Absorbent article including front pad and rear pad

Abstract

To provide an absorbent article allowing a wearer to excrete outside the absorbent article, while suppressing contact of an excretory substance such as urine with both pads in a separated state where a front pad and a rear pad are separated.SOLUTION: A diaper 1 includes a front pad 2 to be disposed on a ventral side of a wearer, and a rear pad 3 to be disposed on a dorsal side of the wearer, and is usable, with both pads 2 and 3 connected at a crotch area C. The diaper 1 includes a longitudinal elastic member 10 stretchable in a longitudinal direction X, disposed on a connecting area BR where the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3 are connected in an overlapping state. While maintaining the fitted state around the wearer's waist, the diaper 1 enables the following (1) and (2): (1) the front pad and the rear pad are separable in the crotch area, and (2) the front pad is completely removable from the rear pad.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] The absorbent articles disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 4 can be separated into front and rear parts at the crotch region located in the crotch area of ​​the wearer. This separable configuration is effective in that the wearer can excrete outside the absorbent article in a toilet while still wearing the absorbent article. However, if urine comes into contact with the absorbent article when excreting outside the absorbent article, the absorbent article must be replaced. This is undesirable in terms of the effort required for replacement and the amount of absorbent article that is discarded.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article which, when the front and rear pads of the absorbent article are separated, allows excrement such as urine to be excreted outside the absorbent article while preventing either pad from coming into contact with the other pad. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention has a vertical direction corresponding to the front-to-back direction of a wearer and a horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, The present invention relates to an absorbent article which has a front pad to be placed on the wearer's stomach side and a rear pad to be placed on the wearer's back side, and which can be used with both pads connected in the crotch region located in the wearer's crotch area. In one embodiment, a longitudinal elastic member that stretches in the longitudinal direction is preferably disposed in a connecting region where the front pad and the rear pad are connected in an overlapping state. As one embodiment, it is preferable that the following (1) and (2) are possible while maintaining a state of attachment around the wearer's waist. (1) The front pad and the rear pad are separable in the crotch region. (2) The front pad is completely removable from the rear pad. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the absorbent article of the present invention, when the front pad and the rear pad are separated, excrement such as urine can be excreted outside the absorbent article while preventing contact of either pad with the front pad and the rear pad. Furthermore, when only the front pad or the rear pad is soiled with excrement, it is possible to replace only the soiled pad, which further reduces the effort required for replacing absorbent articles and the amount of waste. [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 skin-facing surface side of the rear pad shown in FIG. 1 in a maximum stretched state. [Figure 6] 6(a) to 6(c) are perspective views showing the wearing operation of the absorbent article shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a plan view in an unfolded and maximum extended state illustrating a connection region when the front pad and the rear pad shown in FIG. 1 are connected so that the total length of the pad becomes the maximum length. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a plan view in an unfolded and maximum extended state illustrating a connection region when the front pad and the rear pad shown in FIG. 1 are connected so that the total length of the pad becomes the minimum length. [Figure 9]Figure 9(a) is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the disposable diaper shown in Figure 1 when worn, and Figure 9(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the front pad and rear pad in the connection region when released. [Figure 10] FIG. 10A is a perspective view of a holder provided in a disposable diaper which is another embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention, and FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view taken along the longitudinal direction of the disposable diaper. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 shows (a) a perspective view of a holder provided in a disposable diaper which is yet another embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention, and (b) a cross-sectional view along the longitudinal direction of the disposable diaper. 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 8 show a disposable diaper 1 (hereinafter, 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 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 arranged 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 pad 2 is the region located at the lowest position when the entire length of the pads 2, 3 in the vertical direction X is divided into three equal regions. The crotch region C of both pads 2, 3 includes the lower end portions of the pads.

[0014] The front pad 2 of this embodiment is shown in Figures 2 to 4. 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 when the article is spread out flat on a flat surface, i.e., with all influence of the elastic members completely eliminated. 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 that stand up against the wearer's skin when the diaper 1 is worn, on both sides along the longitudinal direction X of the absorbent 14 (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 lateral direction Y, and an elastic member 6a (hereinafter also referred to as "cuff elastic member 6a") that is fixed in a stretched state in the longitudinal direction X between the sheets 50, 50. The three-dimensional cuffs 6, 6 have their outer portions in the lateral direction Y joined to other components (such as the top sheet 11) adjacent to the cuff 6 by a known joining means such as an adhesive, while their inner portions in the lateral direction Y are not joined to other components. As a result, the outer end of the three-dimensional cuff 6 in the lateral direction Y serves as a base end, and the inner end in the lateral direction Y serves as a free end, so that the three-dimensional cuff 6 stands up. The three-dimensional cuff 6 may have a folded portion at the standing portion that stands up on the skin-facing side. In this case, the portion between the bent portion and the free end portion may extend outward in the lateral direction Y, or may extend inward in the lateral direction Y. In the former case, the three-dimensional cuff 6 is folded outward at the bent portion in a cross-sectional view along the lateral direction Y of the pad, and in the latter case, the three-dimensional cuff 6 is folded inward at the bent portion in the same cross-sectional view.

[0019] In the three-dimensional cuff 6 of this embodiment, in the maximum stretched state, a plurality of cuff elastic members 6a extending in the vertical direction X are arranged at intervals in the horizontal direction Y. In the non-standing stretchable portion 6t of this embodiment, the cuff elastic members 6a are arranged parallel to each other. This configuration is preferable in that when the connection between the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3 at the connection region BR, which will be described later, is released, the crotch region C of the pad becomes more likely to contract in the vertical direction X, thereby further improving the crotch region contraction effect. The cuff elastic members 6a of this embodiment are also arranged parallel to the leg elastic members 5a, which will be described later.

[0020] 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. As an alternative to the form shown in FIG. 4, the non-standing stretchable portion 6t may have a crotch horizontal stretchable portion 17 disposed on its skin-facing side, and the crotch horizontal stretchable portion 17 may be joined to the front absorbent main body 20, so that the non-standing stretchable portion 6t does not have standing ability.

[0021] 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 FIG. 3), 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, 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] In the front absorbent main body 20 of this embodiment, when viewed in plan from the skin-facing surface 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. In the front pad 2 of this embodiment, the front waist portion 28 and the crotch horizontal stretchable portions 17 extend outward in the lateral direction Y beyond the side flap portions.

