Absorbent article

Abstract

To provide an absorbent article which is equipped with a surface sheet with water-absorbing fibers as a main body and is excellent in a use feeling.SOLUTION: An absorbent article includes an absorber, a surface sheet, a rear surface sheet, and side sheets. The absorbent article has a vertical direction corresponding to a front and back direction of a wearer, a horizontal direction orthogonal to the vertical direction and corresponding to a left and right direction of the wearer, and a thickness direction orthogonal to the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. The surface sheet is disposed on a skin side of the absorber. The rear surface sheet is disposed on a non-skin side of the absorber. The side sheets are disposed on a skin side surface of the horizontal direction of both side parts of the surface sheet and extend vertically. The surface sheet includes water-absorbing fibers as a main body. The surface sheet has side bonded parts extending in the vertical direction bonded to the side sheets. The surface sheet is an area overlapping the side sheets in a plan view and has tears in the horizontal direction inside of the side bonded parts.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins. [Background technology]

[0002] An absorbent article generally comprises an absorbent body that absorbs excreted liquid, a top sheet arranged on the skin side of the absorbent body, and a back sheet arranged on the non-skin side of the absorbent body. As the top sheet, a nonwoven fabric made of cotton fiber is known from the viewpoints of realizing high water absorption and hygroscopicity and giving the wearer a sense of security due to natural fibers (for example, see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-289621 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] On the other hand, topsheets mainly made of absorbent fibers such as cotton fibers have high absorbency and tend to retain excreted liquids such as menstrual blood. For this reason, menstrual blood that is not quickly absorbed from the topsheet into the absorbent body and remains on the surface of the topsheet can give the wearer a wet feeling and cause discomfort. For this reason, there is a demand for absorbent articles that have a topsheet mainly made of absorbent fibers and yet provide a good feel when used.

[0005] The present invention relates to an absorbent article that has a topsheet mainly made of absorbent fibers and that is comfortable to use. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An absorbent article according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an absorbent body, a top sheet, a back sheet, and a side sheet. The absorbent article has a vertical direction corresponding to the front-to-back direction of a wearer, a horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and corresponding to the left-to-right direction of the wearer, and a thickness direction perpendicular to the vertical and horizontal directions. The top sheet is placed on the skin side of the absorbent body. The back sheet is placed on the non-skin side of the absorbent body. The side sheets are disposed on the skin side of both lateral sides of the top sheet and extend in the longitudinal direction. The top sheet mainly contains water-absorbent fibers. The top sheet has side joints extending in the longitudinal direction and joined to the side sheets. The top sheet has a crack on the lateral inner side of the side joint portion in a region overlapping with the side sheet in a plan view. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the absorbent article of the present invention, it is possible to provide an absorbent article which is provided with a topsheet mainly made of water-absorbent fibers and has a good feel when used. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a sanitary absorbent article according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the sanitary absorbent article as viewed from line II-II in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view of an absorbent body of the sanitary absorbent article. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of a sanitary absorbent article according to another embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a plan view of a sanitary absorbent article according to still another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] [Overall structure of napkins (absorbent articles)] An absorbent article 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention is configured as a sanitary napkin, and will be referred to as the napkin 1 hereinafter. As shown in Fig. 1, the napkin 1 comprises a main body M and a pair of wing portions W. The napkin 1 has a vertical direction X corresponding to the front-to-back direction of a wearer, and a horizontal direction Y corresponding to the left-to-right direction of the wearer and perpendicular to the vertical direction X. Furthermore, the napkin 1 has a thickness direction Z perpendicular to both the vertical direction X and the horizontal direction Y. The napkin 1 can be configured, for example, to be line-symmetric (bilaterally symmetric) with respect to a vertical center line CL that divides the napkin 1 in half in the horizontal direction Y.

[0011] In this specification, "inner side in the lateral direction Y" means the side approaching the longitudinal center line CL. "Outer side in the lateral direction Y" means the side away from the longitudinal center line CL. In this specification, "front side in the longitudinal direction X" means the front side in the longitudinal direction X, that is, the direction toward the wearer's abdomen. "Rear side in the longitudinal direction X" means the rear side in the longitudinal direction X, that is, the direction toward the wearer's back. In this specification, the skin side in the thickness direction Z means the side that is placed on the wearer's side when the napkin 1 is worn. The non-skin side in the thickness direction Z means the side that is placed on the clothing side when the napkin 1 is worn. In this specification, "plan view" means a plan view from the thickness direction Z.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the napkin 1 is divided into a middle region B including a portion facing the wearer's excretory part in the longitudinal direction X (hereinafter referred to as the "region facing the excretory part"), a front region A located forward of the middle region B in the longitudinal direction X, and a rear region C located rearward of the middle region B in the longitudinal direction X. In this embodiment, the excretory part is the vaginal opening. In FIG. 1, the middle region B is a region between the front and rear base ends of the wing portion W. The front region A is a region located forward of the middle region B (toward the wearer's abdomen). The rear region C is a region located rearward of the middle region B (toward the wearer's back).

[0013] The wing portions W extend outward in the lateral direction Y from the main body M in the intermediate region B. The wing portions W are used by being folded back onto the non-skin facing side of the crotch portion of an undergarment such as shorts.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 2, the napkin 1 comprises, in a main body M, an absorbent body 4, a topsheet 2, a backsheet 3, a sublayer sheet 5, and a side sheet 7. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the napkin 1 has a configuration in which the backsheet 3, the absorbent body 4, the sublayer sheet 5, the topsheet 2, and the side sheet 7 are laminated in this order in the thickness direction Z. These components are joined appropriately by, for example, compressed grooves, adhesives, heat sealing, etc., which will be described later.

[0015] The absorbent body 4 absorbs and retains bodily fluids such as menstrual blood from the skin side. In this embodiment, the absorbent body 4 has a laminated structure of absorbent sheets 40. The detailed configuration of the absorbent body 4 will be described later.

[0016] The topsheet 2 is placed on the skin side of the absorbent body 4. The topsheet 2 is a liquid-permeable sheet material, and as described below, contains mainly water-absorbent fibers.

[0017] The sublayer sheet 5 is disposed between the topsheet 2 and the absorbent body 4. The sublayer sheet 5 is disposed from the viewpoints of improving the permeability of liquid from the topsheet 2 to the absorbent body 4, and preventing liquid absorbed in the absorbent body 4 from returning to the topsheet 2. The detailed configuration of the sublayer sheet 5 will be described later. It is noted that the napkin 1 does not necessarily have to have a sublayer sheet 5.

[0018] The back sheet 3 is disposed on the non-skin side of the absorbent body 4. From the viewpoint of suppressing leakage of menstrual blood, the back sheet 3 is preferably made of a sheet material having functions such as poor liquid permeability and / or water repellency. Examples of such sheet materials include a thermoplastic resin film and a laminated sheet of such a film and a nonwoven fabric. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of improving wearing comfort, the back sheet 3 preferably has breathability and / or moisture permeability.

[0019] The non-skin side 3a of the backsheet 3 is provided with, for example, a main body fixing part 6a and a wing fixing part 6b for fixing the napkin 1 to an undergarment. The main body fixing part 6a is disposed on the backsheet 3 of the main body M. The wing fixing part 6b is disposed on the backsheet 3 of the wing part W. The main body fixing part 6a and the wing fixing part 6b can be made of, for example, an adhesive, a pressure-sensitive adhesive, a hook material, or the like.

