Absorbent article

Abstract

To provide an absorbent article which is equipped with a surface sheet with water-absorbing fibers as a main body and excellent in a use feeling.SOLUTION: An absorbent article includes an absorber, a surface sheet disposed on a skin side of an absorber, and a rear surface sheet disposed on a non-skin side of the absorber. The absorbent article is divided into a middle area including a part opposite the wearer's excretion part, a front area located in front of the middle area, and a rear area located at a back of the middle area with respect to a vertical direction. A rectangular area inside a pair of straight lines defining a maximum width in a horizontal direction of the absorber in the middle area is divided further into an inner area and a pair of outer areas located left and right in the horizontal direction of the inner area by being divided into three in the horizontal direction. The surface sheet contains water-absorbing fibers as a main body. The surface sheet has a plurality of holes provided across the inner area and the pair of outer areas. A total area of the plurality of holes in each of the pair of outer areas is larger than a total area of the plurality of holes in the inner area.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

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 comprises an absorbent body, 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, and 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 direction and the horizontal direction. The absorbent article is divided into a middle region including a portion facing the wearer's excretory area, a front region located in front of the middle region, and a rear region located behind the middle region in the longitudinal direction. Of the intermediate region, the rectangular region on the inside of a pair of straight lines that define the maximum lateral width of the absorbent body is further divided into thirds in the lateral direction into an inner region and a pair of outer regions located to the left and right of the inner region in the lateral direction. The top sheet mainly contains water-absorbent fibers. The top sheet has a plurality of holes provided across the inner region and the pair of outer regions. The total area of ​​the plurality of holes in each of the pair of outer regions is greater than the total area of ​​the plurality of holes in the inner region. 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] 2 is a partial plan view of the top sheet of the sanitary absorbent article, showing an enlarged rectangular region R surrounded by a dashed line in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] 11 is a plan view for explaining details of a rectangular region R. FIG. [Diagram 5]FIG. 2 is a plan view of an absorbent body of the sanitary absorbent article. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional schematic view of a sanitary absorbent article according to 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 an absorbent body 4, a topsheet 2, and a backsheet 3 in a main body M. The napkin 1 also preferably comprises 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, absorbent body 4, sublayer sheet 5, topsheet 2, and 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 bodily fluids, 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 by embossing, and an adhesive portion 10a where the top sheet 2 and the side sheet 7 are bonded by an adhesive 10 such as a hot melt adhesive. 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. In Fig. 1, the adhesive portion 10a is indicated by a dot.

[0022] 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 is located outside the lateral direction Y of the inner side edge 70 of the side sheet 7. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, a pocket-like space 19 formed by the top sheet 2 and the side sheet 7 is formed inside the lateral direction Y of the side joint 20. In this embodiment, the inner part of the lateral direction Y of the side sheet 7 is doubled by folding the side sheet 7 inward, and the folded part forms the inner side edge 70 of the side sheet 7 in the lateral direction Y. Since the tear S is covered and hidden by the double side sheet 7, the presence of the tear S is even more difficult for the wearer to recognize.

[0023] 1, the embossed compressed portions 8 are arranged in the vertical direction X across the front region A, the middle region B, and the rear region C, and are configured, for example, in a shape that extends along the vertical direction X as a whole and meanders (zigzags) in the horizontal direction Y. Note that, although in this embodiment, the embossed compressed portions 8 are formed in a continuous line in the vertical direction X, they may be discontinuous, and for example, may be formed in a line that extends overall in the vertical direction X with a plurality of dot-like compressed portions intermittently arranged.