[0024] 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, preferably at the end of the crotch region C in the longitudinal direction X, more preferably so that the lower end edge of the crotch horizontal stretchable portion 17 is substantially aligned with the lower end 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 transverse 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 transverse direction Y intermittently in the longitudinal direction X on both sides in the transverse direction Y, while the crotch horizontal elastic member 17a is not provided in the central portion in the transverse 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 portions 17 are wider than the front absorbent main body 20, more specifically, than the leakproof sheet 12. As a result, in the maximum stretched state, the crotch horizontal stretchable portions 17 extend outward in the lateral direction Y beyond the lateral Y outer edges of the leg cuffs 5 (both side edges of the front absorbent main body 20) (see FIG. 2). Alternatively, the crotch horizontal stretchable portions 17 may have the same length in the lateral direction Y as the front absorbent main body 20, and the side edges in the lateral direction Y of the crotch horizontal stretchable portions 17 may be located inward in the lateral direction Y than the front absorbent main body 20.

[0025] 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, while no waistline transverse elastic members 28a are provided 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.

[0026] 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).

[0027] The front waist portion 28 has fastening portions 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 portion 29c between the waist-line transverse elastic members 28a located on both sides, and has a pair of side fastening portions 29s, 29s outward in the lateral direction Y of the waist-line transverse elastic members 28a. These fastening portions 29c, 29s, 29s are arranged on the skin-facing side of the front waist portion 28. The side fastening parts 29s extend in the vertical direction X along both side edges of the waist-circumference part forming sheet 28b, and the central fastening part 29c extends in the horizontal 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 belt 38 of the rear pad 3, which will be described later.

[0028] The front pad 2 has a female member of a mechanical hook-and-loop fastener on the non-skin facing surface. This allows the crotch fastening part 18a of the rear pad 3, which will be described later, to be detachably fastened to the non-skin facing surface of the front pad 2. The material of this female member can be selected according to the shape of the male member of the crotch fastening part 18a. 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 non-woven fabric with good engagement properties.

[0029] The rear pad 3 of this embodiment is shown in Fig. 5. In the maximum extended state, the rear pad 3 has a shape that is long in one direction (the vertical direction X) like the front pad 2. The portion of the rear pad 3 other than the 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 other than the waist belt 38 is aligned with the height direction of the wearer.

[0030] The rear pad 3 comprises an absorbent body 30, a waist belt 38 arranged at the upper end of the absorbent body 30, and a crotch horizontal stretchable part 17 arranged at the lower end of the absorbent body 30. The absorbent body 30 forms the main part 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") partially comprises the same configuration as 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 description thereof is omitted, and components different from the front absorbent main body 20 will be mainly described. For components not particularly described, the description 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".

[0031] 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.

[0032] In addition, when the three-dimensional cuff 6 has a folding portion at the upright portion, the folding direction of the folding portion may be different between the front absorbent body 20 and the rear absorbent body 30. For example, the three-dimensional cuff 6 in the front pad 2 may be folded inward at the folding portion, while the three-dimensional cuff 6 in the rear pad 3 may be folded outward at the folding portion. In this case, the three-dimensional cuff 6 folded inward in the front pad 2 adheres to the skin near the urination area, so that urine can be absorbed more quickly. In addition, the three-dimensional cuff 6 folded outward in the rear pad 3 extends in a direction away from the excretion area, so that a space for accommodating feces can be secured while the free end of the cuff adheres to the skin, and side leakage of feces can be further suppressed.

[0033] In the rear pad 3 of this embodiment, the non-standing stretchable portion 6t has a crotch lateral stretchable portion 17 disposed on its skin-facing side, and the crotch lateral stretchable portion 17 is joined to the rear absorbent body 30, so that it does not have standing up. The crotch lateral stretchable portion 17 covers the skin-facing surface of the lower end (crotch region C) of the rear pad 3 (rear absorbent body 30) and is disposed so as to span between the pair of three-dimensional cuffs 6, 6. The crotch lateral stretchable portion 17 is disposed on the skin-facing side of the top sheet 11 and the non-standing stretchable portion 6t and joined to these components 11, 6t. Other than this, the crotch lateral stretchable portion 17 in the rear pad 3 has the same configuration as the crotch lateral stretchable portion 17 in the front pad 2. Therefore, the description of the crotch lateral stretchable portion 17 in the front pad 2 is appropriately applied to the components not specifically described. In the rear pad 3 , the crotch horizontal stretchable portions 17 may be disposed between the top sheet 11 and the leak-proof sheet 12 .

[0034] The rear pad 3 of this embodiment has a crotch fastening portion 18a disposed at the end of the crotch region C in the longitudinal direction X and at the center in the lateral direction Y of the crotch lateral stretchable portion 17. The crotch fastening portion 18a is disposed on the skin-facing surface side of the crotch horizontal stretchable portion 17, and is located between the crotch horizontal elastic members 17a of the crotch horizontal stretchable portion 17. The crotch fastening portion 18a extends in the horizontal direction Y (see FIG. 3). The crotch fastening portion 18a has a male member of a mechanical hook-and-loop fastener on its skin-facing surface. This allows the rear pad 3 to be detachably fastened to the non-skin-facing surface (exterior sheet 13) of the front pad 2 by the crotch fastening portion 18a.

[0035] The rear pad 3 has a waist belt 38 at its upper end (see FIG. 5). The waist belt 38 has a pair of stretchable panels 40, 40 arranged on both sides in the lateral direction Y at the upper end of the rear absorbent main body 30, a connecting fastening sheet portion 42 provided on the outer side in the lateral direction Y of one of the stretchable panels 40, and a connecting fastened sheet portion 41 provided on the outer side in the lateral direction Y of the other stretchable panel 40. That is, the waist belt 38 shown in FIG. 5 has a stretchable panel 40 to which the connecting fastened sheet portion 41 is connected on the outer side in the lateral direction Y, and a stretchable panel 40 to which the connecting fastening sheet portion 42 is connected in the lateral direction Y. Each of the connecting fastened sheet portion 41, the pair of stretchable panels 40, 40, and the connecting fastening sheet portion 42 is composed 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 body 30 (see FIG. 5). For such joining, known joining means such as hot melt adhesive, heat fusion, or ultrasonic sealing can be used. 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.

[0036] 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. Of the two sheets 40b that the stretchable panel 40 has, at least the sheet 40b that forms the non-skin facing surface is made of a nonwoven fabric with high interlocking properties, similar to the exterior sheet 13. That is, the stretchable panel 40 has a female member of a mechanical hook-and-loop fastener on the non-skin facing surface.

[0037] 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 and a male member of a mechanical hook-and-loop fastener on the skin-facing surface.

