Absorbent article

Abstract

To provide an absorbent article which has a leg surrounding opening on one side of a lateral direction and a fastening part on the other side, and improves fitness of the leg surrounding opening and reduces labor in attachment of the absorbent article.SOLUTION: There is provided an absorbent article (1) having a girth part and an absorbent main body (10), an end part on one side in a lateral direction of the girth part is joined by a side joining part (2b) and has a fastening part (5), and the girth part has a girth stretchable member (23). The absorbent main body (10) has a leg surrounding stretchable member (17), and on one side in a lateral direction of an abdominal side girth part (20), a portion where the girth stretchable member (23) and the leg surrounding stretchable member (17) cross. A value obtained by dividing force required for extending by a prescribed length, a lower side stretchable region (BE) along the lateral direction, by a vertical width of the lower side stretchable region (BE) is larger than a value obtained by dividing force required for extending by a prescribed length, a leg surrounding stretchable region (LE) along the vertical direction, by a vertical width of the leg surrounding stretchable region (LE).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an absorbent article. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known an absorbent article that has leg openings on one side in the left-right direction, and can form leg openings on the other side by engaging a fastening part (fastening tab) provided on the other side in the left-right direction with a waist part. Such an absorbent article can be worn by a wearer by passing one leg through the leg opening on one side, pulling it up to the crotch area, and then engaging the fastening part on the other side. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a disposable diaper that can be worn by a wearer by passing one leg through a leg hole (leg opening) formed on one side of a waist part (waist part), and then fastening the other side of the waist part with a fastening means (fastening tab). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Publication No. 7-17304 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in conventional absorbent articles such as that in Patent Document 1, when a wearer puts one leg through the leg opening and pulls it up, it is difficult to sufficiently pull up the leg opening when the waist part is pulled, and it is difficult to make the leg opening fit securely around the wearer's groin. In addition, the position of the leg opening is easily shifted, which causes trouble such as the need to repeatedly re-engage the fastening part to adjust the position and fit of the leg opening when wearing the article.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the conventional problems described above, and its purpose is to improve the fit of the leg openings in an absorbent article which has a leg opening on one side in the left-right direction and a fastening portion on the other side, thereby reducing the effort required when putting on the article. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The main invention for achieving the above object is an absorbent article having a waist portion having a vertical direction, a horizontal direction, and a front-rear direction intersecting each other, the waist portion including a ventral waist portion and a rear waist portion, and an absorbent main body, wherein one end of the ventral waist portion and the rear waist portion in the horizontal direction are joined at a side joining portion, the waist portion has a fastening portion having an engaging portion that detachably engages with a non-skin side surface of the waist portion, the waist portion has waist stretchable members that stretch in the horizontal direction, the absorbent main body has leg stretchable members that stretch in the vertical direction on both side portions in the horizontal direction, and when viewed in the front-rear direction, the waist stretchable members extend in the vertical direction from the one end of the ventral waist portion in the horizontal direction. and a region where the waistline stretch member is provided on the waist section below the vertical center of the side joint is defined as a lower stretch region, and a region where the leg-opening stretch member is provided on the absorbent main body is defined as a leg-opening stretch region, wherein a force required to stretch the lower stretch region by a predetermined length in the left-right direction divided by the vertical width of the lower stretch region is greater than a force required to stretch the leg-opening stretch region by the predetermined length in the up-down direction divided by the left-right width of the leg-opening stretch region.

[0007] Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention and the accompanying drawings. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, in an absorbent article having leg openings on one side in the left-right direction and a fastening portion on the other side, the fit of the leg openings can be improved and the effort required when putting on the absorbent article can be reduced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a disposable diaper 1 in a worn state. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the diaper 1 in an open and stretched state, as viewed from the non-skin side. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion X in FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is a diagram illustrating the separation of the ventral waist portion 20 and the formation of a waist opening. FIG. [Diagram 5] 13 is a diagram illustrating the operation of cutting the abdominal-side waist portion 20. FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a diagram showing an enlarged view of one side region in the left-right direction of the abdominal waist portion 20 and the absorbent main body 10 in a stretched state. [Figure 7] 7A to 7C are diagrams illustrating a method for measuring the stretching force of the lower stretchable region BE. [Figure 8] 1 is a partially enlarged view of the diaper 1 in a stretched state, illustrating a state in which the fastening part 5 is engaged with the ventral-side waist part 20 in alignment with the position of the mark part 60. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a portion Y in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the length of the elastic member along the periphery of the leg opening LH. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] At least the following points will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0011] (Aspect 1) An absorbent article having a waist portion having a vertical direction, a horizontal direction, and a front-to-rear direction intersecting each other, the waist portion including a ventral waist portion and a rear waist portion, and an absorbent main body, wherein one end of the ventral waist portion and the rear waist portion in the horizontal direction are joined at a side joining portion, and the waist portion has a fastening portion having an engaging portion that detachably engages with a non-skin side surface of the waist portion, the waist portion has waist stretchable members that stretch in the horizontal direction, and the absorbent main body has leg stretchable members that stretch in the vertical direction on both side portions in the horizontal direction, and when viewed in the front-to-rear direction, the waist stretchable members and the leg stretchable members are stretched in the vertical direction on the one side of the horizontal direction of the ventral waist portion, an elastic member or an extension thereof intersects with said elastic member, and a lower elastic region is a region where the waistline stretchable member is provided on the waist portion below the vertical center of said side joint, and a leg elastic region is a region where the leg elastic member is provided on said absorbent main body, wherein a value obtained by dividing the force required to extend the lower elastic region by a predetermined length in the left-right direction by the vertical width of said lower elastic region is greater than a value obtained by dividing the force required to extend the leg elastic region by the predetermined length in the up-down direction by the horizontal width of said leg elastic region.

[0012] According to the absorbent article of the first aspect, when the wearer puts on the absorbent article, after passing the wearer's legs through the leg openings on one side in the left-right direction, when the waist part (ventral waist part) is grabbed and pulled up, a force is transmitted to the leg stretch members via the waist stretch members, and the leg stretch regions are easily pulled up. Furthermore, the leg stretch regions are easily stretched in the up-down direction with a force weaker than the force acting in the direction of stretching the lower stretch region in the left-right direction, and compared to the reverse case, the leg stretch regions are easily pulled up in conjunction with the lower stretch region. This makes it easier for the leg stretch regions and the leg openings along the lower stretch region to fit the wearer's groin at least on the front side (ventral side) in the front-to-rear direction. Furthermore, when engaging the fastening parts after pulling up the waist part, the effort of repeatedly attaching and detaching the fastening parts to adjust the position of the leg openings in order to improve the fit in the groin is reduced.

[0013] (Aspect 2) The absorbent article of aspect 1, wherein, on one side in the left-right direction of the ventral waistline portion and the rear waistline portion, when viewed in the front-to-rear direction, the waistline elastic member and the leg line elastic member or their extensions intersect at the ventral waistline portion and the rear waistline portion, respectively, and a value obtained by dividing the force required to stretch the lower stretchable region by a predetermined length along the left-right direction by the vertical width of the lower stretchable region is greater than a value obtained by dividing the force required to stretch the leg line elastic region by the predetermined length along the vertical direction by the left-to-right width of the leg line elastic region.

[0014] According to the absorbent article of aspect 2, when the waist portion (ventral waist portion and rear waist portion) is grasped and pulled up during the wearing action, force is transmitted to the leg stretch members via the ventral and rear waist stretch members, making it easier to pull up the leg stretch regions. The leg stretch regions are more likely to be stretched up and down with a force weaker than the force acting in a direction stretching the lower stretch region left and right, making it easier to pull up the leg stretch regions in conjunction with the lower stretch region compared to the reverse case. Therefore, on both the ventral and rear sides, the leg stretch regions and the leg openings along the lower stretch region are more likely to fit the wearer's groin.

[0015] (Aspect 3) The absorbent article of aspect 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the waistline stretch members and the legline stretch members intersect on one side of the left-right direction of the ventral waistline portion and the dorsal waistline portion when viewed in the front-to-rear direction, and the force required to stretch one of the intersecting waistline stretch members by a predetermined length along the left-right direction is greater than the force required to stretch one of the intersecting legline stretch members by the predetermined length along the up-down direction.

[0016] According to the absorbent article of aspect 3, when the waist part is pulled up during putting on, a force is likely to act directly on the leg elastic members intersecting with the waist elastic members, and the leg elastic members are likely to be pulled up in conjunction with the waist elastic members, making it easier for the leg openings to fit closely to the groin area. This makes it difficult for the leg openings to shift position on one side in the left-right direction when the fastening part is engaged on the other side in the left-right direction, making it easier to put on.

[0017] (Aspect 4) The absorbent article of any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein, on one side of the left-right direction of the ventral waist portion and the rear waist portion, when viewed in the front-to-rear direction, a plurality of the waist stretch members and the leg stretch members intersect, and a force required to stretch the plurality of intersecting waist stretch members by the predetermined length along the left-right direction is greater than a force required to stretch the plurality of intersecting leg stretch members by the predetermined length along the up-down direction.