[0024] 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.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, a portion of the embossed compressed portion 8 that overlaps with the adhesive portion 10a in a plan view (a portion of the embossed compressed portion 8) is referred to as a first portion 81, and a portion that does not overlap with the adhesive portion 10a (another portion of the embossed compressed portion 8) is referred to as a second portion 82. The second portion 82 is located protruding in the horizontal direction Y from a side edge portion 10b on the inner side in the horizontal direction Y of the adhesive portion 10a. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the zigzag embossed compressed portion 8 has the first portion 81 that overlaps with the adhesive portion 10a in a plan view, and the second portion 82 that does not overlap with the adhesive portion 10a in a plan view. Approximately the vertical half of the embossed compressed portion 8 on the outer side in the horizontal direction Y is the first portion 81, and approximately the vertical half on the inner side in the horizontal direction Y is the second portion 82. The embossed compressed portions 8 do not protrude from the side edge portion 10c on the outer side of the adhesive portion 10a in the horizontal direction Y, but only from the side edge portion 10b on the inner side of the adhesive portion 10a in the horizontal direction Y. The protruding second portions 82 have a shape in which a plurality of approximately semicircular arc patterns convex inward in the horizontal direction Y are arranged intermittently along the vertical direction X.

[0026] In the example shown in Figs. 1 and 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.

[0027] [Detailed composition of the surface sheet] (Overall composition) 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.

[0028] "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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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., regenerated fibers, semi-synthetic fibers such as 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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 not easily formed, resulting in a soft feel. Furthermore, since the topsheet 2 has high water absorbency, it is easy to diffuse body fluids within the surface of the topsheet 2.

[0033] 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.

[0034] (Basic structure of hole) Fig. 3 shows an enlarged view of the rectangular region R (see Fig. 1) in which the absorbent body 4 is present in the intermediate region B of the napkin 1 according to this embodiment. In Fig. 3, only the topsheet 2 is shown, with the side sheets 7 and other components omitted, and the main body compressed grooves 9a are also omitted. As shown in Fig. 3, the rectangular region R of the intermediate region B is further divided into an inner region R1 and a pair of outer regions R2 by dividing it into three equal parts in the lateral direction Y. That is, in the napkin 1, the three regions of the inner region R1 and the pair of outer regions R2 all have the same dimensions in the lateral direction Y, the inner region R1 is located in the middle of the rectangular region R in the lateral direction Y, and the pair of outer regions R2 are located on the left and right of the inner region R1 in the lateral direction Y. In the napkin 1, the portion facing the excretory part is included in the inner region R1.

[0035] In the absorbent body 4 shown in FIG. 1, both ends in the lateral direction Y extend linearly along the vertical direction X, and the dimension in the lateral direction Y is constant in the intermediate region B, but the absorbent body 4 according to this embodiment is not limited to such a shape. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the absorbent body 4 may have a shape that is narrowed from both sides in the lateral direction Y in the intermediate region B. In this way, when the positions of both ends in the lateral direction Y of the absorbent body 4 in the intermediate region B are not aligned along the vertical direction X, the region in the lateral direction Y inside of a pair of straight lines L1, L2 that define the maximum width in the lateral direction Y of the absorbent body 4 in the intermediate region B is set as a rectangular region R. More specifically, the straight line L1 is a straight line that passes through the outer end E1 located at the leftmost position in the lateral direction Y of the absorbent body 4 in the intermediate region B and extends along the vertical direction X. The straight line L2 is a straight line that passes through the outer end E2 located at the rightmost position in the lateral direction Y of the absorbent body 4 in the intermediate region B and extends along the vertical direction X. In other words, the rectangular region R is defined as a rectangular region having four sides defined by the boundary line between the middle region B and the front region A, the boundary line between the middle region B and the rear region C, the straight line L1, and the straight line L2. Note that the shape of the absorbent body 4 refers to its shape as a whole, and for example, in a configuration including an absorbent core and a core wrap sheet, it refers to the shape of both viewed as a single unit, and in a configuration without a core wrap sheet, it refers to the shape of only the absorbent core.