[0038] 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 annular. In such an annular state, the non-skin facing surface of each of the pair of stretchable panels 40 has the female member, so that the side fastening portion 29s provided on the front waist portion 28 of the front pad 2 can be detachably fastened. In addition, in the annular state of the waist belt 38, the non-skin facing surface of the connecting fastening sheet portion 42 has the female member, so that the center fastening portion 29c 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 annular 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.

[0039] The rear pad 3 of this embodiment has a central sheet portion 39 located on the skin-facing side of the upper end of the rear absorbent main body 30. The central sheet portion 39 has a fixed portion (not shown) fixed to another component member, and a non-fixed portion (not shown) not fixed to another component member. The "other component member" to which the central sheet portion 39 is fixed is a component member disposed opposite to the central sheet portion 39, such as the topsheet 11 and / or the cuff-forming sheet 50 included in the rear absorbent main body 30. The central sheet portion 39 and the other component members are joined by a known joining means such as an adhesive. The central sheet portion 39 is formed of a fiber sheet such as a nonwoven fabric.

[0040] Fig. 6 shows the operation for putting on the diaper 1 of this embodiment. In the diaper 1 of this embodiment, the waist belt 38 of the rear pad is first 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. 6(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. 6(b)). Next, the crotch fastening portion 18a of the rear pad 3 is fastened to the non-skin facing surface of the front pad 2 (see Fig. 6(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.

[0041] 6, the upper end of the front pad 2 is connected to the upper end of the rear pad 3, which has been fitted around the waist with the waist belt 38, and then the lower end of the rear pad 3 is connected to the lower end of the front pad 2, thereby putting the diaper 1 into a worn state. This type of operation is preferable in that, as will be described later, the position in the vertical direction X of the lower end of the rear pad 3 relative to the lower end of the front pad 2, i.e., the position of the connecting region BR, can be adjusted upward or downward to adjust the overall length of the diaper 1 in the vertical direction X. Alternatively, the waist belt 38 may be fitted around the waist, the lower end of the rear pad 3 is connected to the lower end of the front pad 2, and then the upper end of the front pad 2 is connected to the upper end of the rear pad 3, thereby putting the diaper 1 into a worn state.

[0042] In the diaper 1 of the present embodiment, the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3 can be freely connected and separated by the fastening portion described above, and therefore the environmental load 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 (a part corresponding to the front pad) and a part corresponding to the wearer's back (a part corresponding to the rear pad) are inseparably integrated is disposed of after use, for example, even if the part corresponding to the rear pad is not soiled, it is necessary to dispose of it together with the part corresponding to the front pad soiled with excrement. However, in the diaper 1 of the present embodiment, only the front pad 2 may be replaced with a new one while leaving the rear pad 3 as it is. That is, it is possible to replace only the pad soiled with excrement out of the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3. Therefore, the diaper 1 of the present embodiment reduces the amount of waste disposal and carbon dioxide emissions compared to non-separate type absorbent articles, and can contribute to reducing the environmental load.

[0043] 7 and 8 show the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3 in the maximum stretched state, connected at the crotch region C. The connected state of the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3 will be described in detail. For the sake of convenience in explaining the connected state, the illustrations of the crotch lateral stretchable portions 17 of the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3 are omitted in Figs. 7 and 8, except for the crotch fastening portion 18a of the rear pad 3. When the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3 are connected in the crotch region C, each of the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3 has a connection region BR. The connection region BR is a region where the pads 2, 3 overlap when connected in the crotch region C. In other words, it is a region where one pad overlaps the other pad. More specifically, when the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3 are overlapped and connected, the connection region BR is a region between the lower edge CE2 of the front pad 2 and the lower edge CE3 of the rear pad 3 (see Figures 7 and 8). Hereinafter, the state in which the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3 are connected in the crotch region C will be simply referred to as the "connected state."

[0044] In the diaper 1 of this embodiment, the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3 are overlappingly connected so that, in the connected state, the upper edge of the crotch fastening portion 18a of the rear pad 3 is lower in the vertical direction X than the lower edge CE2 of the front pad 2 (see FIG. 8) or is in the same position in the vertical direction X as the lower edge CE2 of the front pad 2 (see FIG. 7). In the latter case, the pads 2, 3 are connected so that the total length of the pads 2, 3 in the vertical direction X is the maximum length (hereinafter, referred to as the "maximum connected state") (see FIG. 7). That is, in the maximum connected state, the length of the connecting region BR in the vertical direction X is the minimum. To maintain the connected state in the crotch region C more stably, the length L5 of the connecting region BR in the longitudinal direction X (see Figs. 7 and 8) is preferably 30 mm or more and 200 mm or less, more preferably 50 mm or more and 150 mm or less. From the same viewpoint as above, the length L5 (see Figs. 7 and 8) of the connecting region BR in the longitudinal direction X relative to the total length (L2+L3) of the total length L2 (see Fig. 2) of the front pad 2 in the longitudinal direction X and the total length L3 (see Fig. 5) of the rear pad 3 in the longitudinal direction X is preferably 5% or more and 35% or less, more preferably 10% or more and 30% or less. It is also preferable that the length L5 of each connecting region BR in the minimum connecting state and the maximum connecting state is within the above range.

[0045] As described above, the exterior sheet 13 forming the non-skin facing surface of the front pad 2 is a nonwoven fabric with excellent engagement properties. Therefore, in the diaper 1 of this embodiment, the crotch fastening portion 18a can be fastened to the entire area of ​​the exterior sheet 13 in the vertical direction X, but from the viewpoint of ensuring the absorption performance of the rear absorbent main body 30, both pads 2, 3 are overlapped and connected so that the upper edge of the crotch fastening portion 18a of the rear pad 3 is located between the lower end edge CE2 of the front pad 2 and the front waist portion 28 in the vertical direction X. In this embodiment, the minimum connection state is a position where the distance L4 (see FIG. 8) between the upper edge of the crotch fastening portion 18a and the front waist portion 28 in the longitudinal direction X is 30 mm. The minimum connection state is a state where both pads 2, 3 are connected such that the total length in the longitudinal direction X is the minimum length. That is, in the minimum connection state, the length of the connection region BR in the longitudinal direction X is maximum. The diaper 1 shown in FIG. 8 is in the minimum connection state.