[0020] In the example shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the napkin 1 is provided with a pair of side sheets 7 from the viewpoint of improving the leakproofness of the lateral direction Y side portions. The pair of side sheets 7 are arranged on the skin side surface 2a of both lateral direction Y side portions 28 of the top sheet 2. The material of the side sheets 7 is preferably a sheet material less hydrophilic than the top sheet 2, and specifically includes a nonwoven fabric, a film, and a laminated sheet of a nonwoven fabric and a film, which are less hydrophilic than the top sheet 2. The side sheets 7 and the back sheet 3 are joined to each other by a known joining means such as adhesive, heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, etc., at the extension portions from both side edges along the longitudinal direction X of the absorbent body 4. The wing portion W is formed by joining the side sheets 7 and the back sheet 3.

[0021] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, in this embodiment, the pair of side sheets 7 are joined to the top sheet 2 by a pair of linear side joints 20 extending along the longitudinal direction X. The side joints 20 include an embossed compressed portion 8 extending in the longitudinal direction X formed by compressing the top sheet 2 and the side sheet 7, and an adhesive portion 10a where the top sheet 2 and the side sheet 7 are adhered by an adhesive 10. The adhesive portion 10a has a strip shape extending in the longitudinal direction X. The embossed compressed portion 8 and the adhesive portion 10a partially overlap each other. The side joints 20 will be described later. In Fig. 1, the adhesive portion 10a is indicated by a dot.

[0022] In the example shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, it is preferable that the napkin 1 further comprises a main body compressed groove 9a compressed in the thickness direction Z from the topsheet 2. The main body compressed groove 9a is a linear groove formed on the periphery of the topsheet 2, and is formed by compressing the topsheet 2 in the thickness direction Z. As a result, as shown in Fig. 2, the main body compressed groove 9a has a configuration in which the topsheet 2 and the absorbent body 4 are integrally recessed toward the backsheet 3 side. The shape of the main body compressed groove 9a is arbitrary. In addition to the main body compressed groove 9a, the napkin 1 may also comprise auxiliary compressed grooves 9b arranged in the front region A and the rear region C. The napkin 1 may not have any compressed grooves.

[0023] [Detailed composition of the surface sheet] The top sheet 2 mainly contains absorbent fibers in order to achieve high water absorption and moisture absorption. By mainly containing absorbent fibers, the top sheet 2 can quickly absorb excreted liquid and sweat of the wearer. Furthermore, such a top sheet 2 can absorb water vapor derived from the liquid and sweat, and release the water vapor to the unused portion of the absorbent body 4 (i.e., the portion capable of absorbing excreted liquid). This effectively prevents stuffiness when the napkin 1 (absorbent article) is worn, improves the wearing comfort, and prevents skin troubles of the wearer.

[0024] "The topsheet 2 mainly contains water-absorbent fibers" means that the topsheet 2 contains 50% by mass or more of water-absorbent fibers. The topsheet 2 preferably contains 75% by mass or more, more preferably 90% by mass or more of water-absorbent fibers, and may be composed only of water-absorbent fibers.

[0025] In this specification, the term "absorbent fiber" refers to a fiber that has absorbency, i.e., the ability to absorb water, and can retain the absorbed water. More specifically, it is a fiber with an official moisture content (the moisture content of the fiber in an environment of a temperature of 20°C and a humidity of 65%) of 5% by mass or more. The absorbent fiber may be a fiber that inherently has absorbency, or a fiber that does not inherently have absorbency and has been given absorbency by processing.

[0026] In this embodiment, the absorbent fiber may be a natural fiber or a synthetic fiber, and examples of the absorbent fiber include natural fibers such as cotton fiber, cellulose fibers other than cotton fiber (hemp, palm, kraft pulp, straw), rayon fiber, polynosic fiber, etc., and semi-synthetic fibers such as regenerated fibers and acetate rayon, etc. From the viewpoint of providing a sense of security to consumers, the absorbent fiber is preferably a natural fiber, and more preferably a cotton fiber, as described in detail below.

[0027] The top sheet 2 is made of a woven or nonwoven fabric mainly made of absorbent fibers, and is particularly preferably made of a nonwoven fabric. From the viewpoint of entangling or bonding the absorbent fibers, examples of such nonwoven fabrics include spunlace nonwoven fabrics, resin-bonded nonwoven fabrics, and needle-punched nonwoven fabrics, and from the viewpoint of entangling the absorbent fibers while taking advantage of their texture, spunlace nonwoven fabrics are particularly preferred.

[0028] In the topsheet 2 mainly made of the above water-absorbent fibers, the fibers are not easily thermally fused, and therefore fusion points between the fibers are less likely to form, resulting in a soft feel. Furthermore, the topsheet 2 has high water absorbency, which makes it easy to diffuse menstrual blood within the surface of the topsheet 2.

[0029] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a side sheet 7 is disposed on a side portion 28 in the lateral direction Y of the top sheet 2, and the top sheet 2 overlaps with the side sheet 7 in a plan view.

[0030] As a feature of the napkin 1 of this embodiment, the top sheet 2 has a tear S on the inside in the lateral direction Y of the side joint portion 20 in the area overlapping with the side sheet 7 in a plan view. In the example shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a plurality of tear S is arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction X in the side portion 28 of the top sheet 2 in the front region A and the rear region C. The tear S has a substantially semicircular arc shape that is convex on the inside in the lateral direction Y. The tear S is located on the inside in the lateral direction Y of the side joint portion 20. Although details will be described later, by providing the tear S, bodily fluids such as menstrual blood that have spread in the in-plane direction of the top sheet 2 and reached the tear S are easily transferred downward in the thickness direction Z through the tear S. This makes it possible to prevent discomfort caused by liquid remaining on the surface of the top sheet 2. The tear S is located covered and hidden by the side sheet 7 when the napkin 1 is viewed from the skin side. This makes it difficult for the wearer to recognize the presence of the tear S, and does not cause unnecessary anxiety.

[0031] As a sanitary absorbent article, from the viewpoint of diffusing menstrual blood in the in-plane direction of the top sheet 2, it is preferable that the top sheet 2 is mainly composed of absorbent fibers and does not have openings (through holes) longer than the length in the vertical direction X of the slit S in the excretory part-facing region (the central part in the horizontal direction Y of the middle region B) where more menstrual blood is likely to be supplied. In this embodiment, the top sheet 2 does not have openings longer than the length in the vertical direction X of the slit S in regions other than the side parts 28. With this configuration, excessive migration of menstrual blood downward in the thickness direction Z toward the absorbent body 4 in the excretory part-facing region can be suppressed, and menstrual blood can be easily diffused appropriately in the in-plane direction of the top sheet 2 and easily reach the slit S. In addition, by not providing large openings in the excretory part-facing region of the top sheet 2, menstrual blood that has once diffused in the thickness direction of the absorbent body 4 is less likely to return through the openings to the surface (skin side surface 2a) of the top sheet 2, and discomfort due to residual liquid on the surface is less likely to occur.

