pad 2 is an engaged area that can be engaged with the engaging member 17c.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 5, the front pad 2 has a first mark 7 on the non-skin facing surface. In the diaper 1 of this embodiment, the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3 can be connected in a state where parts of the crotch portion C are overlapped with each other, and the first mark 7 is an indicator of the amount of overlap in the vertical direction X when the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3 are connected in an overlapping manner at the crotch portion C. The diaper 1 has a plurality of first markings 7. Specifically, the first markings 7 are arranged intermittently in the vertical direction X. The first markings 7 can be characters, figures, pictures, symbols, designs, patterns, embroidery, or other designs. When the diaper 1 has a plurality of first markings 7, the plurality of first markings 7 may have the same design or different designs.

[0029] 2 and 5, the front pad 2 is provided with an indicator 8 that notifies the user of urination by changing color. In this embodiment, the indicator 8 is disposed at least in the crotch portion C. The indicator 8 extends along the vertical direction X. The indicator 8 is disposed in the center of the front pad 2 in the horizontal direction Y.

[0030] In this specification, "color change" includes not only a change from one color to another, but also so-called "coloring" from a colorless state to a colored state and so-called "discoloration" from a colored state to a colorless state. The change in color of the indicator 8 can be visually observed by the wearer, or the caregiver or caregiver of the wearer, to serve as an indication of when to change the diaper 1.

[0031] The indicator 8 may contain a coloring material that changes color upon contact with excrement containing moisture such as urine or sweat, and may be any of those that have been used as indicators in this type of absorbent article. The coloring material constituting the indicator may be, for example, a mixture of a pH indicator and an oxidizing compound. The coloring material constituting the indicator may be kneaded into a hot melt adhesive, and the indicator 8 may be formed by applying the hot melt adhesive to the skin-facing surface of the leak-proof sheet 12. The indicator 8 may be disposed at any position in the thickness direction Z of the front pad 2. The indicator 8 may be disposed on the skin-facing side of the absorbent body 14, or on the non-skin-facing side. From the viewpoint of making it easier to visually recognize the change in color of the indicator 8, it is preferable that the indicator 8 is disposed on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body 14. In this embodiment, the indicator 8 is disposed on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body 14.

[0032] The rear pad 3 of this embodiment is shown in Fig. 6. In the maximum extended state, the rear pad 3 has a shape that is long in one direction, similar to the front pad 2. The rear pad 3, except for a waist belt 38 described later, has an outer shape that is line-symmetrical with respect to a virtual straight line (not shown) that bisects the entire length in the horizontal direction Y and extends in the vertical direction X. When in use, the longitudinal direction of the rear pad 3 is aligned with the height direction of the wearer.

[0033] The rear pad 3 comprises an absorbent body 30, and a waist belt 38 and a crotch horizontal stretchable portion 17 arranged on the skin-facing surface side of the absorbent body 30. The absorbent body 30 forms the main body of the rear pad 3. The absorbent main body 30 in the rear pad 3 (hereinafter also referred to as the "rear absorbent main body 30") has a similar configuration to the front absorbent main body 20. Therefore, components similar to those of the front absorbent main body 20, including the three-dimensional cuffs 6 and the leg cuffs 5, are denoted by the same reference numerals and explanations are omitted, and components different from the front absorbent main body 20 will be mainly explained. For components not particularly explained, the explanation of the front absorbent main body 20 shown in Figs. 2 to 4 is applied as appropriate. In this case, the "front pad 2" is replaced with the "rear pad 3", and the "front absorbent main body 20" is replaced with the "rear absorbent main body 30".

[0034] Furthermore, the dimensions such as length and width (length in the transverse direction Y) of each part of the absorbent bodies 20, 30, the number of parts, and the materials used for forming the parts may be the same or different. For example, the leg cuffs 5 in the rear absorbent main body 30 of this embodiment have a larger number of leg elastic members 5a than the leg cuffs 5 in the front absorbent main body 20. In this manner, the front absorbent main body 20 and the rear absorbent main body 30 may have different or the same number of leg elastic members 5a. In order to widely cover the buttocks of the wearer, the rear absorbent main body 30 has a larger dimension than the front absorbent main body 20. This configuration is also applied to each member (the absorbent body 14, the leakproof sheet, etc.) that the absorbent main bodies 20, 30 have.

[0035] The rear pad 3 has an engagement member 17c disposed on the skin-facing surface of the crotch portion C. The engagement member 17c is engageable with the non-skin-facing surface of the front pad 2. In this embodiment, the engagement member 17c is disposed on the skin-facing surface of the crotch horizontal stretchable portion 17.

[0036] The crotch horizontal stretchable portion 17 is disposed at the lower end (crotch region C) of the rear pad 3 (rear absorbent main body 30) (see FIG. 6). This crotch horizontal stretchable portion 17 has the same configuration as the crotch horizontal stretchable portion 17 in the front pad 2, except for the crotch fastening portion 17c. Therefore, for the components not specifically described, the description of the crotch horizontal stretchable portion 17 in the front pad 2 is applied as appropriate.

[0037] The position of the edge in the lateral direction Y of the crotch horizontal stretchable portion 17 of the rear pad 3 may or may not coincide with the position of the edge in the lateral direction Y of the rear pad 3 (see FIG. 6). For example, the crotch horizontal stretchable portion 17 of the rear pad 3 may extend from the rear pad 3 in the lateral direction Y. Also, the edge in the lateral direction Y of the crotch horizontal stretchable portion 17 of the rear pad 3 may be located inward in the lateral direction Y from the edge in the lateral direction Y of the rear pad 3.

[0038] The crotch lateral stretchable portion 17 in the rear pad 3 of this embodiment has an engagement member 17c at the center in the lateral direction Y of the crotch lateral stretchable portion forming sheet 17b on the skin-facing side. More specifically, the engagement member 17c in the rear pad 3 has the engagement member 17c between the crotch lateral elastic members 17a located on both sides. The engagement member 17c extends in the lateral direction Y (see FIG. 6). This engagement member 17c has a male member of a mechanical hook-and-loop fastener on the skin-facing surface. This allows the rear pad 3 to be detachably attached to the non-skin-facing surface (exterior sheet 13) of the front pad 2 by the engagement member 17c.