[0046] As described above, in the diaper 1 of this embodiment, the pads 2, 3 can be overlapped and connected together so that the total length of the pads 2, 3 in the longitudinal direction X can be changed from the maximum connected state to the minimum connected state. That is, the connection region BR can be expanded or contracted in the longitudinal direction X according to the overlap between the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3 (FIGS. 7 and 8). With this configuration, the pads 2, 3 can be connected together in accordance with the wearer's body size, thereby further improving the fit of the diaper 1. From the viewpoint of facilitating connection according to the size of the body, it is preferable that the front pad 2 is designed so that the length of the connection region BR in the vertical direction X can be adjusted on the non-skin facing surface. For example, the front pad 2 may have a plurality of straight lines extending in the horizontal direction Y on the non-skin facing surface so that the overall length of the diaper 1 is the length of the S size, the M size, or the L size. These straight lines can be used to align the lower edge CE3 of the rear pad 3 when connecting the diapers.

[0047] In the present embodiment, each of the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3 has a longitudinal elastic member 10 arranged in the connecting region BR, the longitudinal elastic member 10 being elastic and stretching in the longitudinal direction X. The longitudinal elastic member 10 is an elastic member arranged in the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3 and stretching in the longitudinal direction X. Examples of the longitudinal elastic member 10 include a cuff elastic member 6a and a leg elastic member 5a. It is sufficient that the longitudinal elastic member is arranged at least partially in the connecting region BR. In the present embodiment, both the cuff elastic member 6a and the leg elastic member 5a are disposed in the connecting region BR of each of the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3 as the vertical elastic member 10 (see Figs. 7 and 8). Alternatively, either one of the cuff elastic member 6a and the leg elastic member 5a may be disposed in the connecting region BR of each of the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3 as the vertical elastic member 10.

[0048] The diaper 1 of the present embodiment is capable of the following (1) and (2) while maintaining a state of being worn around the waist of a wearer. (1) In the crotch region C, the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3 are separable. (2) The front pad 2 is completely removable from the rear pad 3. In the above (1), even if the fastening by the crotch fastening portion 18a of both connected pads 2, 3 is released and the front pad 2 is separated from the rear pad 3 in the crotch region C, the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3 remain attached around the waist of the wearer (see Figure 6(b)). In the above (2), by releasing the fastening parts 29c, 29s and the crotch fastening part 18a of the front waist part 28, the connection with the rear pad 3 is completely released, and the front pad 2 can be removed from the rear pad 3 (see FIG. 6(a)). In this case, the rear pad 3 remains attached around the waist of the wearer by the waist belt 38. The above (1) and (2) relate to the operation of removing the front pad 2 from the rear pad 3 when the diaper 1 is completely or partially released from the worn state. The above (1) and (2) allow only the front pad 2 to be replaced while the rear pad 3 is maintained in a worn state around the waist. That is, when the front pad 2 absorbs urine, only the front pad 2 can be easily replaced. Such replacement is performed by connecting an unused front pad 2 to the upper and lower ends of the worn rear pad 3 (see Figs. 6(b) and (c)), which is very simple. Therefore, the diaper 1 of this embodiment significantly reduces the burden of replacement work compared to conventional non-separate type absorbent articles.

[0049] FIG. 9 shows a schematic view of the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3 of this embodiment in a state where they are connected at the connecting region BR. For convenience of explanation, FIG. 9 shows the vertical elastic member 10 only in the connecting region BR. In the diaper 1 of this embodiment, the vertical elastic member 10 is arranged in the connecting region BR, so that the connecting region BR of the crotch region C is easily contracted in the vertical direction X. Therefore, when the front pad 2 in the connecting region BR is removed from the rear pad 3, that is, when the fastening by the crotch fastening portion 18a is released, the crotch regions C of both the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3 can be contracted upward in the vertical direction X (see FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b)). When the crotch region C contracts in this way, it becomes easy to widely expose the crotch region of the wearer. As a result, when the wearer excretes urine or other waste products outside the diaper 1 in a toilet while the diaper 1 is worn around the waist of the wearer, the waste products are less likely to come into contact with the crotch region C of the front pad 2 or the rear pad 3. That is, both pads 2, 3 are less likely to become soiled. Therefore, the diaper 1 of this embodiment is effective for infants undergoing toilet training, as it facilitates excretion in the toilet associated with the training, and also suppresses unintended soiling of the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3, thereby enabling the use of both pads 2, 3 to be prolonged. As a result, the effort involved in changing the diaper 1 and the amount of the diaper 1 that is discarded can be reduced. Hereinafter, the effect of the crotch region C shrinking in the vertical direction X will also be referred to as the "crotch region shrinkage effect."

[0050] The following describes the preferred configurations of both pads 2 and 3 based on this embodiment. Unless otherwise specified, these configurations can be applied to both the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3. Although these configurations may be provided to either the front pad 2 or the rear pad 3, it is preferable that both pads 2 and 3 have these configurations as in this embodiment (see FIG. 9(b)).

[0051] In this embodiment, both pads 2, 3 have at least a non-standing stretchable portion 6t in the connecting region BR in both the maximum connecting state and the minimum connecting state (see Figs. 7 and 8). The non-standing stretchable portion 6t includes a cuff elastic member 6a as a vertical elastic member 10. In this way, the non-standing portion of the three-dimensional cuff 6 also has elastic stretchability in the vertical direction X, so that the crotch region C is prevented from becoming bulky due to the standing of the three-dimensional cuff 6, and the crotch region contraction effect can be further improved. In this embodiment, the cuff elastic member 6a in the non-standing stretchable portion 6t is a continuation of the cuff elastic member 6a in the standing stretchable portion 6s up to the non-standing stretchable portion 6t. Alternatively, the standing stretchable portion 6s and the non-standing stretchable portion 6t may each include a separate cuff elastic member 6a.

[0052] The absorbent body 14 provided in the absorbent article is generally composed of hydrophilic fibers and water-absorbent polymers, and therefore tends to be stiffer than other members. From the viewpoint of further improving the contraction effect of the crotch region, it is preferable that the non-standing stretchable parts 6t and the absorbent body 14 do not overlap in the longitudinal direction X. With such a configuration, the contraction property of the non-standing stretchable parts 6t in the longitudinal direction X can be further improved (see Figs. 2 and 5).

[0053] From the same viewpoint as above, when the leg elastic members 5a are included as the vertical elastic members 10, it is preferable that the leg elastic members 5a extend downward from the lower end of the absorbent body 14. In this case, the leg elastic members 5a can further contract the crotch region C by the above-mentioned extended portions. To further enhance the above-mentioned effects, the length L9 (see FIG. 7) between the lower end of the leg elastic member 5a and the lower end of the absorber 14 in the longitudinal direction X is preferably 10 mm or more and 50 mm or less, and more preferably 15 mm or more and 35 mm or less.