[0032] [Details of side joint structure] As shown in FIG. 1, the linear side joint 20 extending in the vertical direction X is located in the area where the top sheet 2 and the side sheet 7 overlap in a plan view. The side joint 20 includes an embossed compressed portion 8 in which the top sheet 2 and the side sheet 7 are embossed and compressed, and an adhesive portion 10a in which the top sheet 2 and the side sheet 7 are bonded with an adhesive 10 such as a hot melt adhesive. The side joint 20 is located outside the lateral direction Y of the side sheet 7 on the inner side in the lateral direction Y. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, a pocket-like space 19 formed by the top sheet 2 and the side sheet 7 is formed on the inner side in the lateral direction Y of the side joint 20. In this embodiment, the inner side portion in the lateral direction Y of the side sheet 7 is doubled by folding the side sheet 7 inward, and the folded portion forms the inner side edge portion 70 in the lateral direction Y of the side sheet 7. The tear S is covered and hidden by the double side sheet 7, so that the presence of the tear S is even more difficult for the wearer to recognize.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 1, the embossed compressed portion 8 has a first joining line 8a and a second joining line 8b. The first joining line 8a is disposed in the middle region B, and for example, extends along the vertical direction X and is configured as a curved line that is convex outward in the horizontal direction Y. The second joining lines 8b are disposed in front of and behind the first joining line 8a in the vertical direction X (front region A and rear region C), and for example, extends along the vertical direction X as a whole and is configured as a zigzag shape in the horizontal direction Y. The first joining line 8a and the second joining line 8b are connected to each other. In this embodiment, the embossed compressed portion 8 is formed in a continuous line in the vertical direction X, but may be discontinuous. For example, the embossed compressed portion 8 may be formed in a line extending in the vertical direction as a whole with a plurality of dot-like compressed portions intermittently arranged.

[0034] The embossed compressed portion 8 is formed by embossing. The embossing may be a pressing process for increasing the density of a member, or a heat seal process for joining members.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 1, the portion of the embossed compressed portion 8 that overlaps with the adhesive portion 10a in plan view (a portion of the embossed compressed portion) is referred to as the first portion 81, and the portion that does not overlap with the adhesive portion 10a (the other portion of the embossed compressed portion) is referred to as the second portion 82. The second portion 82 is located protruding in the lateral direction Y from the side edge portion 10b on the inner side of the adhesive portion 10a in the lateral direction Y. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the first joining line 8a arranged in the middle region B in plan view is located almost within the adhesive portion 10a, does not have the second portion 82 that protrudes from the adhesive portion 10a, and has the first portion 81 that does not protrude from the adhesive portion 10a. On the other hand, the zigzag-shaped second joining line 8b arranged in the front region A and the rear region C has the first portion 81 that overlaps with the adhesive portion 10a in plan view and the second portion 82 that does not overlap with the adhesive portion 10a in plan view. Approximately the outer vertical half of the second joining line 8b in the horizontal direction Y is the first portion 81, and approximately the inner vertical half in the horizontal direction Y is the second portion 82. The embossed compressed portion 8 does not protrude from the outer side edge portion 10c of the adhesive portion 10a in the horizontal direction Y, but protrudes only from the inner side edge portion 10b of the adhesive portion 10a in the horizontal direction Y. The protruding second portion 82 has a shape in which a plurality of approximately semicircular arc-shaped patterns convex inward in the horizontal direction Y are arranged intermittently along the vertical direction X.

[0036] [Detailed structure of the crack] Here, in the manufacture of the napkin 1, the adhesive 10 is applied in a line extending in the vertical direction on both side portions 28 in the lateral direction Y of the topsheet 2 of the laminate formed by laminating the backsheet 3, absorbent body 4, sublayer sheet 5, and topsheet 2, and then the sidesheet 7 is placed on top of it, and the topsheet 2 and the sidesheet 7 are bonded together with the adhesive 10. In this state, an embossing process is performed from the side sheet 7 side (from the skin side), thereby forming an embossed compressed portion 8 in which the side sheet 7 and the topsheet 2 are compressed together and depressed in the thickness direction.

[0037] In the napkin 1, the topsheet 2 and the side sheet 7 are joined by the embossed compressed portion 8, but the topsheet 2, which is mainly made of absorbent fibers such as cotton, has inferior extensibility compared to the side sheet 7, which is made of synthetic fibers. For this reason, when the topsheet 2 and the side sheet 7 are pressed concavely from the side sheet 7 side toward the topsheet 2 and deformed during the formation of the embossed compressed portion 8 by embossing, the topsheet 2 is stretched and broken along the deformed shape without causing a tear in the side sheet 7, and a tear S is formed in the topsheet 2. The tear S is a through hole that penetrates the topsheet 2 in its thickness direction.

[0038] Furthermore, the inventors have discovered that when a napkin 1 has an adhesive portion 10a and an embossed compressed portion 8, depending on the relative positions of the adhesive portion 10a and the embossed compressed portion 8 in a planar view, there will be areas in the top sheet 2 where tears S are likely to occur and areas where they are unlikely to occur, and by utilizing this fact, it becomes easy to form tears S at desired positions in the top sheet 2.

[0039] At this time, a tear S is unlikely to occur along a first portion 81 of the embossed compressed portion 8 that overlaps with the adhesive portion 10a in a planar view, while a tear S is likely to occur along a second portion 82 of the embossed compressed portion 8 that does not overlap with the adhesive portion 10a in a planar view. This is presumably because the peripheral vicinity of the first portion 81 of the topsheet 2 that overlaps with the adhesive portion 10a in a planar view is unlikely to break during embossing because the constituent fibers of the topsheet 2 are bonded to the side sheet 7 by the adhesive 10, whereas the peripheral vicinity of the second portion 82 that does not overlap with the adhesive portion 10a in a planar view is likely to break during embossing because the adhesive 10 is not present, and as a result, a tear S is likely to occur along the second portion 82.

[0040] In this way, by providing the embossed compressed portion 8 so that a part of it protrudes in the lateral direction Y from the side edge portion 10b on the inner side in the lateral direction Y of the adhesive portion 10a in the region where the side sheet 7 and the top sheet 2 overlap in a plan view, a crack S can be formed on the inner side in the lateral direction Y of the side joint portion 20 in a desired region (the front region A and the rear region C in the example shown in FIG. 1). More specifically, a crack S that follows the shape of the second portion 82 can be formed immediately next to the inner side in the lateral direction Y of the second portion 82 of the embossed compressed portion 8.

[0041] In the napkin 1 of this embodiment, the embossed compressed portion 8 is provided in the front region A and the rear region C so that the second portion 82 that does not overlap the adhesive portion 10a is present. Therefore, the slits S are formed in the front region A and the rear region C. Furthermore, the embossed compressed portion 8 is provided so that the second joining line 8b of the embossed compressed portion 8 is zigzag-shaped and the second portion 82 protruding from the side edge portion 10b on the inside in the horizontal direction Y from the adhesive portion 10a has a shape of a plurality of semicircular arcs lined up. Therefore, a plurality of semicircular arc-shaped slits S are formed in each of both side portions 28 of the topsheet 2 in the front region A and the rear region C, lined up at intervals in the vertical direction X. In this embodiment, the portion between adjacent slits S in the vertical direction X is referred to as a space portion 21.

[0042] The shape of the embossed compressed portions 8 is not limited to the above shape and may be any shape. The position and shape of the cracks S may be set arbitrarily depending on the pattern shape of the embossed compressed portions 8 protruding from the adhesive portion 10a.

[0043] In this way, in the napkin 1, by adjusting the pattern shape of the embossed compressed portion 8 and the positional relationship between the adhesive portion 10a and the embossed compressed portion 8 in a planar view, and further by adjusting the pressure applied during embossing, it is possible to form cracks S in the desired position and in the desired pattern.

[0044] The embossed compressed portions 8 are usually formed by passing the material to be embossed between an embossing roll having multiple embossing projections on its surface and an anvil roll having a flat surface (hereinafter, collectively referred to as the processing roll), and the embossing conditions for forming the embossed compressed portions 8 and the cracks S are appropriately adjusted according to the thickness of the napkin 1, etc. For example, the cracks S can be easily formed by heating the surface temperature of the processing roll that imparts the embossing to about 100 to 130°C and setting the clearance between the embossing roll and the anvil roll during pressure application in the range of about 20 μm to 0 μm.