[0039] The rear pad 3 has a waist belt 38 at its upper end (see FIG. 6). The waist belt 38 has a central sheet portion 39 located in the center of the belt 38 in the lateral direction Y and extending in the lateral direction Y, a pair of stretchable panels 40, 40 arranged on both sides of the central sheet portion 39 in the lateral direction Y, a connecting fastening sheet portion 42 provided on the outer side of one stretchable panel 40 in the lateral direction Y, and a connecting fastened sheet portion 41 provided on the outer side of the other stretchable panel 40 in the lateral direction Y. The waist belt 38 shown in FIG. 6 is formed by connecting fastened sheet portions 41, stretchable panel 40, center sheet portion 39, stretchable panel 40, and connecting fastening sheet portions 42 connected in the lateral direction Y from left to right. The connecting fastened sheet portions 41, the pair of stretchable panels 40, 40, center sheet portion 39, and connecting fastening sheet portions 42 are each formed of a fiber sheet such as a nonwoven fabric. In this embodiment, the stretchable panel 40 has an inner end in the lateral direction Y joined to the non-skin facing surface of the rear absorbent main body 30 (see FIG. 6). For such joining, known joining means such as hot melt adhesive, heat fusion, or ultrasonic sealing can be used. The stretchable panel 40 may be located closer to the skin facing surface than the rear absorbent main body 30. For example, the inner end in the lateral direction Y of the stretchable panel 40 may be joined to the skin facing surface of the rear absorbent main body 30. In this embodiment, the pair of stretchable panels 40 need only be provided in the region located closest to the waist when the entire length of the rear absorbent body 30 in the vertical direction X is divided into three equal regions, and the position of the region in the vertical direction X is not particularly limited.

[0040] The central sheet portion 39 is located at the upper end of the rear absorbent body 30, and both side portions in the lateral direction Y on the non-skin-facing side of the sheet portion 39 and the inner end portion in the lateral direction Y on the skin-facing side of the stretch panel 40 are joined by a known joining means such as an adhesive. The stretchable panel 40 comprises two sheets 40b and a panel elastic member 40a fixed in a stretched state between the sheets 40b. In the stretchable panel 40, a plurality of panel elastic members 40a extending in the horizontal direction Y are intermittently arranged in the vertical direction X. The panel elastic members 40a provide the stretchable panel 40 with elastic stretchability in the horizontal direction Y.

[0041] The connected and fastened sheet part 41 is joined to the outer end part in the lateral direction Y of one of the stretchable panels 40 by a known joining means such as an adhesive. The non-skin facing surface of the connected and fastened sheet part 41 is made of a nonwoven fabric having good engagement properties, similar to the exterior sheet 13. That is, the connected and fastened sheet part 41 has a female member of a mechanical hook-and-loop fastener on the non-skin facing surface. The connecting and fastening sheet part 42 has a fastening part 42a having a male member of a mechanical hook-and-loop fastener at the lateral outer end of the skin-facing surface. The non-skin-facing surface of the connecting and fastening sheet part 42 is also made of a nonwoven fabric with high engagement properties. That is, the connecting and fastening sheet part 42 has a female member of a mechanical hook-and-loop fastener on the non-skin-facing surface.

[0042] The fastening portion 42a of the connecting fastening sheet portion 42 can be detachably fastened to the non-skin facing surface of the connecting fastened sheet portion 41. By fastening the connecting fastening sheet portion 42 to the connecting fastened sheet portion 41, the waist belt 38 becomes circular. In such a circular state, the non-skin facing surfaces of the connecting fastening sheet portion 42 and the connecting fastened sheet portion 41 have the female member, so that the central fastening portion 29c and the side fastening portion 29s provided on the front waist portion 28 of the front pad 2 can be detachably fastened. This allows the upper end of the front pad 2 to be attached to the circular waist belt 38. Furthermore, the annular waist belt 38 has a pair of stretchable panels 40 that stretch in the circumferential direction, so that it fits well around the waist of the wearer.

[0043] FIG. 8 shows the operation for putting on the diaper 1 of this embodiment. In the diaper 1 of this embodiment, first, the waist belt 38 of the rear pad is wrapped around the waist of the wearer, and the fastening portion 42a of the connecting fastening sheet portion 42 is fastened to the connecting fastened sheet portion 41 on the abdominal side (front) of the wearer. In this way, the annular waist belt 38 is put around the waist of the wearer (see FIG. 8(a)). Next, the central fastening portion 29c and the side fastening portion 29s of the front pad 2 are fastened to the non-skin facing surface of the waist belt 38 put around the waist (see FIG. 8(b)). Next, the crotch fastening portion 17c of the rear pad 3 is fastened to the non-skin facing surface of the front pad 2 (see FIG. 8(c)). In this way, the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3 are connected at their upper and lower ends, respectively, and the diaper 1 is put on the wearer's body. That is, the diaper 1 of this embodiment can be used in a state in which the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3 are connected to each other in the crotch region C and on the abdominal side around the waist.

[0044] In the diaper 1 of this embodiment, the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3 can be freely connected and separated by the fastening parts described above, and therefore the burden on the environment is reduced compared to conventional non-separate type absorbent articles. That is, when a conventional non-separate type absorbent article in which a part corresponding to the wearer's abdomen (part corresponding to the front pad) and a part corresponding to the wearer's back (part corresponding to the rear pad) are inseparably integrated, the part corresponding to the rear pad must be discarded together with the part corresponding to the front pad that is soiled with excrement, even if the part corresponding to the rear pad is not soiled. However, in the diaper 1 of this embodiment, it is sufficient to replace only the front pad 2 with a new one while leaving the rear pad 3 as it is, and therefore the amount of waste disposal and carbon dioxide emissions are reduced compared to non-separate type absorbent articles, which can contribute to reducing the burden on the environment.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 9, the diaper 1 of this embodiment can be connected to the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3 with parts of the crotch portion C overlapping each other, and the amount of overlap in the vertical direction X can be adjusted to be increased or decreased. As described above, the diaper 1 has the engaging member 17c on the skin-facing surface of the crotch portion C of the rear pad 3, and the engaging member 17c can be engaged with a desired position in the longitudinal direction X of the non-skin-facing surface of the front pad 2. In this embodiment, the non-skin-facing surface of the front pad 2 is formed of an exterior sheet 13 made of a nonwoven fabric having good engaging properties, so that the engaging member 17c can be engaged with a desired position in the longitudinal direction X of the non-skin-facing surface of the front pad 2. When the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3 are connected with portions of the crotch area C overlapping each other, the amount of overlap can be adjusted by adjusting the position at which the engaging member 17c of the rear pad 3 engages on the non-skin-facing surface of the front pad 2.