[0054] In this embodiment, both pads 2, 3 include leg elastic members 5a in the connecting region BR, which extend in the longitudinal direction X in the outer stretchable portions 5s of the leg cuffs 5 (see Figs. 2 and 5). This configuration can improve the formability of leg gathers and can contract both sides in the lateral direction Y of the crotch regions C of both pads 2, 3 in the longitudinal direction X. In other words, it is possible to further suppress contact between the crotch region C and excrement. In this way, it is preferable that the longitudinal elastic member 10 includes leg elastic members 5a extending in the longitudinal direction X in the outer stretchable portions 5s.

[0055] From the viewpoint of further improving the crotch region contraction effect, it is preferable that the elongation ratio of the longitudinal elastic members 10 is within the following range. The elongation ratio of the longitudinal elastic member 10 is preferably 1.3 times or more and 3.5 times or less, and more preferably 1.6 times or more and 3.0 times or less. The elongation ratio of the cuff elastic members 6a, which are the longitudinal elastic members 10, is preferably 1.3 to 3.0 times, more preferably 1.6 to 2.5 times. The elongation ratio of the leg elastic members 5a, which are the longitudinal elastic members 10, is preferably 1.5 times or more and 3.5 times or less, and more preferably 1.7 times or more and 3.0 times or less.

[0056] The elongation ratio of the longitudinal elastic member 10 can be measured, for example, by the following method. First, each pad 2, 3 is placed in a maximum stretched state, and two marks are made at a certain distance La from the skin-facing surface of each pad 2, 3 at a position where the longitudinal elastic member is present, in the stretching direction of the longitudinal elastic member. The marks are made using an oil-based pen. In this way, the ink of the oil-based pen transfers to the longitudinal elastic member through the sheet forming the skin-facing surface of the pad, and the marks can be made on the longitudinal elastic member. Next, each pad 2, 3 is placed in a natural state (unstretched state), and the length Lb between the two marks is measured in the unstretched state. This measurement is carried out three times, and the stretching ratio (times) is calculated from the arithmetic average value of the values ​​calculated by the formula expressed as "La / Lb". The distance La can be, for example, 100 mm. The natural state is a state in which no external force is applied to the diaper 1 or the pads 2, 3, and in this state, the elastic members of the diaper 1 or the pads 2, 3 exhibit contractility.

[0057] When the standing stretch portion 6s and the non-standing stretch portion 6t include separate cuff elastic members 6a, i.e., when the cuff elastic members 6a are independent between the standing stretch portion 6s and the non-standing stretch portion 6t, it is preferable that the stretch ratio of the cuff elastic member 6a in the non-standing stretch portion 6t is higher than that of the standing stretch portion 6s, from the viewpoint of further improving the crotch region contraction effect. In this case, the stretch ratio of the cuff elastic member 6a in the non-standing elastic portion 6t is preferably 1.5 to 3.5 times, more preferably 1.7 to 3.0 times. The stretch ratio of the cuff elastic member 6a in the upright stretchable portion 6s is preferably 1.3 to 3.0 times, and more preferably 1.6 to 2.5 times.

[0058] In order to more reliably obtain the crotch region contraction effect, the elongation ratio of the longitudinal elastic members 10 in the crotch region C of both pads 2, 3 is preferably 1.5 to 3.5 times, more preferably 1.7 to 3.0 times. The crotch region C of the front pad 2 is likely to come into contact with the wearer's urine when the crotch fastening part 18a is released. From the viewpoint of further suppressing contact with excrement including urine, it is preferable that the elongation ratio of the longitudinal elastic member 10 of the front pad 2 is within the following range. The stretch ratio of the cuff elastic members 6a in the crotch region C of the front pad 2 is preferably 1.3 to 3.5 times, more preferably 1.5 to 3.0 times. The stretch ratio of the leg elastic members 5a in the crotch region C of the front pad 2 is preferably 1.3 to 3.5 times, more preferably 1.5 to 3.0 times.

[0059] When the longitudinal elastic members (cuff elastic members 6a and leg elastic members 5a) are continuous from an upper region of the crotch region C, it can be said that the longitudinal elastic members located in the crotch region C and the longitudinal elastic members located in the upper region thereof have the same elongation ratio. In this case, the above-mentioned two marks are made at any position where the continuous longitudinal elastic members exist, and the elongation ratio is measured by the above-mentioned method. When the longitudinal elastic members (cuff elastic members 6a and leg elastic members 5a) are independent in the crotch region C and the region above the crotch region C, the above-mentioned two marks are made at the positions where the longitudinal elastic members are present in the crotch region C, and the elongation ratio is measured by the above-mentioned method.

[0060] From the viewpoint of more reliably arranging the vertical elastic members in the connecting region BR, it is preferable that the vertical elastic members of the rear pad 3 extend below the upper edge of the crotch fastening portion 18a. In the rear pad 3 of this embodiment, the crotch fastening portion 18a overlaps with the cuff elastic members 6a and the leg elastic members 5a in the vertical direction X (see FIG. 5). Since both the cuff elastic members 6a and the leg elastic members 5a extend below the upper edge of the crotch fastening portion 18a, these elastic members 5a, 6a can be more reliably arranged in the connecting region BR even in the maximum connecting state.

[0061] From the same viewpoint as above and from the viewpoint of more reliably obtaining the crotch region contraction effect, in the rear pad 3, the vertical length L7, L8 (see FIG. 7) between the lower end of the vertical elastic member 10 and the upper edge of the crotch fastening portion 18a is preferably 5 mm or more and 50 mm or less, more preferably 10 mm or more and 50 mm or less, and even more preferably 15 mm or more and 35 mm or less. From the same viewpoint as above, in the rear pad 3, the vertical length L8 (see FIG. 7) between the lower end of the cuff elastic member 6a and the upper edge of the crotch fastening portion 18a is preferably 5 mm or more and 40 mm or less, and more preferably 10 mm or more and 30 mm or less. From the same viewpoint as above, in the rear pad 3, the vertical length L7 (see FIG. 7) between the lower end of the leg elastic member 5a and the upper edge of the crotch fastening portion 18a is preferably 10 mm or more and 50 mm or less, and more preferably 15 mm or more and 35 mm or less.