[0018] According to the absorbent article of aspect 4, when the waist part is pulled up during putting on, a larger force is likely to act on the multiple leg stretch members intersecting with the waist stretch members. This makes it easier for the multiple leg stretch members to be pulled up in conjunction with the multiple waist stretch members, and makes it easier for the leg openings LH to fit more closely to the groin area, so that the leg openings are less likely to shift position when the fastening parts are engaged, making it easier to put on.

[0019] (Aspect 5) An absorbent article as described in any one of aspects 1 to 4, wherein, when viewed in the front-to-rear direction, on one side of the left-right direction of the ventral waist portion, the force required to stretch the waist stretch member having a portion that intersects with the leg stretch member in the lower elasticated region by a predetermined length along the left-right direction is smaller than the force required to stretch the waist stretch member that does not have a portion that intersects with the leg stretch member in the lower elasticated region by a predetermined length along the left-right direction.

[0020] According to the absorbent article of aspect 5, the region where the leg elastic members and the waist elastic members intersect near the periphery of the leg openings on one side in the left-right direction of the ventral waist part is more elastic in the left-right direction than other regions, making it easier for the leg openings to open. This makes it easier for the wearer to widen the leg openings when wearing the absorbent article, and also makes it less likely for the wearer's legs to get caught in the leg openings LH when passing their legs through the leg openings.

[0021] (Aspect 6) An absorbent article as described in any of aspects 1 to 5, wherein, when viewed in the front-to-rear direction, on the ventral side in the front-to-rear direction and on one side in the left-to-right direction, the length in the up-down direction of the area where the waistline stretchable member and the legline stretchable member intersect is shorter than the length in the left-to-right direction of the waistline stretchable member provided on the other side in the left-to-right direction of the area where the waistline stretchable member and the legline stretchable member intersect.

[0022] According to the absorbent article of the sixth aspect, the area where the waist stretchable member and the leg stretchable member intersect (intersection area) is more easily pulled to the other side in the left-right direction than in the opposite case. Therefore, when the fastening part is pulled to the other side in the left-right direction while being turned to the abdominal waist part side and engaged during the action of putting on the absorbent article, the intersection area is more easily able to resist the force pulling it to one side in the left-right direction. This makes it difficult for the position of the leg openings (the position of the intersection area) to shift relative to the wearer's groin, and makes it difficult for the fit of the leg openings to deteriorate.

[0023] (Aspect 7) The absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 6, wherein the ventral waist portion is provided with a marker portion for engaging the fastening portion, and when the absorbent article is opened, the fastening portion is engaged on the other side in the left-right direction of the position of the marker portion, and when the absorbent article is opened, the other side in the left-right direction of the ventral waist portion does not have a portion where the waist stretch member and the leg stretch member intersect when viewed in the front-to-back direction, and when the fastening portion is engaged with the ventral waist portion in accordance with the position of the marker portion, when viewed in the front-to-back direction, there is a portion where the waist stretch member and the leg stretch member or an extension of the waist stretch member intersect when viewed in the front-to-back direction.

[0024] According to the absorbent article of aspect 7, when the package is opened, the stretching force of the leg stretchable members is unlikely to act on the waist stretchable members on the other side in the left-right direction, and the fastener part is likely to stably maintain the state in which it is engaged with the engaged part. On the other hand, when the fastener part is engaged with the position of the marker part, the waist stretchable members and the leg stretchable members work together to easily apply a stretching force along the leg openings, and the leg openings are likely to fit the wearer's groin on the other side in the left-right direction.

[0025] (Aspect 8) An absorbent article as described in any one of aspects 1 to 7, wherein, when viewed in the front-to-rear direction with the fastening portion engaged with the ventral waist portion in alignment with the position of the marker portion on the other side in the left-right direction of the ventral waist portion, the end of one side of the waistline elastic member is located on the other side in the left-right direction than the leg line elastic member that is located furthest on the one side.

[0026] According to the absorbent article of aspect 8, compared to the opposite case, the waist elastic member is less likely to exert an excessively large stretching force in the left-right direction, making it easier to align the fastener part with the marker part and engage it, and also making it difficult for the engaging part and engaged part to come out of engagement. Then, when the fastener part is engaged with the marker part, the waist elastic member and the leg elastic member work together to exert a stretching force along the periphery of the leg openings, making it easier for the leg openings to fit the wearer's groin on the other left-right side.

[0027] (Aspect 9) An absorbent article as described in any one of aspects 1 to 8, wherein when viewed in the front-to-rear direction with the fastening portion engaged with the ventral waistline portion in alignment with the position of the marker portion on the other side in the left-right direction of the ventral waistline portion, the engagement portion provided on the fastening portion is located on the one side in the left-right direction relative to the leg opening elastic member that is located furthest on the one side.

[0028] According to the absorbent article of the ninth aspect, the stretching force of the leg-hole stretchable members is less likely to act on the region where the ventral waist portion (engaged portion) and the fastening portion (engaging portion) are engaged. Therefore, wrinkles and distortions are less likely to form in the region, and the region is more likely to maintain a flat shape, so that the engagement between the engaged portion and the fastening portion (engaging portion) is less likely to come off. This can further improve the fit when worn.

[0029] (Aspect 10) An absorbent article as described in any one of aspects 1 to 9, wherein in a stretched state, with the fastening portion engaged with the ventral waist portion in alignment with the position of the marker portion, a total length of the waist stretchable member and the leg stretchable member arranged along the periphery of the leg opening on one side in the left-right direction is longer than a total length of the waist stretchable member and the leg stretchable member arranged along the periphery of the leg opening on the other side in the left-right direction.

[0030] According to the absorbent article of aspect 10, when worn, the perimeter of the leg opening on one side in the left-right direction, which is the opening through which the wearer's legs pass first, is longer than the perimeter of the leg opening on the other side, making it less likely that the wearer's legs will get caught in the leg opening on one side in the left-right direction compared to the reverse case. This makes it easier to put on the article smoothly and makes it easier to fit the leg opening on one side in the left-right direction around the wearer's groin.

[0031] (Aspect 11) An absorbent article as described in any one of aspects 1 to 10, wherein in a natural state, with the fastening portion engaged with the ventral waist portion in alignment with the position of the marker portion, a total length of the waist stretchable member and the leg stretchable member arranged along the periphery of the leg opening on one side in the left-right direction is longer than a total length of the waist stretchable member and the leg stretchable member arranged along the periphery of the leg opening on the other side in the left-right direction.

[0032] According to the absorbent article of aspect 11, compared to the opposite case, even if the absorbent article is not fully stretched when putting it on, the wearer's legs are less likely to get caught in the leg openings on one side in the left-right direction when putting the legs through them. This makes it easier to put on the absorbent article smoothly, and makes it easier to fit the leg openings LH around the wearer's groin on one side in the left-right direction.

[0033] (Aspect 12) The absorbent article of any one of aspects 1 to 11, wherein, when viewed in the front-to-rear direction with the fastening portion engaged with the ventral waist portion in alignment with the position of the marker portion, the length in the left-right direction of a portion where the waist stretch member overlaps with the leg stretch member on one side in the left-right direction is longer than the length in the left-right direction of a portion where the waist stretch member overlaps with the leg stretch member on the other side in the left-right direction.

[0034] According to the absorbent article of aspect 12, the area where the waist elastic member and the leg elastic member intersect on one side in the left-right direction is larger than on the other side in the left-right direction. Therefore, the force pulling up the waist part is more easily transmitted to the leg openings on the side (one side in the left-right direction) where the wearer's legs pass when putting on the absorbent article, and the leg openings are more easily pulled up and fit the groin area better than in the opposite case.

[0035] === Implementation form === Hereinafter, an embodiment of the absorbent article according to the present invention will be described by taking a pants-type disposable diaper for infants as an example. However, the absorbent article according to the present invention is not limited to disposable diapers for infants, and can also be used as disposable diapers for adults, sanitary shorts, etc.

[0036] <Composition of disposable diaper 1> Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a disposable diaper 1 (hereinafter referred to as "diaper") in a worn state, as viewed from the other side in the left-right direction. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the diaper 1 in an unfolded and stretched state, as viewed from the non-skin side. The center line CC in Fig. 2 is the center line in the left-right direction in the stretched state.

[0037] The "natural state" refers to the state of the diaper 1 when it is left for a predetermined period of time. For example, the rear waist portion 30 of the manufactured diaper 1 is removed from the package and pulled outward in both lateral directions to put the waist portions 20, 30 in a "stretched state." After this stretched state is maintained for 15 seconds, the diaper 1 is released and placed on a flat surface such as a desk. The natural state is the state in which the diaper 1 is left lying flat for 5 minutes.