[0046] As described above, the diaper 1 of this embodiment has the first marking 7 on the non-skin facing surface of the front pad 2. This allows the diaper 1 to be worn in a state where it fits the wearer's body. Specifically, when the engaging member 17c of the rear pad 3 is engaged with the non-skin facing surface of the front pad 2 to connect the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3, the position in the vertical direction X of the non-skin facing surface of the front pad 2 to which the engaging member 17c is to be engaged can be determined using the first marking 7 as an indicator. In other words, when the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3 are connected, the overlap amount of the crotch parts C in the vertical direction X can be determined using the first marking 7 as an indicator, so that the diaper 1 can be worn in a state where it fits the wearer's body. From the viewpoint of achieving this effect more significantly, it is preferable that the first markings 7 are arranged intermittently in the vertical direction X.

[0047] In this embodiment, the front pad 2 is provided with an indicator 8, and the first indicia 7 are intermittently arranged in the vertical direction X on both sides of the indicator 8. Among the multiple first indicia 7, the first indicia 7, 7 that are at the same position in the vertical direction X have the same design. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, four first indicia 7 are arranged in the vertical direction X on both sides of the indicator 8. The four first indicia 7 lined up in the vertical direction X have different designs. On the other hand, the first indicia 7, 7 that are at the same position in the vertical direction X have the same design. On each side of the indicator 8, the first markings 7 are intermittently arranged in the vertical direction X, and the first markings 7, 7 at the same position in the vertical direction X have the same pattern. This makes it easier to determine the amount of overlap between the crotch portions C in the vertical direction X when connecting the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3, using the first markings 7 as an indicator, and makes it easier to have the diaper 1 worn in a state where it fits the wearer's body.

[0048] A method for determining whether the first marks 7, 7 are located at the same position in the vertical direction X will be described with reference to FIG. 10. The length from the upper end 7u located at the uppermost position in the vertical direction X among the upper ends of the first marks 7a, 7b in the vertical direction X to the lower end 7d located at the lowermost position in the vertical direction X among the lower ends of the first marks 7a, 7b in the vertical direction X is defined as D1 (see FIG. 10). Also, the length of the portion where the first marks 7a and 7b overlap in the horizontal direction Y is defined as D2 (see FIG. 10). Then, if the ratio D2 / D1 of the length D2 to the length D1 is 0.5 or more, it is determined that the first marks 7a and 7b are located at the same position in the vertical direction X.

[0049] Furthermore, in the diaper 1, it is preferable that when the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3 are connected with parts of the crotch portion C overlapping each other, part of the indicator 8 is covered by the rear pad 3. This makes it easier to determine, using the indicator 8 as an index, at which position in the lateral direction Y on the non-skin-facing surface of the front pad 2 the rear pad 3 should be connected when connecting the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3, and prevents the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3 from being connected in a state of excessive misalignment in the lateral direction Y. This makes it easier for the diaper 1 to be worn in a state where it fits the wearer's body. From the viewpoint of achieving this effect more significantly, when the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3 are connected with parts of the crotch portion C overlapping each other, the length H1 of the part of the indicator 8 covered by the rear pad 3 is preferably 10% or more, more preferably 13% or more, and even more preferably 15% or more of the total length H of the indicator 8 (see FIG. 9). Also, from the viewpoint of ensuring the visibility of the indicator 8 whose color has changed due to urination, the length H1 is preferably 85% or less, more preferably 82% or less, and even more preferably 80% or less of the total length H of the indicator 8 (see FIG. 9). From the viewpoint of achieving both of these, the length H1 is preferably 10% or more and 85% or less, more preferably 13% or more and 82% or less, and even more preferably 15% or more and 80% or less of the total length H of the indicator 8.

[0050] In this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, a slit portion 18 is formed in the absorbent body 14. The slit portion 18 extends along the longitudinal direction X of the front pad 2. As shown in Fig. 2, the slit portion 18 overlaps with the indicator 8 in the thickness direction of the front pad 2. In other words, the slit portion 18 and the indicator 8 overlap in a plan view of the front pad 2. The advantage of the slit portion 18 and the indicator 8 being in such a positional relationship is as follows. When the slit portion 18 is formed in the absorbent body 14, the excrement absorbed in the absorbent body 14 of the front pad 2 is easily transferred through the slit portion 18 to the non-skin facing surface side of the front pad 2, and is easily contacted with the indicator 8. Since the excrement absorbed in the absorbent body 14 is easily contacted with the indicator 8, the indicator 8 can detect the presence or absence of excrement by the wearer with higher sensitivity, and the wearer, or the childcare provider or caregiver of the wearer, can more easily recognize whether the wearer has excremented.

[0051] The slit portion 18 may penetrate the absorbent body 14 in the thickness direction (see FIG. 3), or may be a recess having a bottom. When the slit portion 18 is a recess, the slit portion 18 may be recessed on either the skin-facing side or the non-skin-facing side. The slit portion 18 does not necessarily have to penetrate the core wrap sheet 14b, and the core wrap sheet 14b may be present at one end or both ends of the slit portion 18 in the thickness direction of the absorbent body 14. For example, the slit portion 18 may be composed of a through slit penetrating the absorbent core 14a and the core wrap sheet 14b covering the openings on both sides of the through slit, or may be composed of a recess formed in the absorbent core 14a and the core wrap sheet 14b covering the opening of the recess.

[0052] In a plan view of the front pad 2, the indicator 8 and the slit portion 18 may completely overlap, or may only partially overlap. From the viewpoint of making it easier for the excrement absorbed in the absorber 14 to pass through the slit portion 18 and come into contact with the indicator 8, it is preferable that both side edges of the slit portion 18 are positioned outward from both side edges of the indicator 8 in the horizontal direction Y, as shown in Fig. 2. From the same viewpoint, it is also preferable that the indicator 8 extends from the slit portion 18 in the vertical direction X, as shown in Fig. 2.

[0053] In this embodiment, the rear pad 3 has a second indicia 9 on the non-skin facing surface of the crotch portion C, as shown in Figs. 7 and 9. The second indicia 9 may be a design such as letters, figures, pictures, symbols, designs, patterns, embroidery, etc. The second indicia 9 may be the same design as the first indicia 7, or may be a different design. In this embodiment, the second indicia 9 is a different design from the first indicia 7.