[0045] [Effects of the above configuration] In the napkin 1, the top sheet 2 is made of absorbent fibers, so that bodily fluids such as menstrual blood can be diffused in the in-plane direction of the top sheet 2. Furthermore, by providing a crack S in the side portion 28 of the top sheet 2 of the napkin 1, bodily fluids that reach the vicinity of the side portion 28 in the top sheet 2 are less likely to migrate from the inside to the outside in the lateral direction Y of the crack S due to the presence of the crack S where the constituent fibers of the top sheet 2 are interrupted, and are more likely to migrate downward in the thickness direction Z from the crack S. Such behavior of bodily fluids is particularly likely to occur in the case of relatively viscous fluids such as menstrual blood. As a result, less menstrual blood remains on the surface of the top sheet 2, so that the wearer is less likely to feel wet and uncomfortable even when worn for a long time, and the wearer is comfortable to wear and the side leakage of bodily fluids is suppressed.

[0046] For example, in the napkin 1 of this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, multiple cracks S are formed from near the base of the wing portion W near the rear region C of the middle region B to the rear region C. As a result, for example, when a wearer of the napkin 1 is in a lying position, menstrual blood tends to migrate rearward in the napkin 1, but the menstrual blood that migrates rearward is diffused in the lateral direction Y by the topsheet 2 made of absorbent fibers and tends to migrate downward in the thickness direction Z at the cracks S, thereby suppressing side leakage in the rear region C. Similarly, in the front region A, multiple cracks S are formed from near the base of the wing portion W near the front region A of the middle region B to the front region A. As a result, menstrual blood that migrates to the front region A and is diffused in the lateral direction Y by the topsheet 2 tends to migrate downward in the thickness direction Z at the cracks S, thereby suppressing side leakage in the front region A. In the napkin 1 of this embodiment, the middle region B has almost no cracks S, but as shown in Fig. 1, the first joining line 8a of the embossed compressed portion 8 is located in the middle region B along the longitudinal direction X. Therefore, in the middle region B, menstrual blood diffusing outward in the lateral direction Y is blocked by the first joining line 8a compressed in the thickness direction Z, and side leakage can be suppressed. In particular, when the first joining line 8a is formed in a shape that is convex outward in the lateral direction Y, as in the napkin 1, it is possible to block a large amount of menstrual blood with ease even if it diffuses in the lateral direction Y in a region close to the excretory part facing region in the longitudinal direction X, and it is possible to guide the menstrual blood inward in the lateral direction Y when it diffuses in the front-rear direction, which is effective in suppressing side leakage.

[0047] Furthermore, in the napkin 1 of this embodiment, by providing the side joint portion 20, a pocket-like space 19 having an opening facing inward in the lateral direction Y is formed between the side sheet 7 and the top sheet 2, and the crack S is located corresponding to the space 19. Menstrual blood that has diffused in the in-plane direction of the top sheet 2 and reached the side portion 28 is easily drawn into the pocket-like space 19. In other words, menstrual blood diffusing within the top sheet 2 is easily transferred to the crack S efficiently. As a result, menstrual blood that has diffused in the in-plane direction of the top sheet 2 can be efficiently transferred from the crack S downward in the thickness direction Z, reducing the amount of liquid remaining on the surface, making it less likely for the wearer to feel uncomfortable wetness even when worn for a long time, and suppressing side leakage.

[0048] Here, when the absorbent body is made thin by forming a laminated structure of absorbent sheets as described later in order to improve the wearing comfort, generally, the thinness makes it difficult for the absorbent body to quickly absorb bodily fluids, and menstrual blood is likely to remain on the surface of the top sheet, which tends to make the wearer feel wet and uncomfortable. This tendency is particularly noticeable when the target body fluid is menstrual blood, vaginal discharge, or other bodily fluids that are more viscous than urine. However, in the configuration of the napkin 1 of this embodiment, the menstrual blood can be quickly absorbed into the thin absorbent body by diffusing the menstrual blood in the in-plane direction within the top sheet 2 to reduce the amount of menstrual blood per unit area, and further, the menstrual blood diffused in the in-plane direction of the top sheet 2 can be moved downward in the thickness direction Z through the cracks S. In this way, even in a thin napkin, by forming the top sheet 2 from water-absorbent fibers and providing the cracks S in the top sheet 2, it is possible to make the wearer feel excellent in that liquid is unlikely to remain on the surface of the top sheet and the wearer is unlikely to feel uncomfortable.

[0049] In addition, menstrual blood that has diffused within the surface sheet 2 and reached the crack S tends to migrate downward in the thickness direction Z from the crack S. However, even if the menstrual blood migrates laterally Y outward from the crack S, since the embossed compressed section 8 is located on the lateral side Y of the crack S, the menstrual blood is blocked by the embossed compressed section 8 and is less likely to migrate outward in the lateral direction Y from the embossed compressed section 8, thereby suppressing lateral leakage.

[0050] 1, it is preferable that the embossed compressed sections 8 are present on the outer side in the lateral direction Y of the space 21 between two adjacent crevices S arranged intermittently in the longitudinal direction X. With this configuration, even if menstrual blood diffuses through the space 21 between the crevices S inside the topsheet 2 to the outer side in the lateral direction Y, the embossed compressed sections 8 can stop the menstrual blood, thereby preventing lateral leakage.

[0051] In addition, as in the napkin 1, when the embossed compressed sections 8 have a protruding region protruding from the outside to the inside in the horizontal direction Y and the cracks S are arranged along the protruding region, not only does the body fluid that has diffused outward in the horizontal direction Y come into contact with the region on the inside of the cracks S in the horizontal direction Y and easily migrate downward in the thickness direction Z, but also the menstrual blood that has reached the space 21 migrates along the embossed compressed sections 8 to the outside in the vertical direction X and the inside in the horizontal direction Y and then comes into contact with the cracks S, which makes it easier to suppress leakage of the body fluid from the end in the horizontal direction Y. In particular, when the body fluid is highly viscous like menstrual blood, the decrease in the diffusion rate is significant when it comes into contact with the cracks S, and the menstrual blood whose diffusion in the horizontal direction Y has almost stopped at the space 21 is promoted to diffuse in the vertical direction X along the shape of the embossed compressed sections 8, making it even more likely to come into contact with the cracks S, resulting in a high effect of suppressing leakage of the body fluid.

[0052] [Example of absorber configuration] As shown in Fig. 2, the absorbent body 4 has a laminated structure including a plurality of absorbent sheets 40 from the viewpoint of thinning while maintaining absorbency. The absorbent sheet 40 is configured as a sheet material in which a highly absorbent polymer material is sandwiched and fixed between two sheet-like fiber layers made of hydrophilic fibers. Note that, although it is preferable that all of the absorbent sheets 40 constituting the absorbent body 4 contain a water-absorbent polymer, a portion of the absorbent sheet may contain an absorbent sheet that does not contain a water-absorbent polymer.

[0053] The absorbent sheet 40 can be formed by integrating the superabsorbent polymer with the adhesive strength that is developed by wetting, or by using a binder such as a separately added adhesive or adhesive fiber. The absorbent sheet 40 may be an absorbent sheet manufactured by the method described in JP-A-8-246395, a dry sheet in which ground pulp and a superabsorbent polymer are fed on an air current and then piled up, and then solidified with an adhesive (e.g., a vinyl acetate adhesive, PVA, etc.), an absorbent sheet obtained by applying a hot melt adhesive or the like between paper or nonwoven fabric and then spraying a superabsorbent polymer, or an absorbent sheet obtained by blending a superabsorbent polymer during the manufacturing process of a spunbond or meltblown nonwoven fabric. Examples of the superabsorbent polymer include sodium polyacrylate, (acrylic acid-vinyl alcohol) copolymer, sodium polyacrylate crosslinked body, (starch-acrylic acid) graft copolymer, (isobutylene-maleic anhydride) copolymer and its saponification product, polyaspartic acid, etc.