[0038] The "unfolded state" refers to a state in which both sides of the diaper 1 in a pants-type state, i.e., the side joints 2a, 2b at both side ends of the ventral waist portion 20 and the back waist portion 30, are separated and opened to unfold the entire diaper 1 in a flat plane. The "stretched state" refers to a state in which the elastic members of the diaper 1 are stretched to such an extent that wrinkles in the diaper 1 are no longer visible. More specifically, it refers to a state in which the dimensions of each component constituting the diaper 1 (e.g., the ventral waist portion 20 described below) are stretched to the extent that they match or are close to the dimensions of the component alone.

[0039] In the pants-type state shown in Fig. 1, the diaper 1 has a vertical direction, a horizontal direction, and a front-rear direction that are perpendicular to each other, and is formed with a waist opening BH and a pair of leg openings LH, LH. In the vertical direction, the waist opening BH side is the upper side, and the crotch side is the lower side. In the front-rear direction, the wearer's abdominal side is the front side, and the wearer's back side is the rear side. The direction in which the materials constituting the diaper 1 are layered is called the thickness direction, the side in contact with the wearer in the thickness direction is called the skin side, and the side opposite the skin side is called the non-skin side. The thickness direction is also the direction along the front-rear direction in the natural state.

[0040] The diaper 1 is a so-called three-piece type, and has an absorbent main body 10, a ventral waist section 20, and a rear waist section 30. The ventral waist section 20 covers the wearer's ventral side, and the rear waist section 30 covers the wearer's rear side. Hereinafter, the ventral waist section 20 and the rear waist section 30 are collectively referred to simply as the "waist section." The diaper 1 also has a fastening section 5.

[0041] In the diaper 1 in an unfolded state shown in Fig. 2, the ventral waist portion 20 and the rear waist portion 30 are arranged so that their longitudinal directions are aligned with the left-right direction of the diaper 1. One longitudinal end of the absorbent main body 10 is arranged in the center of the ventral waist portion 20 in the left-right direction, and the other longitudinal end of the absorbent main body 10 is arranged in the center of the rear waist portion 30 in the left-right direction, thereby forming a crotch portion 40. The absorbent main body 10 is arranged closer to the skin than the ventral waist portion 20 and the rear waist portion 30.

[0042] The diaper 1 in the unfolded state shown in Fig. 2 is folded in half at approximately the center CL of the absorbent body 10 in the longitudinal direction with the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 10 aligned along the up-down direction of the diaper 1, and both side ends of the ventral waist portion 20 and both side ends of the back waist portion 30 in the left-right direction of the diaper 1 are joined by heat welding, ultrasonic welding or the like to form a pair of side joints 2a, 2b, thereby producing the pants-type diaper 1 shown in Fig. 1. The side joint 2b is a joint provided on one side in the left-right direction, and the side joint 2a is a joint provided on the other side in the left-right direction.

[0043] However, the side joint 2a does not necessarily have to be formed on the other side in the left-right direction, and it is sufficient that the side joint 2b is formed on at least one side in the left-right direction. That is, it is sufficient that the ventral waistline portion 20 and the back waistline portion 30 are joined by the side joint 2b at least at the end on one side in the left-right direction. For example, the ventral waistline portion 20 and the back waistline portion 30 may not be joined to each other on the other side in the left-right direction, and a fastening portion 5 described later may be provided at the end on the other side in the left-right direction of the back waistline portion 30.

[0044] Furthermore, since the diaper 1 of this embodiment is for infants, when the diaper 1 is in an unfolded and extended state (FIG. 2), the maximum longitudinal dimension of the diaper 1 (the length from the upper end of the ventral waist portion 20 to the upper end of the dorsal waist portion 30) should be in the range of about 395 mm to 425 mm. The longitudinal (vertical) length of the side joint portions 2a, 2b should be in the range of about 88.5 mm to 98.5 mm. However, diapers for infants having sizes outside the above-mentioned range may also be used.

[0045] In this embodiment, the portion overlapping the pair of side joints 2a, 2b in the vertical direction is the waistline portion 20, 30, and the waistline portion 20, 30 includes the ventral waistline portion 20, which is one side waistline portion, and the back waistline portion 30, which is the other side waistline portion. The portion below the waistline portions 20, 30 is the crotch portion 40. Note that the absorbent article may have an extension portion extending downward from the ventral waistline portion 20 or the back waistline portion 30 as an exterior material located on the non-skin side of the absorbent main body 10. The extension portion can cover the lower abdomen and buttocks of the wearer. In addition, the ventral waistline portion 20 and the back waistline portion 30 are not limited to being separate and separate members, but may be a single member in which an exterior material for the crotch portion is provided between the ventral waistline portion 20 and the back waistline portion 30 and the ventral waistline portion 20 and the back waistline portion 30 are continuous.

[0046] The absorbent body 10 comprises an absorbent body 11, a liquid-permeable top sheet 12 arranged on the skin side of the absorbent body 11, a second sheet 13 arranged between the top sheet 12 and the absorbent body 11, a side sheet 14 arranged on the skin side of the absorbent body 11 and the second sheet 13, a liquid-impermeable back sheet 15 arranged on the non-skin side of the absorbent body 11, and an outer sheet 16 arranged on the non-skin side of the back sheet 15.

[0047] The absorbent body 11 has a generally rectangular shape in plan view, and includes an absorbent core 11A that absorbs and retains excreted liquid such as urine, and a liquid-permeable core wrap sheet (not shown) that covers the absorbent core. Examples of the absorbent core 11A include a liquid-absorbent fiber such as pulp containing a superabsorbent polymer (SAP) that is molded into a predetermined shape, such as a generally hourglass shape in plan view (molded product of liquid-absorbent fiber), and a so-called SAP sheet in which a superabsorbent polymer (SAP) is molded into a sheet shape. The absorbent core 11A may also be formed by stacking a SAP sheet and a molded product of liquid-absorbent fiber in the thickness direction, and may be formed by stacking a SAP sheet, a molded product of liquid-absorbent fiber, and a SAP sheet in this order from the skin side in the thickness direction. The left-right length of the absorbent core 11A of the diaper 1 is approximately equal to the left-right length of the absorbent body 11. Examples of the core wrap sheet include a liquid-permeable sheet such as tissue paper or nonwoven fabric. Note that the configuration may not include a core wrap sheet.

[0048] As shown in Fig. 2, the leg-hole elastic members 17 provided on both sides in the left-right direction of the absorbent main body 10 constitute leg gathers. The leg gathers of the diaper 1 in a pants-type state are provided along each leg-hole opening LH, and the leg-hole elastic members 17 elastically stretch the diaper 1 so that it fits around the legs of the wearer. The leg-hole elastic members 17 of the diaper 1 are made of a plurality of rubber threads, and are fixed in a stretched state in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent main body 10 between the back sheet 15 and the exterior sheet 16, for example, between the exterior sheets 16 that are folded inward in the left-right direction to form two layers.

[0049] The absorbent main body 10 has leakproof wall stretchable members 18 on both left-right side portions, inside the leg-hole stretchable members 17. A plurality of leakproof wall stretchable members 18 are fixed in a longitudinally stretched state between the two side sheets 14 that are folded back outward in the left-right direction to form a pair of leakproof wall portions along the longitudinal direction. When the diaper 1 is worn, the leakproof wall portions rise up against the wearer's skin due to the stretchability exhibited by the leakproof wall stretchable members 18, and fit the wearer's crotch area.

[0050] Examples of the leg opening elastic member 17 and the leak preventing wall elastic member 18 include rubber thread and elastic sheets.

[0051] The abdominal waist portion 20 has a skin side sheet 21, a non-skin side sheet 22, and a plurality of waist stretch members 23 that stretch in the left-right direction. The skin side sheet 21 and the non-skin side sheet 22 are joined together in a laminated state by a joining means such as an adhesive such as hot melt, or by welding using heat or ultrasonic waves. The skin side sheet 21 and the non-skin side sheet 22 are sheet members of approximately the same size and shape, and in this embodiment, have an approximately rectangular shape. The non-skin side sheet 22 is disposed on the non-skin side of the skin side sheet 21. As the skin side sheet 21 and the non-skin side sheet 22, non-stretch sheets such as SMS nonwoven fabric (spunbond, meltblown, spunbond nonwoven fabric), spunbond nonwoven fabric, air-through nonwoven fabric, point-bond nonwoven fabric, stretch nonwoven fabric, plastic sheet, perforated plastic sheet, and laminate sheets thereof can be used.