[0062] In order to more reliably position the longitudinal elastic members 10 in the connecting region BR, it is preferable that in the connected state, the longitudinal elastic members 10 of the front pad 2 extend below the lower edge CE3 of the rear pad 3 in the connecting region BR. That is, in the connected state in which the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3 are connected, it is preferable that the longitudinal elastic members of the front pad 2 extend outward in the longitudinal direction X on the crotch region C side from the lower edge CE3 (position E3 in Fig. 7) of the rear pad 3, i.e., below the diaper 1. With this configuration, it is possible to more reliably position the longitudinal elastic members 5a, 6a of the front pad in the connecting region BR even in the maximum connected state. In FIG. 7, the position of the lower edge CE3 of the rear pad 3 in the connecting region BR of the front pad 2 is indicated by the reference symbol E3.

[0063] From the same viewpoint as above and from the viewpoint of more reliably obtaining the crotch region contraction effect, in the connected front pad 2, the vertical lengths L11, L12 (see Figure 7) between the lower end of the vertical elastic member 10 and the lower edge CE3 (position E3 in Figure 7) of the rear pad 3 are preferably 10 mm or more and 200 mm or less, and more preferably 30 mm or more and 150 mm or less. From the same viewpoint as above, in the connected front pad 2, the vertical length L12 (see Figure 7) between the lower end of the cuff elastic member 6a and the lower edge CE3 (position E3 in Figure 7) of the rear pad 3 is preferably 10 mm or more and 180 mm or less, and more preferably 30 mm or more and 130 mm or less. From the same viewpoint as above, in the connected front pad 2, the vertical length L11 (see Figure 7) between the lower end of the leg elastic member 5a and the lower edge CE3 (position E3 in Figure 7) of the rear pad 3 is preferably 10 mm or more and 200 mm or less, and more preferably 30 mm or more and 150 mm or less.

[0064] From the viewpoint of operability when releasing the connected state, it is preferable that either or both of the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3 include a longitudinal elastic member 10 in a lower region between the absorbent body 14 and the lower edges CE2, CE3 of the pad. The lower region is the region between the absorbent body 14 and the lower edge CE2 of the front pad 2 in the longitudinal direction X, and between the absorbent body 14 and the lower edge CE3 of the rear pad 3 in the longitudinal direction X. In the maximum connected state of this embodiment (see FIG. 7), the lower region corresponds to the connected region BR. From the same viewpoint as above, it is more preferable that the pad located on the non-skin facing side in the connecting region BR has a larger contractile force in the lower region than the pad located on the skin facing side. In this embodiment, it is preferable that the following magnitude relationship (a) is satisfied. Contractile force in the lower region of the front pad 2 < Contractile force in the lower region of the rear pad 3 (a)

[0065] If the lower region has a contractile force due to the longitudinal elastic member 10, when the connection between the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3 at the connection region BR is released, the end portion (lower region) of the crotch region C of the pad located on the non-skin-facing side quickly moves away from the wearer's crotch to the waist. This also makes it easier for the end portion (lower region) of the crotch region C of the pad located on the non-skin-facing side to move away from the crotch. In addition, due to the above-mentioned size relationship (a), the end portion (lower region) of the crotch region C of the pad located on the non-skin-facing side easily curves toward the waist (see Fig. 9(b)), which effectively prevents the end portions (lower region) of the crotch regions C of both pads from unintentionally reconnecting with each other. The "pad located on the skin-facing side in the connection region BR" is the pad that is relatively closer to the wearer's skin in the connection region BR in the connected state. The "pad located on the non-skin-facing side in the connection region BR" is the pad that is relatively farther from the wearer's skin in the connection region BR in the connected state. In this embodiment, the "pad located on the skin-facing side in the connection region BR" is the front pad 2, and the "pad located on the non-skin-facing side in the connection region BR" is the rear pad 3 (see FIG. 9).

[0066] The magnitude of the contractile force of the lower region can be confirmed by the following method. A lower region is cut from each of the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3, and the length Lc of the lower region in the vertical direction X is measured while the lower region is in the maximum stretched state. Next, the length Ld of the lower region in the vertical direction X is measured in the natural state. The difference between Lc and Ld is calculated as the amount of shrinkage (length), and the ratio of the amount of shrinkage (Lc-Ld) to the length Lc of the lower region in the vertical direction X in the maximum stretched state [((Lc-Ld) / Lc)×100] is calculated, and this is the shrinkage rate (%) of the lower region. The shrinkage rates of the lower regions of the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3 are then compared, and the pad with the higher shrinkage rate is determined to be the pad with the greater contractile force. The lengths Lc, Ld of the lower region in the longitudinal direction X in the maximum stretched state or in the natural state are the minimum lengths of the lower region in the longitudinal direction X.

[0067] In order to achieve both the crotch area contraction effect and the ease of use when releasing the connected state, it is preferable that the contraction force of the lower regions of the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3 be within the following range, assuming that the above-mentioned magnitude relationship (a) is satisfied. In the connecting region BR, the pad located on the skin-facing side has a contractile force in the lower region of preferably 0% or more and 40% or less, and more preferably 10% or more and 30% or less. In the connecting region BR, the pad located on the non-skin facing side has a contractile force in the lower region of preferably 10% to 60%, more preferably 20% to 50%, both inclusive.

[0068] From the viewpoint of easily satisfying the size relationship (a), it is preferable that the pad located on the non-skin facing side in the connecting region BR has a larger number of longitudinal elastic members 10 in the lower region than the pad located on the skin facing side. Such a configuration is particularly preferable when the elongation ratio of the longitudinal elastic members 10 in the lower region is the same in the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3. From the same viewpoint as above, it is preferable that the number of the longitudinal elastic members 10 in the lower region is within the following range. The pad located on the non-skin facing side in the connecting region BR has preferably 2 to 10 longitudinal elastic members 10 in the lower region, more preferably 4 to 8 longitudinal elastic members 10 in the lower region. The pad located on the skin-facing side in the connecting region BR has preferably 0 to 8 longitudinal elastic members 10 in the lower region, more preferably 2 to 6 longitudinal elastic members 10 in the lower region. When the lower region includes the cuff elastic members 6a and the leg elastic members 5a, the number of the vertical elastic members 10 in the lower region is the total number of the cuff elastic members 6a and the leg elastic members 5a.

[0069] From the viewpoint of easily satisfying the size relationship (a), it is preferable that the pad located on the non-skin facing side in the connecting region BR has a larger elongation ratio of the longitudinal elastic members 10 in the lower region than the pad located on the skin facing side. Such a configuration is particularly preferable when the number of longitudinal elastic members 10 in the lower region is the same in the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3. From the same viewpoint as above, it is preferable that the elongation ratio of the longitudinal elastic member 10 in the lower region is within the following range. In the connecting region BR, the pad located on the non-skin facing side has an elongation ratio of the longitudinal elastic member 10 in the lower region of preferably 1.3 to 3.5 times, more preferably 1.5 to 3.0 times. In the connecting region BR, the pad located on the skin-facing side has an elongation ratio of the longitudinal elastic member 10 in the lower region of preferably 1.2 to 3.0 times, more preferably 1.3 to 2.5 times.