[0054] In this embodiment, when the engaging member 17c is engaged with the non-skin facing surface of the front pad 2 so that the second marking 9 is located near the first marking 7, the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3 are connected in a state where parts of the crotch parts C overlap each other. By doing so, when the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3 are connected, the positional relationship between the second marking 9 and the first marking 7 can be used as a guide to determine the degree of overlap of the crotch parts C of the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3, so that the diaper 1 can be worn in a state where it fits the wearer's body more easily. In this embodiment, the second marking 9 is disposed at the end of the crotch part C of the rear pad 3. Two second marks 9 are arranged side by side in the lateral direction Y. In this embodiment, the engaging member 17c is engaged with the non-skin facing surface of the front pad 2 so that the two second marks 9 are located near the first marks 7 located on both sides of the indicator 8.

[0055] In the diaper 1, it is preferable that the overlap amount L1 between the crotch portion C of the front pad 2 and the crotch portion C of the rear pad 3 does not exceed 80% of the length L of the front pad 2 in the longitudinal direction X. This prevents the diaper 1 from becoming too tight in the crotch region of the wearer when the diaper 1 is worn. From the viewpoint of achieving this effect more significantly, the overlap amount L1 is preferably 80% or less, more preferably 77% or less, and even more preferably 75% or less of the length L of the front pad 2 in the longitudinal direction X. Moreover, from the viewpoint of preventing the diaper 1 from becoming too long in the crotch region of the wearer, it is preferable that the overlap amount L1 is large. From the viewpoint of achieving this effect more significantly, the overlap amount L1 is preferably 30% or more, more preferably 32% or more, and even more preferably 35% or more of the length L of the front pad 2 in the longitudinal direction X. From the viewpoint of achieving both of these, the overlap amount L1 is preferably 30% or more and 80% or less, more preferably 32% or more and 77% or less, and even more preferably 35% or more and 75% or less, of the length L of the front pad 2 in the longitudinal direction X.

[0056] In this embodiment, as described above, the entire non-skin facing surface of the front pad 2 is the engaged area with which the engaging member 17c can be engaged. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 11, a part of the non-skin facing surface of the front pad 2 may be the engaged area R with which the engaging member 17c can be engaged. The first marking 7 is preferably disposed within the engaged area R. For convenience of explanation, the first marking 7 is omitted in FIG. 11. In the example shown in FIG. 11, when the front pad 2 is viewed along the vertical direction X, an end of the front pad 2 on the crotch part C side is one end, and an end opposite to the crotch part C is the other end. In this example, the end Ra of the front pad 2 on the one end side in the engaged area R does not reach the one end 2a of the front pad 2, and the end Rb of the front pad 2 on the other end side in the engaged area R does not reach the other end 2b of the front pad 2.

[0057] The distance La (see FIG. 11) in the longitudinal direction X from one end 2a of the front pad 2 to one end Ra of the engaged region R is preferably 25% or more, more preferably 30% or more, and even more preferably 35% or more of the length L (see FIG. 11) of the front pad 2 in the longitudinal direction X, from the viewpoint of preventing the diaper 1 from becoming loose in the crotch region of the wearer when the diaper 1 is worn. Moreover, from the viewpoint of preventing the diaper 1 from becoming tight in the crotch region of the wearer when the diaper 1 is worn, the distance La is preferably 55% or less, more preferably 50% or less, and even more preferably 45% or less of the length L of the front pad 2 in the longitudinal direction X. From the viewpoint of achieving both of these, the distance La is preferably 25% or more and 45% or less, more preferably 30% or more and 50% or less, and even more preferably 35% or more and 55% or less of the length L of the front pad 2 in the longitudinal direction X.

[0058] The distance Lb (see FIG. 11) in the longitudinal direction X from the other end 2b of the front pad 2 to the other end Rb of the engaged region R is preferably 15% or more, more preferably 20% or more, and even more preferably 25% or more of the length L of the front pad 2 in the longitudinal direction X, from the viewpoint of preventing the diaper 1 from becoming too tight in the crotch region of the wearer when the diaper 1 is worn. Moreover, from the viewpoint of preventing the diaper 1 from becoming too loose in the crotch region of the wearer when the diaper 1 is worn, the distance Lb is preferably 45% or less, more preferably 40% or less, and even more preferably 35% or less of the length L of the front pad 2 in the longitudinal direction X. From the viewpoint of achieving both of these, the distance Lb is preferably 15% or more and 45% or less, more preferably 20% or more and 40% or less, and even more preferably 25% or more and 35% or less of the length L of the front pad 2 in the longitudinal direction X.

[0059] It is also preferable that the diaper 1 can be worn at a constant wearing pressure when worn by a plurality of wearers having different body types. Specifically, it is preferable that the diaper 1 can be worn at a wearing pressure of 0.7 kPa or more and 1.6 kPa or less for both the first average body type and the second average body type described below. The first average body type means a body type that falls in the former period when the weight range for each diaper size is divided into an earlier period and a later period, and the second average body type means a body type that falls in the latter period when the weight range for each diaper size is divided into an earlier period and a later period. The earlier period is assumed to be for wearers who are younger in months or years than the later period.

[0060] The mounting pressure can be measured by the following method. <How to measure the wearing pressure> First, an air pack with a diameter of 15 mm is used and set so that the center of the air pack is located at the designated measurement part of the static model. Then, after the static model wears the diaper 1, the attachment pressure at the designated measurement part is measured using an attachment pressure measuring device (a contact pressure measuring device (AMI3037-2) manufactured by AMI Techno Co., Ltd.). Measurements are taken at five points, and the average value is taken as the measured value. The static model is a waist model that imitates the lower part of a young baby from the waist down, and has waist circumferences corresponding to the first average body type and the second average body type.

[0061] Further, in this embodiment, only one engaging member 17c is provided, but instead, as shown in Fig. 12, a plurality of engaging members 17c may be provided. A plurality of engaging members 17c may be provided in the longitudinal direction X (see Fig. 12(a)), or a plurality of engaging members 17c may be provided in the lateral direction Y (see Fig. 12(b)). From the viewpoint of easily adjusting the engaging position of the engaging member 17c of the rear pad 3 in the longitudinal direction of the non-skin-facing surface of the front pad 2 and making it easier to wear the diaper 1 in a state where it fits the wearer's body, it is preferable that a plurality of engaging members 17c are provided in the longitudinal direction X.