[0052] The multiple waistline stretch members 23 of the ventral waistline portion 20 are arranged in a line in the vertical direction between the skin side sheet 21 and the non-skin side sheet 22, and are fixed in a stretched state in the left-right direction. Therefore, the ventral waistline portion 20 stretches in the left-right direction to fit the waistline of the wearer. Examples of the waistline stretch members 23 include stretch members such as rubber and spandex. The ventral waistline portion 20 has an engaged portion 25 on the non-skin side of the non-skin side sheet 22 that can engage with an engaging portion 51 (described later) of the fastening portion 5. The engaged portion 25 is a so-called target area, and can be, for example, a nonwoven fabric sheet. In addition, when a male member of a hook-and-loop fastener is used for the engaging portion 51, it is preferable to select an engaged portion according to the engaging portion 51, such as using a female member of a hook-and-loop fastener for the engaged portion 25. Furthermore, instead of providing a separate member on the non-skin side of the non-skin side sheet 22, the engaged portion 25 may be directly engaged with the non-skin side of the non-skin side sheet 22 by using a non-skin side sheet 22 made of a member (e.g., nonwoven fabric) that can engage with the engaging portion 51. However, conversely to the above, the engaged portion 25 of the ventral side waist portion 20 may be a male member of a hook-and-loop fastener, and the engaging portion 51 of the fastening portion 5 (the surface facing the ventral side waist portion 20) may be a nonwoven fabric sheet, a female member of a hook-and-loop fastener, or the like.

[0053] In this embodiment, the skin side of the engaged portion 25 is provided with a marking portion 60 that serves as a reference (mark) for the fastening position of the fastening portion 5 when engaging the engaging portion 51. In Figs. 1 and 2, the marking portion 60 showing the contour shape of the fastening portion 5 is displayed so as to be visible from the outside (non-skin side). The marking portion 60 is adjusted so that when the diaper 1 is worn by a wearer, the contour of the fastening portion 5 is matched and engaged with the marking portion 60, so that the left and right lengths of the waist portions 20, 30 extending outward in the left and right directions from the absorbent body 11 located in the crotch area of ​​the wearer can be made the same or close to each other. That is, by engaging the fastening portion 5 with the position of the marking portion 60, the contraction force, tightening, etc. are well balanced on both the left and right sides of the waist portion, and the wearer is less likely to feel uncomfortable when wearing the diaper 1. Hereinafter, the state in which the fastening portion 5 is engaged with the position of the marking portion 60 at the waist portion of the diaper 1 is also referred to as the "reference wearing state".

[0054] The shape of the mark part 60 is not limited to a shape that follows the entire outer contour of the fastening part 5, but may also follow a part of the outer contour. Also, the mark part 60 may be a colored part in which the part inside the outer contour is colored, or may be configured by arranging small patterns such as dots, stars, flowers, etc.

[0055] The back waist portion 30 has a skin side sheet 31, a non-skin side sheet 32, and a plurality of waist stretch members 33 that stretch in the left-right direction. The skin side sheet 31 and the non-skin side sheet 32 ​​are laminated together and joined by a joining means such as an adhesive such as hot melt, or welding using heat or ultrasonic waves. The skin side sheet 31 and the non-skin side sheet 32 ​​are sheet members of approximately the same size and shape, and in this embodiment, have an approximately rectangular shape. The non-skin side sheet 32 ​​is disposed on the non-skin side of the skin side sheet 31. As the skin side sheet 31 and the non-skin side sheet 32, for example, a non-stretch sheet such as polypropylene SMS nonwoven fabric (spunbond, meltblown, spunbond nonwoven fabric), spunbond nonwoven fabric, air-through nonwoven fabric, point-bond nonwoven fabric, stretch nonwoven fabric, plastic sheet, perforated plastic sheet, and laminate sheets thereof can be used.

[0056] The multiple waistline elastic members 33 of the back waistline portion 30 are arranged in a line in the vertical direction between the skin side sheet 31 and the non-skin side sheet 32, and are fixed in a stretched state in the left-right direction. Therefore, the ventral waistline portion 20 and the back waistline portion 30 each stretch in the left-right direction to fit the waistline of the wearer. Examples of the waistline elastic members 33 include elastic members such as rubber and spandex.

[0057] The fastening part 5 is a so-called tab (knob) member, and is a member used to form a waist opening when the ventral waist portion 20 is cut. Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion X in Fig. 2. In the fastening part 5 of this embodiment, a base end portion (the other side in the left-right direction in Fig. 2, etc.) of the fastening part 5 is fixed to the other side of the left-right center of the ventral waist portion 20, and a tip end portion (one side in the left-right direction in Fig. 2, etc.) of the fastening part 5 has an engagement part 51 that detachably engages with the non-skin side surface of the ventral waist portion 20.

[0058] The fastening part 5 is a gripping part that is grasped by the wearer or a person who is putting the diaper 1 on the wearer (hereinafter also referred to as the "wearer, etc."), and therefore it is preferable that the fastening part 5 itself has a strength that does not break. As the fastening part 5, for example, various films such as plastic film and nylon film, nonwoven fabric, and film laminated with nonwoven fabric can be used. The fastening part 5 of the diaper 1 of this embodiment uses a three-layered sheet-like member in which nonwoven fabric of the same size is layered on both sides of a plastic film.

[0059] The engaging portion 51 is provided on the skin side of the fastening portion 5 and is a member that can detachably engage with the non-skin side of the abdominal waist portion 20 (specifically, the engaged portion 25). Examples of the engaging portion 51 include a male member of a hook-and-loop fastener and an adhesive material such as an adhesive sheet. The engaging portion 51 in this embodiment is substantially rectangular in shape, but may be any shape such as round. When the diaper 1 in this embodiment is opened from the package, as shown in FIG. 2, the fastening portion 5 (the engaging portion 51) is engaged with the engaged portion 25 on the other side in the left-right direction than the mark portion 60. That is, the diaper 1 before opening is distributed in the form of pants in which the fastening portion 5 is temporarily attached on the other side in the left-right direction than the mark portion 60.

[0060] As shown in Fig. 3 etc., the fastening part 5 is fixed to the ventral waist part 20 by a fixing part F1 and an auxiliary fixing part F2. In this embodiment, the fixing part F1 and the auxiliary fixing part F2 are welded parts that join the fastening part 5 and the ventral waist part 20 in the thickness direction by heat welding, ultrasonic welding or the like. The fastening part 5 is fixed to the ventral waist part 20 mainly by the fixing part F1, and the auxiliary fixing part F2 assists the fixing by the fixing part F1.

[0061] ===How to wear diaper 1=== The diaper 1 of this embodiment can be worn in advance by cutting the ventral waist portion 20 along the cutting guide portion so that one side in the left-right direction is in the form of a pants-type diaper (with leg openings LH formed), and the other side in the left-right direction is in the form of a tape-type diaper (without leg openings LH formed).

[0062] First, the ventral waist portion 20 is cut along the cutting guide portion, and one of the wearer's legs (the wearer's right leg in the case of diaper 1) is passed through the leg opening LH on one side in the left-right direction (in the form of a pants-type diaper).The diaper 1 is then pulled up to the wearer's crotch area, and the engagement portion 51 of the fastening portion 5 is then engaged with the ventral waist portion 20 so as to fit the wearer's waist, thereby forming a waist opening, and the diaper is put on.

[0063] By putting on the diaper in this manner, even for an infant who has difficulty passing both legs through the leg openings LH, LH on both sides of a pants-type disposable diaper by flapping his / her legs, if the wearer can pass one leg through the leg opening LH, the fastening part 5 (engagement part 51) can be engaged to put on the diaper easily. In addition, when the wearer puts on the diaper 1, it may be difficult for the wearer to put on a typical tape-type diaper (a diaper with tapes on both sides in the left and right direction) in a toilet or the like. However, by making one side in the left and right direction a pants-type diaper and the other side a (tape-type) diaper with the fastening part 5, it becomes easy to put on and the fit of the waist can be adjusted. As described above, when engaging the fastening part 5 (engagement part 51) with the abdominal waist part 20, it is preferable to engage the fastening part 5 with the position of the mark part 60 displayed on the non-skin side of the abdominal waist part 20 (engaged part 25).

[0064] Furthermore, when removing the diaper 1 from the body after use, the ventral waist portion 20 can be separated at the cutting guide portion, the other left-right side of the diaper 1 can be removed from the wearer's body, and one side of the legs can be pulled out from one of the left-right leg openings LH.

[0065] ===About cutting the abdominal waist portion 20=== The cutting of the ventral waist portion 20 will be described with reference to Figs. 4 and 5. Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating the separation of the ventral waist portion 20 and the formation of a waist opening. Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating the operation of cutting the ventral waist portion 20. Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a cross section taken along the line A-A in Fig. 3. Note that Figs. 4 and 5 are schematic diagrams and the dimensions are not necessarily accurate.

[0066] Fig. 4A shows the diaper 1 in the pants-type state shown in Fig. 1 etc. In other words, the ventral waist portion 20 is not cut, and the ventral waist portion 20 and the rear waist portion 30 form a continuous waist opening via the side joint portions 2a, 2b. Figs. 4B and 5A show a state in which the tip of the fastening portion 5 is grasped and pulled up toward the non-skin side from the state shown in Fig. 4A.