[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 or perforated films can be used, and as the leak-proof sheet 12, a resin film or a laminate of a resin film and a nonwoven fabric 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 of the front waistband 28 and the crotch fastening portion 18a have male members of a mechanical hook-and-loop fastener, and typically have a configuration in which a large number of the hook materials are arranged on the surface of a base material made of a resin film, woven fabric, nonwoven fabric, etc. 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 a leakproof sheet and an 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-described embodiment includes the cuff elastic members 6a and the leg elastic members 5a as the longitudinal elastic members, but it is sufficient if the diaper 1 includes only one of the cuff elastic members 6a and the leg elastic members 5a. In the diaper 1 of the present embodiment, the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3 each have a longitudinal elastic member disposed in the connecting region BR, but the longitudinal elastic member may be disposed in the connecting region BR of only either the front pad 2 or the rear pad 3. From the viewpoint of further suppressing contact between the crotch region C and excrement, it is preferable that at least the front pad 2 has a longitudinal elastic member disposed in the connecting region BR. In the diaper 1 of this embodiment, in the connected state, the pad located on the non-skin-facing side of the connecting region BR is the rear pad 3, and the pad located on the skin-facing side of the connecting region BR is the front pad 2, but the pad located on the non-skin-facing side of the connecting region BR may be the front pad 2, and the pad located on the skin-facing side of the connecting region BR may be the rear pad 3. In this case, the front pad 2 has a crotch fastening part 18a on the skin-facing side of the end of the crotch region C, and is removably fastened to the non-skin-facing side of the rear pad 3.

[0076] In addition, the diaper 1 in the above-mentioned embodiment is composed of two parts, the front pad 2 and the rear pad 3, but instead of the waist belt 38 of the rear pad 3, it may be composed of three parts including a holder 114 arranged around the waist of the wearer, a front pad 112 and a rear pad 113 (see Figs. 10(a) and (b)). In such a diaper 111, the holder 114 is worn in a ring shape around the waist of the wearer and holds both pads 112, 113 in a state in which they are worn on the wearer. The holder 114 has a ventral part A arranged on the ventral side (front side) of the wearer and a rear part B arranged on the back side (rear side) of the wearer, and is provided with a holder main body part 114a forming the main part of the holder. The holder body 114a is mainly made of a sheet-like material such as nonwoven fabric, and typically includes a laminated structure of an outer layer sheet forming the non-skin facing surface (outer surface) of the holder body 114a and an inner layer sheet forming the skin facing surface (inner surface) of the holder body 114a. The holder 114 is annular in shape as both ends of the holder body 114a in the longitudinal direction of each of the ventral part A and the back part B are joined together by a known joining means such as fusion or adhesive, and has a pair of joining parts (not shown) joining the ventral part A and the back part B, and a waist opening WO. The joining parts correspond to the side seal parts in a general non-separate type (one part) pants-type disposable diaper. The holder body 114a in each of the ventral part A and the back part B has a plurality of elastic members arranged at intervals in the vertical direction so as to be stretchable in the circumferential direction, whereby the holder 114 has stretchability 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 main body portion 114a, 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 112 and the rear pad 113 to this holder side fastening structure, both pads 112, 113 can be removably fastened to the holder. The rear pad 113 of this embodiment can have the same configuration as the rear pad 3 of the above-mentioned embodiment, except that it has a pad-side fastening structure instead of the waist belt 38. The front pad 112 of this embodiment can have the same configuration as the front pad 2 of the above-mentioned embodiment, and the fastening parts 29c, 29s, 29s provided on the waist part 28 can be used as pad-side fastening structures.

[0077] The holder may be of a belt type (not shown) instead of having a pair of joints joining the ventral portion A and the dorsal portion B. In this case, the holder can be cut off at a position corresponding to one of the joints to open the holder long in one direction. In the opened state, the fastening structure is provided on one end in 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 holder can be made into a ring shape.

[0078] The above-mentioned holder having a joint and the belt-type holder may each have a central extension 123 in which the central portion in the lateral direction Y of the back side portion B partially hangs down and extends to the crotch region C of the rear pad 3 (see Figs. 11(a) and (b)). The diaper 121 shown in Fig. 11 has a similar structure to the diaper 111 shown in Fig. 10 except that the holder 124 has a central extension 123. In the diaper 121 of this type, the central extension 123 of the holder 124 is formed by the outer layer sheet and the inner layer sheet forming the holder main body portion 124a. When worn, the central extension 123 is disposed on the non-skin facing side of the rear pad 113 and covers the outer surface of the pad 113. The skin-facing surface of the tip of the central extension portion 123 and the non-skin-facing surface of the crotch region C of the rear pad 113 are provided with a fastening structure that allows them to be attached and detached freely, and the fastening structure fixes the central extension portion 123 to the non-skin-facing surface of the rear pad 113.

[0079] 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 that has 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, and can be used in a state where both pads are connected in a crotch region arranged in the crotch area of ​​the wearer, A longitudinal elastic member that stretches in the longitudinal direction is disposed in a connecting region where the front pad and the rear pad are connected in an overlapping state, An absorbent article that is capable of the following (1) and (2) while maintaining a state of attachment around the torso of a wearer. (1) The front pad and the rear pad are separable in the crotch region. (2) The front pad is completely removable from the rear pad.

[0080] <2> A pair of three-dimensional cuffs extending along the longitudinal direction are formed on each of the front pad and the rear pad, The pair of three-dimensional cuffs have an upright stretchable portion exhibiting elastic stretchability in at least a central region in the vertical direction of each of the front pad and the rear pad, and have a non-upright stretchable portion exhibiting elastic stretchability in the connecting region, The longitudinal elastic member includes an elastic member extending in the longitudinal direction in the non-standing elastic portion. <1> The absorbent article according to claim 1. <3> In the deployed and extended state, the elastic members arranged in the non-standing stretchable portion are parallel to each other. <2> The absorbent article according to claim 1. <4> Each of the front pad and the rear pad includes an absorbent body, The non-standing elastic portion and the absorbent body do not overlap in the vertical direction. <2> or <3> The absorbent article according to claim 1. <5> The front pad has a front absorbent body including the absorbent body, and is provided with a crotch horizontal stretchable portion disposed on the skin-facing side of the front absorbent body and at the lower end of the front absorbent body. <4> The absorbent article according to claim 1. <6> The front pad has a front waist portion at an upper end of the front pad. <1> ~ <5> 13. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