[0062] In this embodiment, the engaging member 17c has a rectangular shape in a plan view, but the shape of the engaging member 17c in a plan view is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 12(c), the engaging member 17c may have a trapezoidal shape in a plan view. When the shape of the engaging member 17c in a plan view is a trapezoidal shape, either of the two end edges in the vertical direction X and either of the two end edges in the horizontal direction Y of the engaging member 17c may be two parallel sides. When the two end edges in the horizontal direction Y of the engaging member 17c are two parallel sides, either of the two end edges may be a long side having a relatively long length. When the two end edges in the vertical direction X of the engaging member 17c are two parallel sides, either of the two end edges may be a long side having a relatively long length. In order to prevent discomfort caused by both ends of the engagement member 17c in the lateral direction Y coming into contact with the wearer's legs when the wearer closes the legs while wearing the diaper 1, it is preferable that the edge of the engagement member 17c on the longitudinal outer side is a relatively short side and the edge of the engagement member 17c on the longitudinal inner side is a relatively long side, as shown in Fig. 12(c). The longitudinal inner edge of the engagement member 17c means the edge of the engagement member 17c on the longitudinal lower side of the rear pad 3, in other words, the edge of the engagement member 17c on the crotch side. The longitudinal outer edge of the engagement member 17c means the edge of the engagement member 17c on the longitudinal upper side of the rear pad 3.

[0063] Next, a diaper according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described. The second embodiment will be described mainly with respect to differences from the first embodiment described above. For points not specifically described, the description of the first embodiment described above will be applied as appropriate. The diaper of the second embodiment differs from the diaper 1 of the first embodiment in the configuration of the front pad 2. Fig. 13 shows a front pad 2B of the diaper of the second embodiment.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 13, the thickness of the front pad 2B varies in the lateral direction Y. Specifically, the thickness K1 of the central portion 2C of the front pad 2B in the lateral direction Y is greater than the thickness K3 of the side portion 2E in the lateral direction Y. Here, the central portion 2C of the front pad 2B in the lateral direction Y is the central portion when the front pad 2B is divided into three equal parts in the lateral direction Y, and the side portions 2E of the front pad 2B in the lateral direction Y are the portions located on both sides of the central portion. In this embodiment, the thickness K1 of the central portion 2C of the front pad 2B means the thickness K1 of the thickest portion in the central portion 2C. Also, the thickness K3 of the side portion 2E of the front pad 2B means the thickness K3 of the thinnest portion in the side portion 2E. In the second embodiment, the thickness of the absorbent body 14 changes in the lateral direction Y.

[0065] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the absorbent body 14 has a two-layer structure. Specifically, the absorbent body 14 is composed of an upper absorbent body 15 and a lower absorbent body 16 arranged on the non-skin-facing surface side of the upper absorbent body 15. The upper absorbent body 15 has a shorter length in the lateral direction Y than the lower absorbent body 16. The upper absorbent body 15 and the lower absorbent body 16 are stacked with their centers in the lateral direction Y coinciding. Thus, in the second embodiment, the absorbent body 14 has a central portion 14C in the lateral direction Y that is thicker than the thickness P2 of the side portions 14E in the lateral direction Y. Here, the central portion 14C in the lateral direction Y of the absorbent body 14 refers to two regions that exist in the center when the absorbent body 14 is divided into four equal parts in the lateral direction Y, and the side portions 14E in the lateral direction Y of the absorbent body 14 refer to the portions located on both sides of the central portion. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the central portion 14C of the absorbent body 14 is a portion where the upper absorbent body 15 and the lower absorbent body 16 are laminated, and the side portion 14E of the absorbent body 14 is a portion consisting of only the lower absorbent body 16.

[0066] In the second embodiment, the length W1 in the lateral direction Y of the central portion 2C of the front pad 2B is shorter than the length W2 in the lateral direction Y of the engaging member 17c of the rear pad 3. This makes it possible to reduce the engaging force of the region in the rear pad 3 where the engaging member 17c is present, compared to the engaging force of the region in the front pad 2B where the central portion 2C is present, when the engaging member 17c is engaged with the non-skin-facing surface of the front pad 2B, so that the engaging member 17c engaged with the non-skin-facing surface of the front pad 2B can be easily peeled off. From the viewpoint of achieving this effect more significantly, it is preferable that the length W3 in the lateral direction Y of the central portion 14C of the absorber 14 is shorter than the length M2 in the lateral direction Y of the engaging member 17c.

[0067] The ratio W1 / W2 of the length W1 to the length W2 is preferably 0.90 or less, more preferably 0.85 or less, and even more preferably 0.80 or less, from the viewpoint of making it easier to peel off the engaging member 17c engaged with the non-skin facing surface of the front pad 2B. Also, from the viewpoint of preventing the engaging member 17c from naturally peeling off from the non-skin facing surface of the front pad 2B and releasing the connected state, the ratio W1 / W2 is preferably 0.40 or more, more preferably 0.45 or more, and even more preferably 0.50 or more. From the viewpoint of achieving both of these, the ratio W1 / W2 is preferably 0.40 or more and 0.90 or less, more preferably 0.45 or more and 0.85 or less, and even more preferably 0.50 or more and 0.80 or less.

[0068] The ratio W3 / W2 of the length W3 to the length W2 is preferably 0.85 or less, more preferably 0.80 or less, and even more preferably 0.75 or less, from the viewpoint of making it easier to peel off the engaging member 17c engaged with the non-skin facing surface of the front pad 2B. Also, from the viewpoint of preventing the engaging member 17c from naturally peeling off from the non-skin facing surface of the front pad 2B and releasing the connected state, the ratio W3 / W2 is preferably 0.40 or more, more preferably 0.45 or more, and even more preferably 0.50 or more. From the viewpoint of achieving both of these, the ratio W3 / W2 is preferably 0.40 or more and 0.85 or less, more preferably 0.45 or more and 0.80 or less, and even more preferably 0.50 or more and 0.75 or less.

[0069] In the second embodiment, as described above, the thickness of the front pad 2B varies in the lateral direction Y. In the front pad 2B of the second embodiment, the thickness is decreased in the order of the region S1 overlapping with the central portion 14C of the absorbent body 14, the region S2 overlapping with the side portion 14E of the absorbent body 14, and the region S3 positioned outward in the lateral direction Y from the side portion 14E of the absorbent body 14. In the second embodiment, as shown in Fig. 14, it is preferable that the engaging member 17c does not reach the region S3 of the front pad 2B when the front pad 2B and the rear pad 3 are connected with parts of the crotch portion C overlapping each other. This makes it easy to grip the side edge of the crotch portion end of the rear pad 3 with the fingers when releasing the connection between the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3 in the crotch region of the wearer, so that the engaging member 17c engaged with the non-skin-facing surface of the front pad 2B can be easily peeled off. From the viewpoint of achieving this effect more significantly, it is more preferable that the engaging member 17c does not reach the region S2 of the front pad 2B when the front pad 2B and the rear pad 3 are connected with parts of the crotch portion C overlapping each other.