[0067] Then, as shown in Fig. 5A, the ventral waist portion 20 is grasped with one hand and the fastening portion 5 is grasped with the other hand and pulled outward in the left-right direction, whereby the ventral waist portion 20 is cut along the cutting guide portion and separated into one side and the other side in the left-right direction as shown in Figs. 4C and 5B. The "cutting guide portion" is a guide portion for cutting at least a part of the ventral waist portion 20. In the diaper 1, the fixing portion F1 that fixes the ventral waist portion 20 and the fastening portion 5 functions as the cutting guide portion. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 5A, when the ventral waist portion 20 and the fastening portion 5 are pulled in the left-right direction while being held, the pulling force is first concentrated on the cut induction origin K (see Fig. 3), which is the end of the cut induction portion (fixing portion F1) closest to the tip end, and then the force is transmitted along the inclined portion that slopes upward and toward the base end from the cut induction origin K of the cut induction portion and the inclined portion that slopes downward and toward the base end from the cut induction origin K. Then, the ventral waist portion 20 is cut at the other end CE of the fixing portion F1 in the left-right direction, and the ventral waist portion 20 is separated into the other side part having the fastening portion 5 and the one side part not having the fastening portion 5.

[0068] Thereafter, as necessary, as shown in Fig. 4D, the engaging portion 51 of the fastening part 5 is engaged with the engaged portion 25 of the ventral-side waistline portion 20 to form a waistline opening in the diaper 1. In a state in which the engaging portion 51 is engaged with the engaged portion 25, the engaging portion 51 may be engaged with the engaged portion 25 such that one side portion and the other side portion in the left-right direction of the separated ventral-side waistline portion 20 overlap in the front-rear direction (thickness direction), or the engaging portion 51 may be engaged with the engaged portion 25 such that one side portion and the other side portion in the left-right direction of the separated ventral-side waistline portion 20 do not overlap in the front-rear direction (thickness direction). The size of the waistline opening in the diaper 1 can be adjusted by adjusting the position at which the engaging portion 51 is engaged.

[0069] However, the fixing portion F1 is not limited to being the cutting guide portion, and a cutting guide portion capable of guiding the cutting of the ventral waist portion 20 may be provided by providing a perforation or a low basis weight portion, etc. Furthermore, the diaper 1 does not necessarily have to have a cutting guide portion. The wearer or the like may cut the ventral waist portion 20 at a desired position with a blade or by hand.

[0070] In this embodiment, the diaper 1 is distributed in a state in which the ventral waist portion 20 and the rear waist portion 30 are joined at the side joining portions 2a, 2b, and a user who removes the diaper 1 from the package separates the ventral waist portion 20 at the fastening portion F1, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the diaper 1 may be contained in a package in a state in which the portions that connect the waist portions with the fastening portion are separated in advance.

[0071] ===About the fit of the LH leg opening when wearing Diaper 1=== As described above, when wearing an absorbent article (diaper) in which one side in the left-right direction is pants-type and the other side is tape-type, the wearer passes his / her legs through the leg openings provided on one side and pulls up to the crotch area. However, in conventional diapers, the force of gripping and pulling up the waist part is not easily transmitted to the leg openings, and the leg openings are not pulled up firmly and are difficult to fit to the wearer's groin area. In addition, since the leg openings are difficult to fit and tend to shift out of position, it is easy to have to repeatedly re-engage the fastening part on the other side in the left-right direction to prevent gaps from occurring between the wearer's body and the leg openings, or to finely adjust the position of the leg openings, which is time-consuming.

[0072] In contrast, in the diaper 1 of this embodiment, the fitting of the leg openings LH during putting on the diaper 1 is improved, thereby reducing the effort required during putting on the diaper 1. The fitting of the leg openings LH during putting on the diaper 1 will be described below. Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of one side in the left-right direction (one side of the center C) of the abdominal waist portion 20 and the absorbent main body 10 in a stretched state.

[0073] In FIG. 6, the region of the ventral waistline portion 20 where the waistline stretchable members 23 are provided below the vertical center of the side joint 2b is defined as the waistline lower stretchable region BE (hereinafter also referred to as the "lower stretchable region BE"). Here, the "region where the waistline stretchable members 23 are provided" refers to the region where the stretching force of the waistline stretchable members 23 acts. Specifically, it refers to the region surrounded by the uppermost waistline stretchable member 23 and the lowermost waistline stretchable member 23 in the region below the vertical center of the side joint 2b in the ventral waistline portion 20. In FIG. 6, the region hatched with diagonal lines extending from the upper left to the lower right is the lower stretchable region BE. This lower stretchable region BE is a region along the periphery of the leg openings LH on one side of the diaper 1 in the horizontal direction, and is a region that imparts horizontal stretchability to the leg openings LH.

[0074] In addition, in FIG. 6, the region of the absorbent main body 10 where the leg-hole elastic members 17 are provided is referred to as the leg-hole elastic region LE. The "region where the leg-hole elastic members 17 are provided" refers to the region where the elastic force of the leg-hole elastic members 17 acts. Specifically, it refers to the region surrounded by the leg-hole elastic member 17 provided on the most one side and the leg-hole elastic member 17 provided on the most other side in the left-right direction in the end region on one side of the absorbent main body 10. In FIG. 6, the region hatched with diagonal lines from the lower left to the upper right is the leg-hole elastic region LE. This leg-hole elastic region LE is a region along the periphery of the leg-hole opening LH on one side of the diaper 1 in the left-right direction, and is a region that imparts vertical elasticity to the leg-hole opening LH.

[0075] The leg-around stretchable member 17 is provided on one and the other left-right sides of the absorbent main body 10, and a stretchable region is also formed on the other left-right side; however, in this specification, unless otherwise specified, the stretchable region formed on one side of the absorbent main body 10 in the left-right direction is referred to as the leg-around stretchable region LE.

[0076] In the diaper 1, when viewed in the front-rear direction, a part of the waist elastic member 23 and a part of the leg elastic member 17 are arranged to intersect with each other, and the lower elastic region BE and the leg elastic region LE have an overlapping portion (a portion corresponding to an intersection region IR described below). Therefore, when putting on the diaper 1, after the wearer's legs are passed through the leg openings LH on one side in the left-right direction, when the waist portion (ventral waist portion 20) is grasped and pulled upward, a force is transmitted to the leg elastic member 17 via the waist elastic member 23, and the leg elastic regions LE are easily pulled up.

[0077] 6, when viewed in the front-rear direction, a part of the waist stretchable member 23 and a part of the leg stretchable member 17 cross each other, but even if the leg stretchable member 17 is short and the waist stretchable member 23 and the leg stretchable member 17 do not cross directly, the same effect as described above may be expected. For example, if there is a part where the extension line of the leg stretchable member 17 and the waist stretchable member 23 cross, the force that grips and pulls the waist part (ventral waist part 20) upward is more easily transmitted from the waist stretchable member 23 to the leg stretchable member 17, making it easier to pull up the leg stretchable regions LE, compared to when they do not cross at all.

[0078] Furthermore, in the diaper 1, the force required to stretch the lower elasticated region BE by a predetermined length in the left-right direction divided by the vertical width WBE of the lower elasticated region BE is greater than the force required to stretch the leg elasticated region LE by a predetermined length in the up-down direction divided by the left-right width WLE of the leg elasticated region LE. In other words, the force required to stretch the unit width region of the lower elasticated region BE by a predetermined length in the left-right direction is greater than the force required to stretch the unit width region of the leg elasticated region LE by a predetermined length in the up-down direction. Therefore, when the waistline portion (abdominal waistline portion 20) is grasped and pulled upward, the leg elasticated region LE can be easily stretched in the up-down direction with a force weaker than the force acting in the left-right direction to stretch the lower elasticated region BE, and compared to the reverse case, the leg elasticated region LE can be easily pulled up in conjunction with the lower elasticated region BE. This allows the leg openings LH along the leg elasticated regions LE and the lower elasticated region BE to easily fit the groin area of ​​the wearer at least on the front side (ventral side) in the front-to-rear direction.

[0079] Furthermore, the leg openings LH (leg stretchable regions LE and lower stretchable region BE) fit the wearer's groin, making it difficult for gaps to form between the leg openings LH and the wearer's skin (groin). Therefore, when engaging the fastening part 5 (engagement part 51) after pulling up the waist part (ventral waist part 20), the labor required to adjust the position of the leg openings LH by repeatedly attaching and detaching the fastening part to close the gap in the groin is reduced, and the operation of engaging the fastening part 5 (engagement part 51) can be stably and easily performed.

[0080] The operation of engaging the fastening part 5 (engaging part 51) with the abdominal waist part 20 (engaged part 25) is often performed with the wearer lying on his / her back. Therefore, the leg openings LH are pressed against the wearer's buttocks at the rear side (back side) in the front-to-rear direction, making it difficult for the leg openings LH (leg opening stretchable areas LE and lower stretchable areas BE) to shift out of position at least at the front side (abdominal side) in the front-to-rear direction, thereby making it possible to stably engage the fastening part 5 (engaging part 51).

[0081] The force required to stretch the lower elastic region BE by a predetermined length in the left-right direction can be measured as follows: Figures 7A to 7C are diagrams illustrating a method for measuring the elastic force of the lower elastic region BE.