[0036] The top sheet 2 according to this embodiment has a plurality of first and second holes 21, 22 across the inner region R1 and the outer region R2. The first hole 21 is provided in the inner region R1, and the second hole 22 is provided in the outer region R2. Both holes 21, 22 have a shape recessed from the skin side surface 2a of the top sheet 2 toward the non-skin side surface 2b. Each hole 21, 22 constitutes an independent region separated from the other, and is distinguished from grooves such as the main compressed groove 9a and the auxiliary compressed groove 9b that extend continuously linearly along the in-plane direction. The shape of each hole 21, 22 in a plan view may be any shape that constitutes an independent region, and may be, for example, a circle, an ellipse, a polygon (rectangle, triangle, hexagon, etc.), a star, a crescent, etc.

[0037] Each hole 21, 22 can be configured as, for example, a through hole or a compressed recess. The through hole penetrates the top sheet 2 in the thickness direction Z, and is recessed, for example, from the skin side 2a to the non-skin side 2b of the top sheet 2. The compressed recess is compressed by the top sheet 2 together with the absorbent body 4 from the skin side 2a, and is recessed, for example, from the skin side 2a to the non-skin side 2b of the top sheet 2. The first hole 21 and the second hole 22 may have the same configuration or different configurations. Furthermore, the multiple first hole 21 may have a common configuration or different configurations from each other. Furthermore, the multiple second hole 22 may have a common configuration or different configurations from each other.

[0038] Each of the holes 21, 22 has the effect of accelerating the diffusion of bodily fluids in the in-plane direction in the top sheet 2 and facilitating the permeation of the bodily fluids downward in the thickness direction Z through the top sheet 2. Specifically, when the holes 21, 22 are both through-holes, the top sheet 2 has a relatively lower density than the surrounding parts. As a result, the through-holes in the top sheet 2 act to draw in the surrounding bodily fluids, accelerating the diffusion of the bodily fluids in the in-plane direction. Then, in the top sheet 2, the bodily fluids drawn into the through-holes can smoothly permeate downward in the thickness direction Z through the through-holes, which have a low density and a small number of constituent fibers. Also, when the holes 21, 22 are both compressed recesses, the top sheet 2 has a high density by being compressed in the thickness direction Z. As a result, the top sheet 2 has a high diffusion rate in the in-plane direction of the bodily fluids in the compressed recesses due to the capillary phenomenon, accelerating the diffusion of the bodily fluids in the in-plane direction. Furthermore, in the topsheet 2, the dimension in the thickness direction Z is small at the compressed recesses, so that bodily fluids can permeate downward in the thickness direction Z over a short distance.

[0039] In the topsheet 2 according to this embodiment, the total area of ​​the area occupied by the second holes 22 in each of the pair of outer regions R2 is larger than the total area of ​​the area occupied by the first holes 21 in the inner region R1. In other words, the area ratio of the area occupied by the second holes 22 in the outer region R2 on the left side in the horizontal direction Y and the area ratio of the area occupied by the second holes 22 in the outer region R2 on the right side in the horizontal direction Y are both larger than the area ratio of the area occupied by the first holes 21 in the inner region R1 in the middle in the horizontal direction Y. As a result, in the topsheet 2, the above-mentioned effects of the holes 21 and 22 are obtained moderately in the inner region R1, and are obtained more effectively in the outer region R2 than in the inner region R1. The areas of the holes 21 and 22 in the topsheet 2 can be obtained by image analysis from a photograph taken in a plan view so that the topsheet 2 is visible in the entire rectangular region R of the napkin 1.