[0070] Next, the materials used to form each part of the diaper 1 will be described. As the sheet materials used for the exterior sheet 13, the cuff forming sheet 50, the crotch horizontal stretchable portion forming sheet 17b, the waist portion forming sheet 28b, and the waist belt 38, various known materials used in this type of absorbent article can be used without any particular restrictions. For example, these sheets can be made of nonwoven fabrics produced by various manufacturing methods, such as spunbond nonwoven fabrics, air-through nonwoven fabrics, and needle punch nonwoven fabrics. As the top sheet 11, various types of nonwoven fabrics, perforated films, etc. can be used, and as the leak-proof sheet 12, various types of nonwoven fabrics, resin films, laminates of resin films and nonwoven fabrics, etc. can be used.

[0071] As each elastic member such as the longitudinal elastic members including the cuff elastic members 6a and the leg elastic members 5a, the transverse elastic members 28a, the crotch transverse elastic members 17a, the panel elastic members 40a, etc., elastic materials such as natural rubber, polyurethane resin, urethane foam resin, and hot melt elastic members formed into a thread shape (rubber thread) or a strip shape (flat rubber) are preferably used.

[0072] The absorbent core 14a of the absorbent body 14 is formed from a core-forming material such as hydrophilic fibers such as cellulose including pulp, water-absorbent polymer, etc. The absorbent core 14a is composed of, for example, a pile of hydrophilic fibers, a mixed pile of the hydrophilic fibers and a water-absorbent polymer, a pile of water-absorbent polymer, a laminated structure in which a water-absorbent polymer is supported between two absorbent sheets, etc. The core wrap sheet 14b may be, for example, tissue paper made of hydrophilic fibers or liquid-permeable nonwoven fabric.

[0073] In this embodiment, a mechanical hook-and-loop fastener is used as a fastening structure for fastening the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3 to each other. The "mechanical hook-and-loop fastener" here refers to a fastener that is a set of a surface member (male member) on one side of which a hook material (engagement member) consisting of hook-shaped protrusions is arranged, and a surface member (female member) on one side of which a loop material consisting of pile-shaped protrusions is arranged. A specific example of a mechanical hook-and-loop fastener is Magic Tape (registered trademark). Specifically, in this embodiment, the fastening portions 29c, 29s, 29s and the engaging member 17c provided on the front waistband 28 have male components of a mechanical hook-and-loop fastener, and typically have a configuration in which a number of the hook materials are arranged on the surface of a base material made of a resin film, woven fabric, nonwoven fabric or the like. In this embodiment, the exterior sheet 13 forming the non-skin facing surface of the front pad 2 and the sheet forming the non-skin facing surface of the waist belt 38 have a female member of a mechanical hook-and-loop fastener. The material of the female member may be, for example, a sheet member having a loop portion or a net portion fixed to a base material, or a nonwoven fabric having good interlocking properties. In the diaper 1 of this embodiment, the member provided with the male member and the member provided with the female member fastened to the male member may be reversed unless there is a particular contradiction.

[0074] Furthermore, although the front pad 2 in this embodiment includes the leakproof sheet 12 and the exterior sheet 13, the front pad 2 does not have to include the exterior sheet 13. In this case, the non-skin facing surface of the front pad 2 is formed by the leakproof sheet 12. When the leakproof sheet 12 forms the non-skin facing surface of the front pad 2, it is preferable that the leakproof sheet 12 is made of or contains a nonwoven fabric that has been treated to be water repellent. As such a nonwoven fabric, for example, one in which a water repellent agent has been applied to the constituent fibers of the nonwoven fabric can be used.

[0075] 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 diaper 1 in the above-mentioned embodiment is composed of two parts, the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3, but the waist belt 38 of the rear pad 3 may be replaced with a holder arranged around the waist of the wearer, and may be composed of three parts including both pads 2, 3 and the holder. In this case, the holder is worn in a ring shape around the waist of the wearer and holds both pads 2, 3 in a state where they are worn on the wearer. The holder also has a ventral side part arranged on the ventral side (front side) of the wearer and a dorsal side part arranged on the dorsal side (rear side) of the wearer, and is provided with a holder main body part that constitutes the main part of the holder. The holder main body part is mainly composed of a sheet-like member such as a nonwoven fabric, and is typically composed of a laminated structure including an outer layer sheet that forms the non-skin-facing surface (outer surface) of the holder main body part and an inner layer sheet that forms the skin-facing surface (inner surface) of the holder main body part. The holder is annular in shape, with both longitudinal ends of the holder body of each of the ventral and dorsal parts joined together by known joining means such as fusion or adhesive, and has a pair of joining parts joining the ventral and dorsal parts, and a waist opening WH. The joining parts correspond to the side seal parts of a typical non-separate type (one part) pants-type disposable diaper. The holder body of each of the ventral and dorsal parts has a plurality of elastic members arranged intermittently in the vertical direction so as to be stretchable in the circumferential direction, thereby making the holder stretchable in the circumferential direction. A holder-side fastening structure (male or female member of a mechanical hook-and-loop fastener) is arranged on the non-skin-facing surface (outer surface) of the holder body, and by fastening pad-side fastening structures (male or female member of a mechanical hook-and-loop fastener) provided on the upper ends of the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3 to the holder-side fastening structure, both pads 2 and 3 can be detachably fastened to the holder.

[0076] The holder may be of a belt type instead of having a pair of joints joining the ventral and dorsal parts. In this case, the holder can be opened in one direction by being cut off at a position corresponding to one of the joints. In the opened state, the fastening structure can be provided on one end of the longitudinal direction of the skin-facing surface of the holder and on the non-skin-facing surface of the holder, so that the one end and the non-skin-facing surface can be detachably fastened to each other, and the opened state holder can be made into a ring shape.

[0077] The holder having the above-mentioned joint and the belt-type holder may each have a central extension part in which the central part in the lateral direction Y of the back side part partially hangs down and extends to the crotch region C of the rear pad 3. In this case, the central extension part is formed by the outer layer sheet and the inner layer sheet forming the holder main body part. In the worn state, the central extension part is arranged on the non-skin facing surface side of the rear pad 3 and covers the outer surface of the pad 3. The skin facing surface of the tip part of the central extension part and the non-skin facing surface of the crotch region C of the rear pad 3 are provided with a fastening structure for detachably fastening them, and the fastening structure fixes the central extension part to the non-skin facing surface of the rear pad 3.