[0082] When measuring the stretching force of the lower elastic region BE, first, as shown in FIG. 7A, a portion to be measured (lower elastic region BE) is cut out as a sample from the diaper 1. Specifically, the side joints 2a, 2b of the diaper 1 are peeled off to lay it out, and then the joint between the ventral waistline portion 20 and the absorbent body 10 is released to separate the ventral waistline portion 20 alone. Then, the portion corresponding to the lower elastic region BE described in FIG. 6 is cut out. At this time, the cutout is performed so that portions that will become the gripping allowances Ga remain on both the left and right sides of the lower elastic region BE. If it is not possible to secure a sufficiently large gripping allowance Ga on one of the left and right sides in FIG. 7A, the gripping allowance Ga may be formed by joining another member with an adhesive or the like.

[0083] After cutting out the sample, a tensile tester 70 (e.g., Instron Model 5965 or equivalent) is used to perform the measurement. As shown in FIG. 7B, the initial distance L1 of a pair of chucks (fixtures) 71, 71 spaced apart in the tensile direction is adjusted to a length that does not loosen the sample (lower stretchable region BE) or that slightly loosens it, in accordance with the left-right length of the lower stretchable region BE, which is the sample. Then, the gripping allowance Ga of the sample (lower stretchable region BE) in the natural state is clamped by the chuck 71. As described above, the "natural state" refers to a state in which the sample is left unloaded for a predetermined time. The gripping allowance Ga on one side in the left-right direction is clamped by the chuck 71 on one side, and the gripping allowance Ga on the other side in the left-right direction is clamped by the chuck 71 on the other side.

[0084] Next, as shown in FIG. 7C, the distance between the pair of chucks 71, 71 is increased in the tensile direction at a speed of 100 mm / min. The lower stretchable region BE of the sample is stretched in the left-right direction until the distance between the pair of chucks 71, 71 becomes a predetermined length L2. For example, the sample is stretched in a range that includes at least a contraction rate corresponding to the minimum waist circumference of the wearer and a contraction rate corresponding to the maximum waist circumference of the wearer. Next, from the state in which the lower stretchable region BE is stretched, the distance between the pair of chucks 71, 71 is decreased at a speed of 100 mm / min until the distance between the pair of chucks 71, 71 returns to the initial distance L1. Note that the measurement of the stretch force of the lower stretchable region BE of the diaper 1 was performed under the conditions of initial distance L1 = 30 mm, L2 = 90 mm, but the length of L2 may be appropriately adjusted according to the length of the initial distance L1 in the natural state of the sample.

[0085] This cycle is repeated twice. Then, during the second cycle of tension, the length of the stretched lower stretchable region BE in the left-right direction and the stretching force acting on the lower stretchable region BE at that time (the force required to stretch the lower stretchable region BE to that length) are recorded in correspondence with each other. Also, during the second cycle of contraction, the contraction rate of the contracted lower stretchable region BE (the left-right length of the lower stretchable region BE) and the contraction force acting on the lower stretchable region BE at that time (the force required to contract the lower stretchable region BE to that length) are recorded in correspondence with each other. Then, by dividing the recorded force by the vertical width (L20 / 2) of the lower stretchable region BE, the magnitude of the force per unit width when the lower stretchable region BE is stretched in the left-right direction can be obtained.

[0086] The magnitude of the stretching force of the leg-hole stretchable regions LE and other members can be obtained in a substantially similar manner.

[0087] Similarly to the ventral waist portion 20, the dorsal waist portion 30 also has a waist lower stretchable region BE (lower stretchable region BE) formed in a region below the vertical center of the side joint 2b, where the waist stretchable member 33 is provided (not shown in FIG. 6).

[0088] 2, when the back waist portion 30 is viewed in the front-rear direction, a part of the waist elastic member 33 and a part of the leg elastic member 17 (or an extension thereof) are arranged to cross each other on one side in the left-right direction (one side of the center C). In addition, in the ventral waist portion 20 and the back waist portion 30, the value obtained by dividing the force required to stretch the lower elastic region BE by a predetermined length along the left-right direction by the vertical width of the lower elastic region BE is greater than the value obtained by dividing the force required to stretch the leg elastic region LE by a predetermined length along the up-down direction by the left-right width of the leg elastic region LE. In other words, the force (total force of the ventral and back sides) for stretching the unit width region of the lower elastic region BE by a predetermined length in the left-right direction is greater than the force for stretching the unit width region of the leg elastic region LE by a predetermined length in the up-down direction.

[0089] As a result, when the waist portion (ventral waist portion 20 and rear waist portion 30) is grasped and pulled up during the putting action of the diaper 1, force is transmitted to the leg stretchable member 17 via the ventral waist stretchable member 23 and rear waist stretchable member 33, making it easier to pull up the leg stretchable region LE. The leg stretchable region LE can be stretched up and down with a force weaker than the force acting in the direction stretching the rear and ventral lower stretchable region BE in the left-right direction, making it easier to pull up the leg stretchable region LE compared to the opposite case. Therefore, the leg openings LH along the leg stretchable region LE and the lower stretchable region BE can easily fit the wearer's groin on both the ventral and rear sides.

[0090] In the diaper 1, at least one waistline stretchable member 23 (33) and at least one legline stretchable member 17 intersect with each other on one left-right side of the ventral waistline portion 20 and the back waistline portion 30 when viewed in the front-rear direction (see Figs. 2 and 6). The force required to stretch one waistline stretchable member 23 (33) that intersects with the legline stretchable member 17 by a predetermined length in the left-right direction is greater than the force required to stretch one legline stretchable member 17 that intersects with the waistline stretchable member 23 (33) by a predetermined length in the up-down direction.

[0091] That is, of the waistline elastic member 23(33) and the legline elastic member 17 which cross each other, the waistline elastic member 23(33) has a greater elasticity than the legline elastic member 17. Therefore, when the waistline part is pulled up during putting on the diaper 1, a force is likely to act directly on the legline elastic member 17 which crosses the waistline elastic member 23(33), and the legline elastic member 17 is likely to be pulled up in conjunction with the waistline elastic member 23(33), and the legline openings LH are likely to fit closely to the groin area. As a result, when the fastening part 5 (engagement part 51) is engaged on the other side in the left-right direction, the legline openings LH are unlikely to shift position on one side in the left-right direction, making it easier to put on the diaper 1.

[0092] In reality, when viewed in the front-rear direction on one side of the left-right direction, multiple waistline stretchable members 23 (33) cross each other with the legline stretchable members 17. It is preferable that the force required to extend the multiple waistline stretchable members 23 (33) that cross the legline stretchable members 17 by a predetermined length in the left-right direction is greater than the force required to extend the multiple legline stretchable members 17 that cross the waistline stretchable members 23 (33) by a predetermined length in the up-down direction.

[0093] In this case, when the waist portion is pulled up during putting on the diaper 1, a larger force is likely to act on the leg elastic members 17 that intersect with the waist elastic members 23 (33). As a result, the leg elastic members 17 are likely to be pulled up in conjunction with the mutually intersecting waist elastic members 23 (33), and the leg openings LH are likely to fit more closely to the groin area. Therefore, when engaging the fastening portion 5 (engagement portion 51), the leg openings LH are less likely to shift position, making it easier to put on the diaper 1.

[0094] In addition, the multiple waistline stretchable members 23, 23... provided in the lower stretchable region BE have some parts that intersect with the leg-line stretchable members 17 when viewed in the front-rear direction, and some do not. In FIG. 6, of the multiple waistline stretchable members 23 provided in the lower stretchable region BE, the two waistline stretchable members 23 arranged on the lower side have parts that intersect with the leg-line stretchable members 17, and the three waistline stretchable members 23 arranged on the upper side do not have parts that intersect with the leg-line stretchable members 17. It is preferable that the force required to stretch the waistline stretchable members 23 having parts that intersect with the leg-line stretchable members 17 by a predetermined length along the left-right direction is smaller than the force required to stretch the waistline stretchable members 23 not having parts that intersect with the leg-line stretchable members 17 by a predetermined length along the left-right direction. In other words, it is preferable that the waistline stretchable members 23 having parts that intersect with the leg-line stretchable members 17 are more likely to stretch in the left-right direction with a weaker force than the waistline stretchable members 23 not having parts that intersect with the leg-line stretchable members 17.

[0095] 6, the waist elastic member 23 having a portion intersecting with the leg elastic member 17 is disposed in a position close to the periphery of the leg openings LH. Therefore, if the waist elastic member 23 having a portion intersecting with the leg elastic member 17 is easily elastic, the region along the periphery of the leg openings LH on one side in the left-right direction of the ventral waist portion 20 is more easily elastic in the left-right direction than the other region, and the leg openings LH are more easily opened. This makes it easier for the wearer to widen the leg openings LH when putting on the diaper 1, and also makes it less likely for the wearer's legs to get caught on the periphery of the leg openings LH when putting the legs through the leg openings LH.