[0040] With this configuration, in the topsheet 2 according to the present embodiment, when a small amount of body fluid is excreted in the inner region R1, the body fluid can be quickly transmitted downward in the thickness direction Z of the topsheet 2 through the first holes 21 in the inner region R1. On the other hand, in the topsheet 2, when a large amount of body fluid is excreted in the inner region R1, a part of the body fluid is transmitted downward in the thickness direction Z through the first holes 21 in the inner region R1, and since the topsheet 2 is mainly composed of absorbent fibers, the remaining body fluid on the topsheet 2 is quickly diffused to the outer region R2, and can be more reliably transmitted downward in the thickness direction Z through the second holes 22 that occupy a larger area than the first holes 21. In this way, in the topsheet 2, when a large amount of body fluid is excreted in the inner region R1, the in-plane position at which the body fluid is transmitted downward in the thickness direction Z can be controlled so that it is not concentrated in the inner region R1 but is widely distributed to the outer region R2. As a result, in the napkin 1, the absorption amount per unit area of ​​the absorbent 4 exceeds a limit in the inner region R1, and bodily fluids not absorbed by the absorbent 4 are prevented from returning to the skin side 2a of the topsheet 2. Therefore, the wearing comfort of the napkin 1 is not easily impaired by such liquid returning.

[0041] It is preferable that the second holes 22 in the outer region R2 are longer in the longitudinal direction X than the first holes 21 in the inner region R1. For body fluids with high viscosity such as menstrual blood and vaginal discharge, the diffusion in the longitudinal direction X and the downward drawing in the thickness direction Z in the inner region R1 are suppressed, while the diffusion to the outer region R2 in the top sheet 2 is promoted, and the diffused body fluid is captured by the second holes 22 long in the longitudinal direction X and easily diffuses in the thickness direction Z, so that the contact area per unit time between the absorbent body 4 and the body fluid can be increased. For this reason, body fluids such as menstrual blood and vaginal discharge, which have a higher viscosity than urine and generally have a slower absorption rate, do not remain in a narrow region of the absorbent body 4 and can come into contact with a wide area of ​​the absorbent body 4, so that the body fluid is quickly captured by the absorbent body 4 and is less likely to return. From the same viewpoint, it is preferable that the area of ​​each of the second holes 22 is larger than that of each of the first holes 21. In addition, the length and area in the longitudinal direction X of the first and second hole portions 21, 22 are values ​​measured in a state in which the absorbent article 1 is stretched in the longitudinal direction X and the lateral direction Y when the absorbent article 1 does not have a flat shape along the XY plane in its natural state.

[0042] Here, when the absorbent body 4 is made thin by forming a laminated structure of the absorbent sheet 40 as described later in order to improve the wearing comfort, generally, the thinness of the absorbent body 4 makes it difficult for the absorbent body 4 to quickly absorb bodily fluids, and bodily fluids are likely to remain on the surface of the top sheet 2, 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 4 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 that has diffused in the in-plane direction of the top sheet 2 to the outer region R2 can be moved downward in the thickness direction Z through the second hole portion 22. In this way, even in the thin napkin 1, by forming the top sheet 2 from water-absorbent fibers and providing the cracks S in the top sheet 2, it is possible to obtain an excellent wearing comfort in which liquid is unlikely to remain on the surface of the top sheet 2 and discomfort is not felt.

[0043] The topsheet 2 according to this embodiment preferably includes compressed recesses as the first holes 21 provided in the inner region R1. As a result, the inner region R1 of the topsheet 2 has high rigidity due to the action of the high-density compressed recesses, and undesirable deformation such as twisting is unlikely to occur in the inner region R1 including the portion facing the excretory area. Therefore, in the napkin 1, the fit of the topsheet 2 to the excretory area is unlikely to be impaired.

[0044] In addition, in the topsheet 2 according to this embodiment, it is preferable that the second hole portions 22 provided in the pair of outer regions R2 include through-hole portions. As a result, in the topsheet 2, the low-density through-hole portions draw in surrounding body fluids, and in combination with the topsheet 2 being mainly composed of absorbent fibers, the diffusion of body fluids from the inner region R1 to the outer region R2 is promoted. In addition, in the topsheet 2, the low-density through-hole portions improve the flexibility of the outer region R2, improving the fit to the groin area and increasing wearing comfort.