[0078] The central extension may extend beyond the crotch region C of the rear pad 3, cover the non-skin facing surface of the front pad 2, and extend to the abdominal part of the holder. In this case, the non-skin facing surfaces of both the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3 are covered by the central extension. When the extension extends to the abdominal part of the holder, the extension and the abdominal part can be detachably fastened to each other by a fastening structure provided on the tip of the skin facing surface of the extension and the non-skin facing surface of the abdominal part of the holder.

[0079] The engaging member 17c may be made of an adhesive. For example, the engaging member 17c may be formed by applying an adhesive to the skin-facing surface of the crotch portion C of the rear pad 3. The engaging member 17c may be either a male member or a female member of a point fastener, and a plurality of engaged members, which are the other of the male member and the female member of the point fastener that can be engaged with the engaging member 17c, may be arranged side by side in the vertical direction X on the non-skin facing surface of the front pad 2. Examples of point fasteners include snap buttons.

[0080] In relation to the above-mentioned embodiment of the present invention, the following absorbent article is further disclosed. <1> A vertical direction corresponds to the front-to-back direction of a wearer, and a horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, An absorbent article having a front pad to be placed on the abdomen side of a wearer and a rear pad to be placed on the back side of the wearer, the front pad and the rear pad being connected in a crotch region of the wearer and usable, The front pad and the rear pad have a crotch portion disposed in the crotch region, The front pad and the rear pad can be connected in a state where parts of the crotch portion are overlapped with each other, and the amount of overlap in the vertical direction can be adjusted to be increased or decreased. an engaging member engageable with a non-skin-facing surface of the front pad on a skin-facing surface of the crotch portion of the rear pad, and the engaging member can be engaged with a desired position in the vertical direction of the non-skin-facing surface of the front pad; an absorbent article, wherein a first marking serving as an indication of the amount of overlap is provided on a non-skin-facing surface side of the crotch portion of the front pad;

[0081] <2> The first display is a plurality of displays arranged intermittently in the vertical direction. <1> An absorbent article as described above. <3> The first indication is a character, a figure, a picture, a symbol, a design, a pattern, or an embroidery design, <1> or <2> An absorbent article as described above. <4> The front pad is provided with an indicator that indicates urination by changing color, A plurality of first displays are intermittently arranged in the vertical direction on both sides of the indicator, Among the plurality of first displays, the first displays that are located at the same position in the vertical direction have the same design. <1> ~The above <3> 13. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 12. <5> The plurality of first indications are the same pattern. <1> ~The above <4> 13. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 12. <6> Among the plurality of first displays, the first displays arranged vertically have different designs. <1> ~The above <4> 13. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

[0082] <7> A second indicia is attached to the non-skin facing surface side of the crotch portion of the rear pad, When the engaging member is engaged with the non-skin-facing surface of the front pad such that the second marking is located in the vicinity of the first marking, the front pad and the rear pad are connected together with parts of the crotch portion overlapping each other. <1> ~The above <6> 13. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 12. <8> The second indication is a character, a figure, a picture, a symbol, a design, a pattern, or an embroidery design, <7> An absorbent article as described above. <9> The second display is a different design from the first display, <7> or the above <8> An absorbent article as described above. <10> The second mark is the same design as the first mark. <7> or the above <8> An absorbent article as described above.

[0083] <11> The front pad is provided with an indicator that indicates urination by changing color, When the engaging member of the rear pad is engaged with the non-skin facing surface of the front pad to connect the front pad and the rear pad with parts of the crotch portions overlapping each other, at least a part of the indicator is covered by the rear pad. <1> ~The above <10> 13. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 12. <12> The front pad includes a liquid-retaining absorbent body having a slit formed therein and an indicator that indicates urination by changing color, The indicator and the slit portion overlap in the thickness direction of the front pad. <11> An absorbent article as described above.

[0084] <13> The front pad has a central portion having a thickness in the lateral direction that is greater than a side portion of the central portion in the lateral direction, the length of the engagement member in the lateral direction is longer than the length of the central portion of the front pad in the lateral direction; <1> ~The above <12> 13. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 12. <14> The front pad includes an absorbent body having a two-layer structure, The absorbent body has a thickness in the central portion in the lateral direction that is greater than a thickness in the side portions in the lateral direction, The length of the engaging member in the lateral direction is longer than the length of the central portion of the absorbent body in the lateral direction. <1> ~The above <13> 13. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 12. <15> the front pad has a thickness decreasing in the order of a region overlapping the central portion of the absorbent body, a region overlapping the side portion of the absorbent body, and a region positioned outward in the lateral direction from the side portion of the absorbent body; a length of the engaging member in the lateral direction is longer than a length of a region of the absorbent body overlapping with the central portion in the lateral direction; When the front pad and the rear pad are connected in a state where parts of the crotch portion are overlapped with each other, the engaging member does not reach outward in the lateral direction beyond the side portion of the absorbent body in the front pad. <14> An absorbent article as described above.

[0085] <16> The engaging members are provided in a plurality in the vertical direction. <1> ~The above <15> 13. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 12. <17> The engaging member has a trapezoidal shape in plan view with two parallel sides at both ends in the vertical direction, the outer edge in the vertical direction being a short side having a relatively short length, and the inner edge in the vertical direction being a long side having a relatively long length. <1> ~The above <16> 13. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 12. <18> The engaging member is made of an adhesive. <1> ~The above <17> 13. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 12. <19> The engaging member is either a male member or a female member of a fastener, A plurality of fasteners, each of which is a male member and a female member that can be engaged with the engaging member, are arranged in the vertical direction on the non-skin facing surface of the front pad. <1> ~The above <17> 13. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

[0086] <20> The front pad includes an absorbent body and a front waist portion disposed at an upper end of the absorbent body. <1> ~The above <19> 13. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 12. <21> The front waist portion is disposed on the skin-facing surface side of the front absorbent main body. <20> An absorbent article as described above. <22> The front pad 2 has a crotch horizontal stretchable portion disposed at the lower end of the absorbent body. <20> or the above <21> An absorbent article as described above. <23> The front waist portion includes two sheets and an elastic member fixed in a stretched state between the sheets, The elastic members extend in the horizontal direction and are arranged intermittently in the vertical direction. <20> ~The above <22> 13. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 12. <24> The front waist portion has the elastic member on each of both lateral sides and does not have the elastic member in the lateral center portion. <20> ~The above <23> 13. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 12. <25> The front waist portion has a central fastening portion at a lateral center of the sheet on the skin-facing side and side fastening portions at both lateral sides. <20> ~The above <24> 13. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