[0054] Examples of hydrophilic fibers constituting the absorbent sheet 40 include hydrophobic fibers that have been hydrophilized, and fibers that are hydrophilic themselves. In particular, fibers that are hydrophilic themselves and have water retention are preferred. Examples of the latter hydrophilic fibers include natural fibers, regenerated cellulose fibers, and semi-synthetic fibers. In particular, pulp and rayon are preferred as hydrophilic fibers, and pulp is even more preferred. Furthermore, crosslinked cellulose fibers in which cellulose fibers are crosslinked intramolecularly and / or intermolecularly, and bulky cellulose fibers obtained by mercerizing wood pulp may be used. Examples of pulp include, but are not limited to, wood pulp such as softwood kraft pulp or hardwood kraft pulp, natural cellulose fibers such as cotton pulp and straw pulp, and the like. One or more of these pulps may be used.

[0055] The absorbent body 4 has a first laminate section 11 located at the center of the intermediate region B in the horizontal direction Y, and a second laminate section 12 having a smaller number of laminated absorbent sheets 40 than the first laminate section 11 and located around the first laminate section 11 in the vertical direction X and horizontal direction Y. By making the first laminate section 11 a region having a larger number of laminated absorbent sheets 40, the first laminate section 11 functions as a so-called central high section, and the absorption capacity of the excretory part facing region of the absorbent body 4 can be efficiently increased.

[0056] In this embodiment, the plurality of absorbent sheets 40 preferably includes one or more main absorbent sheets 41 and one or more central absorbent sheets 42. The main absorbent sheet 41 is disposed across the first laminated portion 11 and the second laminated portion 12. The main absorbent sheet 41 may be configured, for example, in the same outer shape as the outer shape of the absorbent body 4, or may be folded to have the outer shape. The central absorbent sheet 42 is disposed only in the first laminated portion 11. The central absorbent sheet 42 may be configured, for example, in the same outer shape as the first laminated portion 11, or may be folded to have the same shape. In this configuration, the number of layers in the first laminated portion 11 can be increased by the amount of the central absorbent sheet 42. The central absorbent sheet 42 may be disposed between the folded main absorbent sheets 41 as shown in FIG. 2, or may be disposed on the skin side or non-skin side of the main absorbent sheet 41.

[0057] 2 and 3, the absorbent body 4 has a plurality of slits from the viewpoint of promoting the movement of menstrual blood in the thickness direction Z. Specifically, the absorbent body 4 has a first slit row L1 including a plurality of first slits 13 and a second slit row L2 including a plurality of second slits 14. At least a portion of the first slit row L1 is arranged in the first stacked portion 11. That is, the slit row having slits at least partially overlapping with the first stacked portion 11 is the first slit row L1. The second slit row L2 is arranged in the second stacked portion 12 on the outer side in the lateral direction Y of the first slit row L1. That is, the first slit row L1 is arranged on the central side in the lateral direction Y of the absorbent body 4, and the second slit row L2 is arranged on the side portion in the lateral direction Y of the absorbent body 4.

[0058] The absorbent body 4 has one or more first slit rows L1 and one or more second slit rows L2. From the viewpoint of further promoting the movement of menstrual blood in the thickness direction Z, it is preferable that the absorbent body 4 has multiple first slit rows L1 and multiple second slit rows L2. In the example shown in Fig. 3, it is preferable that the absorbent body 4 has five first slit rows L1 and a pair (two) of second slit rows L2 arranged on both sides of the first slit rows L1 in the lateral direction Y.

[0059] In the first slit row L1, the multiple first slits 13 are arranged at intervals along the vertical direction X. In the first slit row L1, it is sufficient that at least a portion of the first slits 13 are arranged in the first stacked portion 11, and there may be first slits 13 extending forward and / or backward in the vertical direction X of the first stacked portion 11. Similarly, in the second slit row L2, the multiple second slits 14 are arranged at intervals along the vertical direction X. It is preferable that the slits 13, 14 belonging to each slit row L1, L2 are aligned along the vertical direction X.

[0060] In each of the slit rows L1 and L2, the intervals between adjacent slits 13, 13 and between adjacent slits 14, 14 in the vertical direction X may be different, but are preferably substantially the same. Here, "substantially the same" intervals means that the intervals are completely the same and that the difference in the length of the intervals is 5% or less. In this embodiment, the portion between the first slits 13 adjacent in the vertical direction X in the first slit row L1 is referred to as the interval portion 15. Similarly, the portion between the second slits 14 adjacent in the vertical direction X in the second slit row L2 is referred to as the interval portion 16.

[0061] Furthermore, the first slits 13 and the second slits 14 are preferably configured to extend along the vertical direction X. The first slits 13 and the second slits 14 "extending along the vertical direction X" is not limited to extending parallel to the vertical direction X, but broadly includes extending linearly in the vertical direction X as a whole. The first slits 13 and the second slits 14 may be linear, or may be partially bent and / or meandering.

[0062] The first slit 13 and the second slit 14 are cuts formed in the thickness direction Z of the absorbent body 4. The width of the first slit 13 and the second slit 14 in the lateral direction Y is, for example, 1.0 mm or less, preferably 0.5 mm or less, and it is particularly preferable that they have substantially no width. That is, the slit of the present invention preferably has substantially no width in the unloaded state and forms an opening when an external force is applied. As shown in FIG. 2, the first slit 13 and the second slit 14 preferably penetrate the absorbent body 4, which is a laminate of absorbent sheets 40. On the other hand, the first slit 13 and the second slit 14 are not formed in the sublayer sheet 5, the top sheet 2, and the back sheet 3 other than the absorbent body 4.

[0063] In this embodiment, in the first slit row L1 and the second slit row L2 adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction Y, at least one second slit 14 is arranged to face a space 15 between the first slits 13 in the first slit row L1 in the horizontal direction Y. That is, in the first slit row L1 and the second slit row L2 adjacent to each other across the boundary between the first stacked portion 11 and the second stacked portion 12, the first slit 13 and the second slit 14 are arranged to be shifted in the vertical direction X. In this configuration, it is sufficient that at least one second slit 14 faces the space 15, but it is preferable that a plurality of second slits 14 each face the space 15.

[0064] In the above configuration, the absorbent body 4 is configured to be thin, since it is configured with a laminated structure of multiple absorbent sheets 40. This makes it possible to suppress the hard feel of the absorbent body 4 in addition to the soft texture of the top sheet 2 mainly made of absorbent fibers, and improves the wearing comfort of the napkin 1 (absorbent article). Furthermore, since the absorbent body 4 has multiple slits 13, 14, menstrual blood can easily seep into the slits 13, 14, and the diffusion of menstrual blood into the absorbent body 4 can be promoted. This makes it possible to promote the transfer of menstrual blood from the top sheet 2 to the absorbent body 4 in the thickness direction Z, and suppresses the diffusion of excessive menstrual blood within the plane of the top sheet 2.