[0096] In the lower stretchable region BE, the area where the waistline stretchable member 23 and the legline stretchable member 17 intersect when viewed in the front-rear direction (the area surrounded by the thick line in FIG. 6) is defined as an intersection area IR. At this time, the length LIR in the vertical direction of the intersection area IR is shorter than the length WA in the left-right direction of the waistline stretchable member 23 provided on the other left-right side of the intersection area IR (LIR <WA)。

[0097] In this configuration, the influence of the stretching force of the waist stretchable member 23 (part of length WA) is greater than in the opposite case (LI>RWA), and the intersecting area IR is more likely to be pulled to the other side in the left-right direction (toward the center C of the diaper 1). Therefore, when the fastening part 5 provided at the tip of the back waist part 30 is pulled to the other side in the left-right direction and turned toward the ventral waist part 20 to engage with the engaged part 25 during the putting on of the diaper 1, the intersecting area IR is more likely to resist the force pulling it one step to the left-right direction in conjunction with the back waist part 30. This makes it difficult for the position of the leg openings LH (the position of the intersecting area IR) to shift relative to the wearer's groin, and the fit of the leg openings LH is less likely to deteriorate.

[0098] Fig. 8 is a partially enlarged view of the diaper 1 in an extended state, showing the state when the fastening part 5 is engaged with the ventral waist part 20 in alignment with the position of the marker part 60. Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of part Y in Fig. 8. When the diaper 1 is viewed in the front-rear direction in a state in which the fastening part 5 (engagement part 51) is engaged in alignment with the position of the marker part 60, the waist stretchable member 23 has a part that intersects with the leg stretchable member 17 (or an extension thereof) on the other left-right side (the side where the fastening part 5 is provided) as shown in Figs. 8 and 9.

[0099] On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 2, when the diaper 1 is opened from the package (when the fastening part 5 is engaged with the marker part 60 at the other left-right side), the waist stretchable member 23 and the leg stretchable member 17 do not intersect. That is, before the fastening part 5 (engagement part 51) is aligned with the marker part 60 and engaged with the other left-right side (the fastening part 5 side), the leg stretchable member 17 does not exert a vertical stretching force on the waist stretchable member 23. Therefore, before the diaper 1 is opened from the package, the stretching forces of the waist stretchable member 23 and the leg stretchable member 17 are not easily linked, and unnecessary external force is not easily applied to the fastening part 5, so that the state in which the engaging part 51 is engaged with the engaged part 25 can be easily maintained stably.

[0100] In contrast to this, when the fastening portion 5 (engagement portion 51) is engaged with the position of the marker portion 60 while wearing the diaper 1 (when the above-mentioned standard wearing state is set), the stretching force of the leg elastic members 17 is likely to act on the waist elastic member 23 on the other side in the left-right direction. As a result, the stretching force in the left-right direction exerted by the waist elastic member 23 and the stretching force in the up-down direction exerted by the leg elastic members 17 work together to easily exert a stretching force along the periphery of the leg openings LH. Therefore, the leg openings LH are more likely to fit the groin of the wearer on the other side in the left-right direction, improving the fit of the diaper 1 when worn.

[0101] In addition, in a state where the fastening portion 5 (engagement portion 51) is engaged with the position of the marker portion 60 (standard wearing state), when viewed in the front-rear direction as shown in FIG. 9, one end 23ei of the waistline stretchable member 23 in the left-right direction is located on the other side of the leg-line stretchable member 17i located on the most left-right side in the left-right direction. This makes it difficult for the waistline stretchable member 23 to exert an excessively large left-right stretching force, compared to a case where one end 23ei of the waistline stretchable member 23 in the left-right direction is located on the one side of the leg-line stretchable member 17i in the left-right direction. Therefore, it is easy to perform the operation of engaging the fastening portion 5 (engagement portion 51) with the position of the marker portion 60, and the engagement between the engagement portion 51 and the engaged portion 25 is difficult to be released.

[0102] In a state where the fastening portion 5 (engagement portion 51) is engaged with the position of the marker portion 60 (standard wearing state), at least a part of the waist stretchable member 23 and the leg stretchable member 17 intersect on the other side in the left-right direction of the leg stretchable member 17i. Therefore, the waist stretchable member 23 and the leg stretchable member 17 work together to easily apply a stretching force along the periphery of the leg opening LH. Therefore, on the other side in the left-right direction, the leg opening LH easily fits the groin of the wearer.

[0103] In addition, in a state where the fastening portion 5 (engagement portion 51) is engaged with the position of the marker portion 60 (standard wearing state), when viewed in the front-rear direction as shown in FIG. 9, the engagement portion 51 is located on one side in the left-right direction of the leg-line stretchable member 17i located on the most left-right side. Since the engagement portion 51 and the leg-line stretchable member 17 are misaligned in the left-right direction, the stretching force of the leg-line stretchable member 17 is less likely to act on the region of the engaged portion 25 of the abdominal waistline portion 20 that is engaged with the fastening portion 5 (engagement portion 51). Therefore, wrinkles and distortions are less likely to be formed in the region of the engaged portion 25 that is engaged with the fastening portion 5 (engagement portion 51) and the region is more likely to maintain a flat shape, so that the engaged portion 25 and the engagement portion 51 are less likely to come out of engagement with each other. This can further improve the fit of the diaper 1 when worn.

[0104] In addition, in a state where the fastening portion 5 (the engaging portion 51) is engaged with the position of the marker portion 60 (standard wearing state), when the abdominal waist portion is viewed in the front-rear direction as shown in FIG. 8, the length CRr in the left-right direction of the portion where the waist stretchable member 23 and the leg stretchable member 17 overlap on one side in the left-right direction is longer than the length CRl in the left-right direction of the portion where the waist stretchable member 23 and the leg stretchable member 17 overlap on the other side in the left-right direction. In other words, the width of the region where the waist stretchable member 23 and the leg stretchable member 17 intersect on one side in the left-right direction is larger than that on the other side in the left-right direction. Therefore, the force pulling up the waist portion is easily transmitted to the leg openings LH on the side where the wearer's legs pass through when putting on the diaper 1 (one side in the left-right direction), and the leg openings LH are more easily pulled up and fit the groin area compared to the opposite case.

[0105] Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B are diagrams for explaining the length of the elastic member along the periphery of the leg openings LH. Fig. 10A shows the leg openings LH on one side in the left-right direction when the pants-type diaper 1 is viewed from one side in the left-right direction. Fig. 10B shows the leg openings LH formed on the other side in the left-right direction when the diaper 1 is viewed from the other side in the left-right direction with the fastening part 5 (engagement part 51) engaged with the position of the marker part 60. Note that Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B both show the diaper 1 in an extended state.

[0106] In FIG. 10A, on one side in the left-right direction, the abdominal waistline portion 20 has a waistline stretchable member 23r arranged along the periphery of the leg opening LH. The waistline stretchable member 23r is a stretchable member arranged at the bottom in the vertical direction among the multiple waistline stretchable members 23, 23... Similarly, on one side in the left-right direction, the dorsal waistline portion 30 has a waistline stretchable member 33r arranged along the periphery of the leg opening LH. The waistline stretchable member 33r is a stretchable member arranged at the bottom in the vertical direction among the multiple waistline stretchable members 33, 33... Also, on one side in the left-right direction, the absorbent main body 10 has a legline stretchable member 17r arranged along the periphery of the leg opening LH. The legline stretchable member 17r is a stretchable member arranged at the bottom in the horizontal direction among the multiple legline stretchable members 17, 17...

[0107] Similarly, in FIG. 10B, on the other side in the left-right direction, the abdominal waistline portion 20 has a waistline stretchable member 23l arranged along the periphery of the leg opening LH. The waistline stretchable member 23l is a stretchable member arranged at the bottommost position in the vertical direction among the multiple waistline stretchable members 23, 23.... Also, on the other side in the left-right direction, the back waistline portion 30 has a waistline stretchable member 33l arranged along the periphery of the leg opening LH. The waistline stretchable member 33l is a stretchable member arranged at the bottommost position in the vertical direction among the multiple waistline stretchable members 33, 33.... Also, on the other side in the left-right direction, the absorbent main body 10 has a legline stretchable member 17l arranged along the periphery of the leg opening LH. The legline stretchable member 17l is a stretchable member arranged at the other side (outer side) in the left-right direction among the multiple legline stretchable members 17, 17....

[0108] In this case, in the diaper 1, the total length (L23r+L33r+L17r) of the length L23r of the waist stretchable member 23r arranged along the periphery of the leg opening LH on one side in the left-right direction, the length L33r of the waist stretchable member 33r, and the length L17r of the leg opening stretchable member 17r is longer than the total length (L23l+L33l+L17l) of the length L23l of the waist stretchable member 23l arranged along the periphery of the leg opening LH on the other side in the left-right direction, the length L33l of the waist stretchable member 33l, and the length L17l of the leg opening stretchable member 17l.