[0087] <26> The rear pad includes an absorbent body and a waist belt disposed at an upper end of the rear pad. <1> ~The above <25> 13. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 12. <27> The waist belt is disposed on the skin-facing surface side of the absorbent body of the rear pad. <26> An absorbent article as described above. <28> The waist belt comprises a central sheet portion located in the lateral center of the belt and extending in the lateral direction, a pair of stretch panels arranged on both lateral sides of the central sheet portion, a connecting and fastening sheet portion provided laterally outward of one of the stretch panels, and a connecting and fastening sheet portion provided laterally outward of the other stretch panel. <26> or the above <27> An absorbent article as described above. <29> The connecting and fastening sheet portion has a fastening portion having a male member of a mechanical hook-and-loop fastener at a lateral outer end portion of the skin-facing surface. <28> An absorbent article as described above. <30> The front pad has a front waist part at an upper end of the front pad, the front waist part has a central fastening part between the waistline transverse elastic members located on both sides of the front waist part, and has a pair of side fastening parts laterally outward of the waistline transverse elastic members, the rear pad has a crotch fastening portion on a skin facing surface of the crotch region that fastens to a skin facing surface of the front pad in the crotch region, The waist belt of the rear pad is wrapped around the waist of the wearer, and the fastening portion of the connecting fastening sheet portion is fastened to the connecting fastened sheet portion on the abdominal side of the wearer, thereby wearing the circular waist belt around the waist of the wearer, The central fastening portion and the side fastening portion of the front pad are fastened to the non-skin facing surface of the waist belt worn around the waist, and then the crotch fastening portion of the rear pad is fastened to the non-skin facing surface of the front pad, and the front pad and the rear pad are connected at their upper end and lower end, respectively, and worn on the body of the wearer. <29> An absorbent article as described above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 1. Disposable diapers (diapers) 2 Front pad 3 Rear pad 5 Leg Cuffs 5a Leg elastic member 5s outer elastic part 6 Three-dimensional cuff 6a Cuff elastic member 6s Standing telescopic part 6t non-erecting telescopic part 7 1st display 8. Indicators 9 2nd display 50 Cuff forming sheet 11 Surface sheet 12 Leak-proof sheet 13 Exterior sheet 14 Absorber 14a absorbent core 14b Core wrap sheet 17 Inseam horizontal elastic part 17a Crotch elastic member 17b Sheet forming the crotch horizontal stretch part 17c Engagement member 20 Front absorbent body 30 Rear absorbent body 28 Front waist 28a Transverse elastic member 28b Waist forming sheet 29c Center fastening part 29s Side fastening 38 Waist Belt 39 Center seat section 40 Extendable Panel 40a Panel elastic member 41 Connecting and fastening sheet part 42 Connecting fastening sheet part 42a Fastening part C Inseam area LO Leg Opening WE Waist opening end WO Waist opening R Adhesive area X vertical direction Y Horizontal

Claims

1. It has a vertical direction corresponding to the wearer's front-to-back direction and a horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, An absorbent article having a front pad positioned on the wearer's abdominal side and a rear pad positioned on the wearer's back, and which can be used with both pads connected in the wearer's crotch area, The front pad and the rear pad have an inseam portion that is positioned in the crotch area. The front pad and the rear pad can be connected with a portion of the crotch area overlapping, and the amount of overlap in the vertical direction can be increased or decreased while connecting them. An engaging member is provided on the skin-facing surface of the rear pad in the crotch area, which is capable of engaging with the non-skin-facing surface of the front pad, and the engaging member can be engaged with a desired position in the longitudinal direction on the non-skin-facing surface of the front pad. An absorbent article having a first marking, which serves as an indicator of the amount of overlap, on the non-skin-facing side of the crotch area of ​​the front pad.

2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the first display is arranged intermittently in the vertical direction in multiple locations.

3. The aforementioned front pad is equipped with an indicator that signals urination by changing color. On each side of the aforementioned indicator, multiple first displays are intermittently arranged in the vertical direction. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein among a plurality of first displays, first displays that are in the same vertical position have the same design.

4. A second marking is provided on the non-skin-facing side of the crotch area of ​​the rear pad. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the engaging member is engaged with the non-skin-facing surface of the front pad such that the second marking is located near the first marking, the front pad and the rear pad are connected in a state where parts of the crotch area overlap each other.

5. The aforementioned front pad is equipped with an indicator that signals urination by changing color. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the engaging member of the rear pad is engaged with the non-skin-facing surface of the front pad, and when the front pad and the rear pad are connected with their respective crotch areas overlapping, at least a portion of the indicator is covered by the rear pad.

6. The aforementioned front pad comprises a liquid-retaining absorbent material with a slit portion and an indicator that signals urination by changing color. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the indicator and the slit portion overlap in the thickness direction of the front pad.

7. The aforementioned front pad has a thickness in the central part in the lateral direction that is greater than the thickness in the side part in the lateral direction. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the length of the engaging member in the lateral direction is longer than the length of the central portion of the front pad in the lateral direction.

8. The aforementioned front pad is equipped with an absorbent material having a two-layer structure. The absorbent material has a thickness in the central part in the lateral direction that is greater than the thickness in the side part in the lateral direction. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the length of the engaging member in the lateral direction is longer than the length of the central portion of the absorbent body in the lateral direction.

9. The front pad has a thickness that decreases in the following order: the region overlapping with the central part of the absorbent, the region overlapping with the side of the absorbent, and the region located laterally outward from the side of the absorbent. The length of the engaging member in the lateral direction is longer than the length of the region in the lateral direction that overlaps with the central part of the absorber. The absorbent article according to claim 8, wherein when the front pad and the rear pad are connected with their respective crotch portions overlapped, the engaging member is configured not to extend laterally outward beyond the side portion of the absorbent material in the front pad.

10. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the engaging members are provided in multiple locations in the vertical direction.

11. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the engaging member has a trapezoidal shape in plan view, with two parallel sides at both ends in the vertical direction, the outer edge in the vertical direction being the shorter side with a relatively shorter length, and the inner edge in the vertical direction being the longer side with a relatively longer length.

12. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the engaging member is made of an adhesive.

13. The engaging member is either the male or female member of the point fastener. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of male and female members of a point fastener, which can engage with the engaging member, are arranged in the longitudinal direction on the non-skin-facing surface of the front pad.

Images