[0081] <7> The front pad has a front absorbent body having an absorbent body, The front waist portion is disposed on the skin-facing surface side of the front absorbent main body. <5> or <6> An absorbent article as described above. <8> The front waist portion is fixed in a stretched state and has a plurality of waist transverse elastic members extending in the transverse direction and spaced apart in the longitudinal direction. <6> or <7> An absorbent article as described above. <9> The front waist portion has the waist lateral elastic members disposed on both sides of the front waist portion in the lateral direction. <8> An absorbent article as described above. <10> The front waist portion has a central fastening portion between the waistline transverse elastic members located on both sides of the front waist portion, and has a pair of side fastening portions on the transverse outer sides of the waistline transverse elastic members in the transverse direction. <8> or <9> An absorbent article as described above. <11> The rear pad has a rear absorbent body including the absorbent body, and is provided with a crotch horizontal stretchable portion disposed on the skin-facing side of the rear absorbent body and at the lower end of the rear absorbent body. <4> An absorbent article as described above.

[0082] <12> The rear pad includes a waist belt disposed at an upper end of the rear absorbent body. <11> An absorbent article as described above. <13> The waist belt comprises a pair of stretch panels arranged on both sides in the lateral direction at the upper end of the rear absorbent body, a connecting and fastening sheet portion provided on the lateral outer side of one of the stretch panels, and a connecting and fastened sheet portion provided on the lateral outer side of the other of the stretch panels, The connecting and fastening sheet portion has a fastening portion at an outer end portion in the lateral direction. <12> An absorbent article as described above. <14> The fastening portion of the connecting fastening sheet portion is removably fastened to the non-skin facing surface of the connecting fastening sheet portion, and the connecting fastening sheet portion is fastened to the connecting fastening sheet portion via the fastening portion, so that the waist belt becomes circular. <13> An absorbent article as described above. <15> 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. <13> or <14> An absorbent article as described above. <16> a pair of three-dimensional cuffs extending along the vertical direction and a pair of leg cuffs positioned laterally outward of the pair of three-dimensional cuffs are formed on each of the front pad and the rear pad; The leg cuff has an outer stretchable portion that exhibits elastic stretchability, The longitudinal elastic member includes an elastic member extending in the longitudinal direction in the outer stretchable portion. <1> ~ <15> 13. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

[0083] <17> When the front pad and the rear pad are overlapped and connected to each other, the connection region is a region between a lower edge of the front pad and a lower edge of the rear pad, The connecting region is expandable and contractable in the vertical direction according to the overlapping with the front pad and the rear pad. <1> ~ <16> 13. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 12. <18> 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 longitudinal elastic member of the rear pad extends below an upper edge of the crotch fastening portion. <1> ~ <17> 13. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 12. <19> In the rear pad, the length in the vertical direction between the lower end of the vertical elastic member and the upper edge of the crotch fastening part is 5 mm or more and 50 mm or less, preferably 10 mm or more and 50 mm or less, and more preferably 15 mm or more and 35 mm or less. <18> The absorbent article according to claim 1. <20> Each of the front pad and the rear pad includes an absorbent body, In a state where the front pad and the rear pad are connected to each other, the pad located on the non-skin facing side in the connection region has a larger contractile force in a lower region between the absorbent body and a lower edge of the pad than the pad located on the skin facing side. <1> ~ <19> 13. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 12. <21> The pad located on the non-skin facing side in the connecting region has a larger number of the longitudinal elastic members in the lower region than the pad located on the skin facing side. <20> The absorbent article according to claim 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 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 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 18a Inseam fastening part 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 BR connection area C Inseam area CE2 Lower edge of front pad CE3 Lower edge of rear pad LO Leg Opening WE Waist opening end WO Waist opening 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, which can be used by connecting the two pads in the crotch area positioned in the wearer's groin area, A longitudinally elastic member that expands and contracts in the vertical direction is arranged in the connecting region where the front pad and the rear pad are connected in an overlapping state. An absorbent article that allows the following (1) and (2) to be performed while maintaining a secure fit around the wearer's torso. (1) In the crotch area, the front pad and the rear pad are separable. (2) The front pad is completely removable from the rear pad.

2. Each of the front and rear pads has a pair of three-dimensional cuffs that extend along the longitudinal direction. The pair of three-dimensional cuffs each have an upright stretchable portion that exhibits elasticity in at least the central area in the longitudinal direction of the front pad and the rear pad, and a non-upright stretchable portion that exhibits elasticity in the connecting region. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal elastic member includes an elastic member extending in the longitudinal direction in the non-upright expandable portion.

3. The absorbent article according to claim 2, wherein, in the unfolded and extended state, the elastic members arranged in the non-upright expandable portion are parallel to each other.

4. Each of the aforementioned front pad and rear pad is equipped with an absorbent material. The absorbent article according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the non-erect expandable portion and the absorbent body do not overlap in the longitudinal direction.

5. Each of the front and rear pads has a pair of three-dimensional cuffs extending along the longitudinal direction and a pair of leg cuffs positioned laterally outward from the pair of three-dimensional cuffs. The leg cuff has an outer stretchable portion that exhibits elasticity, The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the longitudinal elastic member includes an elastic member extending in the longitudinal direction in the outer expandable portion.

6. In the state in which the front pad and the rear pad are overlapped and connected, the connecting region is the region between the lower edge of the front pad and the lower edge of the rear pad. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the connecting region is expandable or contractible in the vertical direction in accordance with the overlap of the front pad and the rear pad.

7. The rear pad has a crotch fastening portion on the skin-facing surface of the crotch area that fastens to the non-skin-facing surface of the front pad in the crotch area. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the longitudinal elastic member of the rear pad extends below the upper edge of the crotch fastening portion.

8. The absorbent article according to claim 7, wherein in the rear pad, the length in the vertical direction between the lower end of the longitudinal elastic member and the upper edge of the crotch fastening portion is 5 mm or more and 50 mm or less.

9. Each of the aforementioned front pad and rear pad is equipped with an absorbent material. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, in a state in which the front pad and the rear pad are connected, the pad located on the non-skin-facing side in the connection area has a greater contractile force in the lower region between the absorbent and the lower edge of the pad than the pad located on the skin-facing side.

10. The absorbent article according to claim 9, wherein the pad located on the non-skin-facing side in the connecting region has a greater number of longitudinal elastic members in the lower region than the pad located on the skin-facing side.

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