[0065] The absorbent body 4 having the above-mentioned configuration has a first slit row L1 at least a part of which is disposed in the first laminated portion 11, and a second slit row L2 disposed in the second laminated portion 12 on the lateral side Y of the first slit row L1. This allows the first slit row L1 to promote the movement of menstrual blood in the thickness direction Z in the first laminated portion 11 located in the excretory part facing region, as well as the movement of menstrual blood in the thickness direction Z in the second laminated portion 12 on the lateral side Y. Furthermore, in this embodiment, in the first slit row L1 and the second slit row L2 adjacent to each other in the lateral direction Y, at least one second slit 14 is disposed to face the space 15 between the first slits 13 of the first slit row L1 in the lateral direction Y. This allows the second slit 14 to more reliably move menstrual blood that has diffused from the area above the space 15 of the first slits 13 in the topsheet 2 to the area above the second laminated portion 12 without being absorbed, to the non-skin side. Therefore, the napkin 1 (absorbent article) configured as described above can suppress the diffusion of excess menstrual blood within the surface of the top sheet 2 and the associated widespread wetness and side leakage, thereby increasing the wearer's sense of security regarding leakage.

[0066] In the absorbent body 4, the multiple absorbent sheets 40 preferably include one or more main absorbent sheets 41 arranged across the first laminated section 11 and the second laminated section 12, and one or more central absorbent sheets 42 arranged in the first laminated section 11. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 2, the main absorbent sheet 41 has a skin-side absorbent section 43 and a non-skin-side absorbent section 44 laminated in the thickness direction Z, and the central absorbent sheet 42 is preferably arranged between the skin-side absorbent section 43 and the non-skin-side absorbent section 44 in the first laminated section 11.

[0067] The skin-side absorbent section 43 and the non-skin-side absorbent section 44 may be formed, for example, by folding a large-sized main absorbent sheet 41, or by stacking a plurality of main absorbent sheets 41 of the same shape in the thickness direction Z. In the example shown in Fig. 2, one main absorbent sheet 41 is folded back to the non-skin side at the edge portion in the lateral direction Y of the absorbent body 4, and both ends in the lateral direction Y of the sheet are overlapped on the non-skin side to form the skin-side absorbent section 43 and the non-skin-side absorbent section 44. The skin-side absorbent section 43 and the non-skin-side absorbent section 44 may each have either a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure of the main absorbent sheet 41, but from the viewpoint of making the absorbent body 4 thinner, a single-layer structure is preferable.

[0068] In the above configuration, the central absorbent sheet 42 is sandwiched between the skin side absorbent portion 43 and the non-skin side absorbent portion 44 of the main absorbent sheet 41 in the first laminated portion 11. The central absorbent sheet 42 may have either a single layer structure or a multi-layer structure, but from the viewpoint of improving the absorption performance of the second laminated portion 12, a multi-layer structure is preferable. Furthermore, when the central absorbent sheet 42 has a multi-layer structure, it may be configured such that one central absorbent sheet 42 is folded, or a plurality of central absorbent sheets 42 are laminated in the thickness direction Z. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the central absorbent sheet 42 is configured to be folded in three.

[0069] With this configuration, it is possible to easily form the absorbent body 4 having the first laminated section 11 and the second laminated section 12 with different numbers of layers. Furthermore, by disposing the central absorbent sheet 42 between the skin side absorbent section 43 and the non-skin side absorbent section 44 of the main absorbent sheet 41, it is possible to prevent the central absorbent sheet 42 from shifting in position and to prevent protrusion on the top sheet 2 side, thereby achieving a comfortable fit with less discomfort.

[0070] 2, it is preferable that the end 42a of the central absorbent sheet 42 is not joined to the main absorbent sheet 41 at the boundary between the first laminate section 11 and the second laminate section 12. In this configuration, the end 42a of the central absorbent sheet 42 is an end in the longitudinal direction X and the lateral direction Y, and is formed, for example, by a side surface of the central absorbent sheet 42 and / or a fold of the central absorbent sheet 42.

[0071] In the napkin 1 of this embodiment, in a plan view, the crack S and the second slit 14 are located within the area of ​​the second laminated portion 12 of the absorbent body 4. With this configuration, the menstrual blood that spreads in the in-plane direction of the top sheet 2 and passes through the crack S to the second laminated portion 12 of the absorbent body 4 located below the crack S in the thickness direction Z is diffused inside the absorbent body 4 by the second slit 14. At this time, since the end portion 42a of the central absorbent sheet 42 is not joined to the main absorbent sheet 41 at the boundary between the first laminated portion 11 and the second laminated portion 12, the menstrual blood that reaches the second laminated portion 12 is likely to quickly move to the first laminated portion 11 without the aid of an adhesive or the like. As a result, the menstrual blood can be confined inside the first laminated portion 11, which has a larger number of laminated absorbent sheets and a higher absorption capacity than the second laminated portion 12, and the return of liquid to the surface of the top sheet 2 is further suppressed, resulting in a napkin 1 that is less likely to cause discomfort. Furthermore, since the end 42a of the central absorbent sheet 42 is not joined to the main absorbent sheet 41 at the boundary, when the first slit 13 and / or the second slit 14 near the boundary opens as the absorbent body 4 deforms, the central absorbent sheet 42 and the main absorbent sheet 41 are not constrained by each other, and the degree of freedom of deformation is increased. Therefore, wrinkles and creases are unlikely to occur in the absorbent body 4 near the boundary, and deterioration of the wearing comfort due to such wrinkles and creases can be suppressed.

[0072] In the napkin 1, in a plan view, the crack S is preferably located outside the slit row group consisting of the multiple slit rows L1 and L2 in the horizontal direction Y. Since the slits 13, 14 of the absorbent body 4 facilitate the transfer of menstrual blood in the thickness direction, menstrual blood absorbed into the absorbent body 4 in the region facing the excretory part is less likely to diffuse outside the slit rows L1, L2 in the horizontal direction Y. For this reason, there are no slits 13, 14 directly below the crack S, and the hydrophilic fibers of the absorbent body 4 are arranged, and the hydrophilic fibers are in a state in which the absorption performance is likely to remain, so that liquid is likely to transfer smoothly from the crack S to the absorbent body.

[0073] 2, it is preferable that the central absorbent sheet 42 is not joined to the non-skin side absorbent section 44 of the main absorbent sheet 41. This can promote the migration of menstrual blood to the non-skin side absorbent section 44, and allows the menstrual blood to be retained in the non-skin side absorbent section 44 away from the topsheet 2. This can prevent redness and residual liquid caused by menstrual blood on the topsheet 2, effectively reducing anxiety about leakage.

[0074] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the central absorbent sheet 42 preferably has a bonding region 17 bonded to the skin-side absorbent section 43 of the main absorbent sheet 41. In FIG. 3, the bonding region 17 is shown by a dot pattern, and the dots are intended to show the range of the bonding region 17. In this embodiment, the bonding region 17 includes an adhesive H1, such as a hot melt adhesive, that bonds the central absorbent sheet 42 and the skin-side absorbent section 43, as shown in FIG. 2. From the viewpoint of increasing the flexibility of the bonding region 17 and promoting the transfer of menstrual blood to the central absorbent sheet 42, the adhesive H1 is preferably applied intermittently so that coated and uncoated sections are mixed. Examples of the latter intermittent coating pattern include a spiral shape, a summit shape, an omega shape, a curtain shape, and a stripe shape. When the adhesive H1 is applied intermittently, the bonding region 17 is an area including an uncoated section obtained by surrounding the outer edge of the coated section of the adhesive H1.

[0075] In addition, as shown in Fig. 3, the bonding region 17 preferably overlaps with the first slit 13 in a plan view seen from the thickness direction Z. In this case, it is sufficient that the bonding region 17 overlaps with at least one first slit 13. The presence of the first slit 13 in the bonding region 17 makes it difficult for the position of the first slit 13 to shift in the skin-side absorbent section 43 and the central absorbent sheet 42 even if the absorbent body 4 is deformed when worn. This makes it easier for menstrual blood to transfer from the skin-side absorbent section 43 to the central absorbent sheet 42 via the first slit 13. This makes it easier for menstrual blood to transfer into the inside of the absorbent body 4, and more effectively promotes the transfer of menstrual blood in the thickness direction Z from the topsheet 2 to the absorbent body 4.