[0109] The leg opening LH on one side in the left-right direction is the opening through which the wearer's legs are first passed when putting on the diaper 1. In the diaper 1 in a stretched state, the length of the elastic member along the periphery of the leg opening LH on one side in the left-right direction is longer than the length of the elastic member along the periphery of the leg opening LH on the other side in the stretched state, so that the leg opening LH on one side in the left-right direction is more likely to widen and the wearer's legs are less likely to get caught when passing them through, compared to the reverse case. This makes it easier to put on the diaper 1 smoothly, and makes it easier to fit the leg opening LH on one side in the left-right direction to the wearer's groin.

[0110] The length L23r of the waistline stretchable member 23r corresponds to the distance (distance in the left-right direction) between the other end of the side joint 2b in the left-right direction and the leg-line stretchable member 17r in the unfolded state of FIG. 2. Similarly, the length L33r of the waistline stretchable member 33r corresponds to the distance (distance in the left-right direction) between the other end of the side joint 2b in the left-right direction and the leg-line stretchable member 17r in the unfolded state of FIG. 2. Also, the length L17r of the leg-line stretchable member 17r corresponds to the distance (distance in the up-down direction) between the waistline stretchable member 23r and the waistline stretchable member 33r in the unfolded state of FIG. 2. The same can be considered for L23l, L33l, and L17l.

[0111] Although Figures 10A and 10B illustrate the diaper 1 in an extended state, when the diaper 1 is in its natural state, it is preferable that the total length of the waist stretchable member 23r, which is arranged along the periphery of the leg opening LH on one side in the left-right direction, the length of the waist stretchable member 33r, and the length of the leg opening stretchable member 17r is longer than the total length of the waist stretchable member 23l, which is arranged along the periphery of the leg opening LH on the other side in the left-right direction, the length of the waist stretchable member 33l, and the length of the leg opening stretchable member 17l.

[0112] With this configuration, compared to the opposite case, even if the diaper 1 is not sufficiently pulled when putting the diaper 1 on, the wearer's legs are less likely to get caught when passing them through the leg openings LH on one side in the left-right direction. This makes it easier to put on the diaper 1 smoothly, and makes it easier to fit the leg openings LH around the wearer's groin on one side in the left-right direction.

[0113] ===Other embodiments=== Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the above embodiment is intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention may be modified or improved without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the present invention includes equivalents thereof. [Explanation of symbols]

[0114] 1 Diapers (disposable diapers, absorbent articles), 2a Side joint (other side), 2b Side joint (one side), 5 Fastening part, 10 absorbent body, 11 absorbent body, 11A absorbent core, 12 Top sheet, 13 Second sheet, 14 Side sheet, 15 Back seat, 16 Exterior seat, 17 Leg expansion member, 18 Leak prevention wall expansion member, 20 ventral girth, 21 skin side sheet, 22 non-skin side sheet, 23 waist circumference elastic member (abdominal side), 25 engaged portion, 30 Back waist circumference, 31 skin side sheet, 32 non-skin side sheet, 33 waist circumference elastic member (back side), 51 engagement portion, 60 Marking section, 70 Tensile testing machine, 71 Chuck, BH waist opening, LH leg opening, F1 fixed part, F2 auxiliary fixed part, BE waist stretch area, BE lower stretch area (lower waist stretch area), LE stretchable leg area, IR Crossover Range

Claims

1. The vertical direction, the horizontal direction, and the front-rear direction intersect with each other, An absorbent article having a waist portion including a ventral waist portion and a rear waist portion, and an absorbent body, One end of the ventral waist portion and the back waist portion in the left-right direction is joined at a side joint portion, a fastening part having an engagement part that detachably engages with a non-skin side surface of the waist part, The waist portion has a waist stretchable member that stretches in the left-right direction, The absorbent body has leg-hole elastic members that are elastic in the up-down direction on both sides in the left-right direction, On one side of the ventral waist portion in the left-right direction, When viewed in the front-rear direction, the waist stretchable member and the leg stretchable member or an extension thereof intersect at a portion, When a region where the waistline elastic member is provided on the waistline portion below the vertical center position of the side joint is defined as a lower elastic region, and a region where the leg-opening elastic member is provided on the absorbent main body is defined as a leg-opening elastic region, The force required to stretch the lower elastic region by a predetermined length along the left-right direction divided by the width of the lower elastic region in the up-down direction is a force required to stretch the leg opening stretchable region by the predetermined length along the vertical direction is greater than a value obtained by dividing the force by the width of the leg opening stretchable region in the horizontal direction; An absorbent article characterized by:

2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, On one side of the ventral waist portion and the back waist portion in the left-right direction, When viewed in the front-rear direction, the waist stretchable member and the leg stretchable member or their extensions intersect at the ventral waist portion and the back waist portion, respectively, The force required to stretch the lower elastic region by a predetermined length along the left-right direction divided by the width of the lower elastic region in the up-down direction is An absorbent article characterized in that the force required to stretch the leg-opening elasticated region by the specified length along the vertical direction is greater than the value obtained by dividing the width of the leg-opening elasticated region in the horizontal direction.

3. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, On one side of the ventral waist portion and the back waist portion in the left-right direction, When viewed in the front-rear direction, at least one of the waist elastic members and the leg elastic members intersects with each other, An absorbent article characterized in that the force required to stretch one of the intersecting waist elastic members by a predetermined length along the left-right direction is greater than the force required to stretch one of the intersecting leg elastic members by the predetermined length along the up-down direction.

4. The absorbent article according to claim 3, On one side of the ventral waist portion and the back waist portion in the left-right direction, When viewed in the front-rear direction, a plurality of the waist elastic members and the leg elastic members intersect with each other, An absorbent article, characterized in that the force required to stretch the intersecting waist elastic members by the specified length along the left-right direction is greater than the force required to stretch the intersecting leg elastic members by the specified length along the up-down direction.

5. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, On one side of the ventral waist portion in the left-right direction, When viewed in the front-back direction, The force required to stretch the waist elastic member having a portion intersecting the leg elastic member in the lower elastic region by a predetermined length along the left-right direction is an absorbent article, characterized in that the force required to stretch the waist elastic member, which does not have a portion that intersects with the leg elastic member in the lower elastic region, by a predetermined length along the left-right direction.

6. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, On the ventral side in the front-rear direction and on the one side in the left-right direction, When viewed in the front-back direction, The length in the vertical direction of the range where the waistline elastic member and the legline elastic member intersect is an absorbent article characterized in that the length in the left-right direction of the waistline elastic member is shorter than the length in the left-right direction of the waistline elastic member provided on the other side of the range where the waistline elastic member and the legline elastic member intersect.

7. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, The abdominal waist portion is provided with a mark portion for engaging the fastening portion, When the absorbent article is opened, the fastening portion is engaged with the other side in the left-right direction relative to the position of the mark portion, On the other side in the left-right direction of the abdominal waist portion, When the absorbent article is opened, there is no intersection between the waist elastic member and the leg elastic member when viewed in the front-rear direction, When the fastening portion is engaged with the ventral waist portion in accordance with the position of the marker portion, the absorbent article has a portion where the waist elastic member and the leg elastic member or their extensions intersect when viewed in the front-to-rear direction.

8. 8. The absorbent article according to claim 7, On the other side in the left-right direction of the abdominal waist portion, When viewed in the front-rear direction with the fastening portion engaged with the abdominal waist portion in accordance with the position of the marker portion, An absorbent article characterized in that, in the left-right direction, the end on one side of the waist elastic member is located on the other side of the leg elastic member that is located furthest on the one side.

9. 8. The absorbent article according to claim 7, On the other side in the left-right direction of the abdominal waist portion, When viewed in the front-rear direction with the fastening portion engaged with the abdominal waist portion in accordance with the position of the marker portion, An absorbent article characterized in that, in the left-right direction, the engagement portion provided on the fastening portion is located on the one side of the leg opening elastic member that is located furthest on the one side.

10. 8. The absorbent article according to claim 7, In the elongated state, In a state where the fastening portion is engaged with the abdominal waist portion in accordance with the position of the mark portion, The total length of the waist elastic member and the leg elastic member arranged along the periphery of the leg opening on the one side in the left-right direction is an absorbent article characterized in that the length is longer than the combined length of the waist elastic member and the leg elastic member arranged along the periphery of the leg opening on the other side in the left-right direction.

11. 8. The absorbent article according to claim 7, In natural conditions, In a state where the fastening portion is engaged with the abdominal waist portion in accordance with the position of the mark portion, The total length of the waist elastic member and the leg elastic member arranged along the periphery of the leg opening on the one side in the left-right direction is an absorbent article characterized in that the length is longer than the combined length of the waist elastic member and the leg elastic member arranged along the periphery of the leg opening on the other side in the left-right direction.

12. 8. The absorbent article according to claim 7, In the ventral waist portion, When viewed in the front-rear direction with the fastening portion engaged with the abdominal waist portion in accordance with the position of the marker portion, The length in the left-right direction of the portion where the waist elastic member overlaps with the leg elastic member on the one side in the left-right direction is an absorbent article, characterized in that, on the other side in the left-right direction, the length of the waist elastic member in the left-right direction is longer than the length of the portion where the waist elastic member overlaps with the leg elastic member.

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