[0076] [Sublayer sheet configuration example] As described above, the napkin 1 preferably includes a hydrophilic sublayer sheet 5 disposed between the topsheet 2 and the absorbent body 4. In this configuration, the sublayer sheet 5 preferably has lower water absorbency than the topsheet 2. This makes the sublayer sheet 5 less likely to retain menstrual blood, allowing the menstrual blood to quickly transfer to the absorbent body 4. This can promote the transfer of menstrual blood in the thickness direction Z from the topsheet 2 to the absorbent body 4, and can prevent menstrual blood from leaking or spreading excessively on the topsheet 2.

[0077] In this specification, "high water absorption" means that the above-mentioned official moisture regain is high. Examples of the constituent material of the hydrophilic sublayer sheet 5 include hydrophobic materials that have been hydrophilized, and materials that are hydrophilic themselves. In particular, from the viewpoint of imparting hydrophilicity while suppressing water absorption, the constituent material of the sublayer sheet 5 is preferably a hydrophobic material that has been hydrophilized.

[0078] Specifically, the sublayer sheet 5 is preferably made of a nonwoven fabric, a fiber assembly, and / or a film material, for example. Examples of the nonwoven fabric include air-through nonwoven fabric, spunbond nonwoven fabric, resin-bond nonwoven fabric, spunlace nonwoven fabric, and airlaid nonwoven fabric. As for the constituent fiber of the sublayer sheet 5, from the viewpoint of suppressing water absorption as described above, thermoplastic fiber is preferable. Specifically, examples of the thermoplastic fiber include polyolefin resins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyester resins such as polyethylene terephthalate, acrylic resins such as polyacrylic acid and polymethacrylic acid, vinyl resins such as polyvinyl chloride, and polyamide resins such as nylon. As the constituent fiber, composite fibers (core-sheath composite fibers and side-by-side composite fibers) made of a combination of two types of resins from among these various raw materials can also be used. The sublayer sheet 5 can use one type of constituent fiber alone or two or more types of constituent fibers in combination.

[0079] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the sublayer sheet 5 is not present directly below the crack S in the thickness direction Z. However, as in the napkin 1A of another embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the sublayer sheet 5 may be provided so that the sublayer sheet 5 is present below the crack S. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, the constituent fibers of the sublayer sheet may be present in the crack S. In the manufacturing process of the napkin 1, when the sheets are stacked and embossed to form the embossed compressed portion 8, the crack S is formed by the force applied in the thickness direction Z, and the constituent fibers of the sublayer sheet 5 can enter the crack S. With this configuration, bodily fluids such as menstrual blood that have diffused within the topsheet 2 and reached the crack S can be quickly transferred to the sublayer sheet 5 and further to the main absorbent sheet 41 that abuts against the sublayer sheet 5 by the constituent fibers of the sublayer sheet 5 that have entered the crack S, and the liquid diffusion in the thickness direction Z can be improved. This can further reduce the liquid remaining on the surface of the topsheet 2.

[0080] In addition, in the napkin 1, as in the napkin 1A shown in FIG. 4, the constituent fibers of the sublayer sheet 5 may be present in the second slit 14 and the first slit 13 (not shown). In the manufacturing process of the napkin 1, a force is applied in the thickness direction to the laminate in which the sheets are stacked, so that the constituent fibers of the sublayer sheet 5 can enter the first slit 13 and the second slit 14. With this configuration, menstrual blood that has migrated from the topsheet 2 to the sublayer sheet 5 can be quickly transferred to the absorbent body 4 by the constituent fibers of the sublayer sheet 5 that have entered the slits, improving the liquid diffusion downward in the thickness direction Z. This can reduce the amount of liquid remaining on the surface of the topsheet 2.

[0081] [Other examples of crack placement] In this embodiment, the napkin 1 having the tear S in the front region A and the rear region C is exemplified, but the tear S may be provided in the middle region B as in the napkin 1B according to another embodiment shown in FIG. 5. In the napkin 1B in FIG. 5, the same components as those in the napkin 1 are given the same reference numerals, and the description may be omitted. In the napkin 1B, a side joint portion 20B is provided in the region where both side portions 28 of the top sheet 2 and the side sheet 7 overlap in a plan view. The side joint portion 20B includes an adhesive portion 10a and an embossed compressed portion 8B. The embossed compressed portion 8B is formed by compressing the top sheet 2 and the side sheet 7, and extends in the vertical direction. The embossed compressed portion 8B of the napkin 1B has a zigzag pattern shape extending over the entire length of the napkin 1B, in other words, over the front region A, the middle region B, and the rear region C. 5, the embossed compressed portion 8B has a second portion 82 extending over the entire length of the napkin 1B from a side edge portion 10b on the inside in the horizontal direction Y of the band-shaped adhesive portion 10a extending in the vertical direction X, and a first portion 81 overlapping the adhesive portion 10a. The embossed compressed portion 8B does not extend over a side edge portion 10c on the outside in the horizontal direction Y of the adhesive portion 10a. In the napkin 1B, a plurality of semicircular arc-shaped cracks S are intermittently arranged over the entire length of the napkin 1B in the vertical direction X.

[0082] In this way, it is more preferable to provide the crack S in the middle region B having the excretory part facing region where a larger amount of menstrual blood is likely to be supplied, and the menstrual blood that reaches the crack S can be transferred downward in the thickness direction Z by the crack S. This further reduces the amount of liquid remaining on the surface of the topsheet 2, making it less likely for the wearer to feel wet and uncomfortable even when worn for a long time, providing an excellent wearing comfort, and suppressing side leakage.

[0083] In addition, in the napkin 1B, an example has been given in which the cracks S are located on the side portions 28 of the topsheet 2 in the front region A, middle region B, and rear region C, but the cracks S may be configured to be located only in the middle region B, which has the area facing the excretory part where more menstrual blood is likely to be supplied, thereby efficiently reducing residual liquid on the surface of the topsheet 2.

[0084] [Example of slit placement] As shown in Fig. 3, in two first slit rows L1 adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction Y, the first slits 13 belonging to one of the first slit rows L1 are preferably arranged to face the gaps 15 between the first slits 13 belonging to the other first slit row in the horizontal direction Y. That is, in this example, the first slits 13 of the two first slit rows L1 adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction Y are arranged offset in the vertical direction X. This makes it easier for menstrual blood that has not been absorbed in the gaps 15 of one of the first slit rows L1 to move to the first slits 13 of the other first slit row L1. This makes it possible to further promote the movement of menstrual blood in the thickness direction Z in the excretory part-facing region of the topsheet 2, and more effectively suppress menstrual blood from remaining on the surface and spreading within the plane.

[0085] The arrangement of the slits 13, 14 is not limited to the example in Fig. 3. For example, the spacing portions 15 of two first slit rows L1 adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction Y may face each other in the horizontal direction Y, and the first slits 13 of these first slit rows L1 may be aligned in the vertical direction X.

[0086] 3, the first slit row L1 preferably extends forward and backward in the vertical direction X from the first stacked portion 11. This can promote the movement of menstrual blood in the thickness direction Z throughout the first stacked portion 11. However, the first slit row L1 does not have to extend from the first stacked portion 11.

[0087] [Example of adhesive placement] The napkin 1 may have an adhesive for bonding adjacent members together, other than the adhesive H1 disposed in the bonding region 17. For example, as shown in Fig. 2, an adhesive H2 for bonding to the sublayer sheet 5 may be disposed on the non-skin side 2b of the topsheet 2. An adhesive H3 for bonding to the sublayer sheet 5 may be disposed on the skin side of the absorbent 4 (the skin side of the main absorbent sheet 41). An adhesive H4 for bonding to the non-skin side of the absorbent 4 (the non-skin side of the main absorbent sheet 41) may be disposed on the backsheet 3.

[0088] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0089] For example, in the above embodiment, the side joint 20 is composed of the adhesive portion 10a and the embossed compressed portion 8, but it may be composed of either the adhesive portion 10a or the embossed compressed portion 8. Even in such a configuration, a pocket-like space 19 having an opening facing inward in the lateral direction Y is formed between the side sheet and the top sheet by the side joint, and a tear S is located corresponding to the space 19. Therefore, similar to the above embodiment, menstrual blood diffused in the in-plane direction of the top sheet can be efficiently transferred to the tear S located corresponding to the pocket-like space 19.

[0090] From the viewpoint of effectively blocking the migration of menstrual blood outward in the lateral direction Y from the crack S, it is more preferable that the side joint 20 includes an embossed compressed section 8. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of easily forming the crack S at a desired position and shape, it is more preferable that the side joint 20 is composed of the adhesive section 10a and the embossed compressed section 8, as in the above-mentioned embodiment. Moreover, from the viewpoint of blocking the diffused menstrual blood by the adhesive section and the embossed compressed section, and allowing the diffused menstrual blood to be efficiently absorbed into the absorbent body through the crack, it is preferable that the side joint 20 is composed of the adhesive section 10a and the embossed compressed section 8.

[0091] In the above embodiment, the embossed compressed portions 8 are formed over the entire length of the napkin 1, but the embossed compressed portions 8 may be formed partially in the longitudinal direction X with respect to the entire length of the napkin 1. For example, the embossed compressed portions may be formed only in the middle region B, and a part of the embossed compressed portions may overlap the adhesive portion 10a, and another part of the embossed compressed portions may not overlap the adhesive portion 10a and may extend laterally beyond the side edge portion 10b on the inner side in the transverse direction of the adhesive portion 10a. It is preferable that both the embossed compressed portions 8 and the adhesive portion 10a extend over the entire length of the napkin 1 in the longitudinal direction X. This makes the degree of bonding between the top sheet and side sheet by the side joints almost uniform over the entire length of the napkin, giving a good visual impression to consumers, and by locating the cracks created by the formation of the side joints on both sides over the entire length of the product, it becomes easier to guide liquid into the absorbent, and even if liquid flows diagonally to the rear side or front side, it can be efficiently absorbed without leaking through the cracks in the side parts.

[0092] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, an example was given in which a plurality of cracks S are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction X, but at least one crack S is sufficient, and menstrual blood that reaches the crack S can be quickly transferred in the thickness direction, suppressing lateral leakage and reducing residual liquid on the surface.

[0093] Although a napkin has been described as an example of an absorbent article, the present invention is not limited to this. However, the present invention is preferably applied to sanitary absorbent articles such as napkins and panty liners intended for viscous body fluids such as menstrual blood and vaginal discharge. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 1, 1A, 1B... Napkins (sanitary napkins, absorbent articles) 2. Surface sheet 3…Back sheet 4…Absorbent 7...Side seat 20, 20B…Side joint 28…Side of surface sheet S...crack X: Vertical direction Y: Horizontal Z: Thickness direction

Claims

1. An absorbent article having a vertical direction corresponding to a front-to-rear direction of a wearer, a horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and corresponding to a left-to-right direction of the wearer, and a thickness direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, the article comprising an absorbent body, a top sheet arranged on the skin side of the absorbent body, a back sheet arranged on the non-skin side of the absorbent body, and side sheets extending in the vertical direction and arranged on the skin side of both sides in the horizontal direction of the top sheet, The top sheet mainly contains absorbent fibers, The top sheet has a side joint portion extending in the longitudinal direction and joined to the side sheet, The top sheet has a crack on the lateral inner side of the side joint portion in a region overlapping with the side sheet in a plan view seen from the thickness direction. Absorbent articles.

2. The side joint portion includes an embossed compressed portion formed by compressing the top sheet and the side sheet. The absorbent article of claim 1.

3. The side joint portion includes the embossed compressed portion and an adhesive portion extending in the longitudinal direction where the top sheet and the side sheet are bonded by an adhesive, a part of the embossed compressed portion overlaps with the adhesive portion when viewed from the thickness direction, and another part of the embossed compressed portion is positioned so as to protrude in the laterally direction from a side edge portion on an inner side in the laterally direction of the adhesive portion, The crack is located on the inner side of the other portion of the embossed compressed portion in the lateral direction. The absorbent article of claim 2.

4. The cracks are spaced apart along the longitudinal direction, The embossed compressed portion is present on the outer side in the lateral direction of the space between the adjacent cracks along the longitudinal direction. The absorbent article according to claim 2 or 3.

5. In the longitudinal direction, the cushion is divided into a middle region including a portion facing the excretory part of the wearer, a front region located in front of the middle region, and a rear region located behind the middle region, The top sheet has no opening in the lateral center of the middle region that is equal to or larger than the longitudinal length of the split.

3. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The hydrophilic sublayer sheet is disposed between the top sheet and the absorbent body. The constituent fibers of the sublayer sheet are present within the cracks.

3. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The hydrophilic sublayer sheet is disposed between the top sheet and the absorbent body. The absorbent body has a slit penetrating in a thickness direction, The constituent fibers of the sublayer sheet are present within the slit.

3. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2.

8. In the longitudinal direction, the cushion is divided into a middle region including a portion facing the excretory part of the wearer, a front region located in front of the middle region, and a rear region located behind the middle region, The absorbent body has a laminated structure of a plurality of absorbent sheets, The absorbent body has a slit penetrating in the thickness direction, The absorbent body has, in the intermediate region, a first laminate portion located in the horizontal center portion, and a second laminate portion located laterally outward of the first laminate portion and having a smaller number of laminated absorbent sheets than the first laminate portion, The plurality of absorbent sheets include one or more main absorbent sheets arranged across the first stack and the second stack, and one or more central absorbent sheets arranged only in the first stack, The main absorbent sheet has a skin-side absorbent section and a non-skin-side absorbent section laminated in the thickness direction, the central absorbent sheet is disposed between the skin-side absorbent portion and the non-skin-side absorbent portion in the first laminate portion; At the boundary between the first laminated portion and the second laminated portion, the end portion of the central absorbent sheet is not joined to the main absorbent sheet.

3. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2.

9. The central absorbent sheet and the non-skin-side absorbent part are not joined together. The absorbent article of claim 8.

10. the central absorbent sheet has a joining region joined to the skin-side absorbent portion, The slits include a first slit having at least a portion disposed in the first stacked portion, The bonding region overlaps with the first slit in a plan view seen from the thickness direction. The absorbent article of claim 8.

11. the slits include a first slit and a second slit; the absorber has a first slit row including a plurality of the first slits arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction, and a second slit row including a plurality of the second slits arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction, At least a portion of the first slit row is disposed in the first stacked portion, the second slit row is disposed in the second stack portion on the outer side of the first slit row in the lateral direction, In the first slit row and the second slit row adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction with the boundary portion therebetween, at least one of the second slits in the second slit row is disposed so as to face in the horizontal direction a space between the first slits in the first slit row. The absorbent article of claim 8.

12. In the longitudinal direction, the cushion is divided into a middle region including a portion facing the excretory part of the wearer, a front region located in front of the middle region, and a rear region located behind the middle region, The gap is provided in the middle region.

3. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2.

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