[0045] (More preferable configuration of the hole) In addition, the topsheet 2 according to this embodiment preferably includes a fissure S adjacent to the side joint 20 on the inside in the lateral direction Y in the region overlapping the side sheet 7 in a plan view as a through hole portion constituting the second hole portion 22 provided in the pair of outer regions R2. In the example shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a plurality of fissures S are arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction X in the side portions 28 of the topsheet 2 in the front region A and the rear region C. The fissures S have a crescent shape convex toward the inside in the lateral direction Y. The fissures S are located on the inside in the lateral direction Y of the side joint 20. By providing the fissures S, bodily fluids such as menstrual blood that have spread in the in-plane direction of the topsheet 2 and reached the fissures S are easily transferred downward in the thickness direction Z through the fissures S. This makes it possible to prevent discomfort caused by liquid remaining on the surface of the topsheet 2. The fissures S are located covered and hidden by the side sheets 7 when the napkin 1 is viewed from the skin side. This makes it difficult for the wearer to notice the presence of the crack S, and does not cause unnecessary anxiety.

[0046] Here, in the manufacture of the napkin 1, the backsheet 3, absorbent body 4, sublayer sheet 5, and topsheet 2 are laminated together, and the adhesive 10 is applied in a line extending in the longitudinal direction X on both side portions 28 in the lateral direction Y of the 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 Z.

[0047] 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 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 the thickness direction Z.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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 in a position adjacent to the inner side in the lateral direction Y of the side joint portion 20. More specifically, a crack S following 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.

[0051] In the napkin 1 of this embodiment, the embossed compressed portion 8 is zigzag-shaped, and the embossed compressed portion 8 is arranged so that the second portion 82 extending from the adhesive portion 10a beyond the side edge portion 10b on the inner side in the horizontal direction Y has a shape of a plurality of semicircular arcs lined up, so that a plurality of crescent-shaped cracks S are formed lined up at intervals in the vertical direction X on each of the side portions 28 of the top sheet 2.

[0052] 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.

[0053] In addition, 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. The body fluid that diffuses in the in-plane direction of the top sheet 2 and reaches the side portion 28 constituting the outer portion in the lateral direction Y of the outer region R2 is easily introduced into the pocket-like space 19. In other words, the body fluid that diffuses in the top sheet 2 is easily transferred to the crack S efficiently. As a result, the body fluid that diffuses in the in-plane direction of the top sheet 2 can be efficiently transferred downward in the thickness direction Z from the crack S, and the amount of liquid remaining on the surface is reduced, so that the wearer is less likely to feel wet and uncomfortable even when worn for a long time, and side leakage is suppressed.

[0054] [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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] 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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 2 and 5, the absorbent body 4 has a plurality of slits from the viewpoint of promoting the transfer of bodily fluids 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.

[0060] 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 transfer of bodily fluids in the thickness direction Z, it is preferable that the absorbent body 4 has a plurality of first slit rows L1 and a plurality of second slit rows L2. In the example shown in Fig. 5, 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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.

[0063] 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.

[0064] 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.

[0065] 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.

[0066] In the above configuration, the absorbent body 4 is configured to be thin because 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, body fluids such as menstrual blood can easily seep into the slits 13, 14, and the diffusion of body fluids into the absorbent body 4 can be promoted. This makes it possible to promote the transfer of body fluids from the top sheet 2 to the absorbent body 4 in the thickness direction Z, and suppresses the diffusion of excess body fluids within the surface of the top sheet 2.

[0067] The absorbent 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 outer side in the lateral direction Y of the first slit row L1. This allows the first slit row L1 to promote the transfer of bodily fluids in the thickness direction Z in the first laminated portion 11 located in the excretory part facing region, as well as the transfer of bodily fluids in the thickness direction Z in the second laminated portion 12 on the outer side in the lateral direction 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 transfer bodily fluids that have diffused from the area on the space 15 of the first slits 13 in the topsheet 2 to the area on 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 body fluids 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.

[0068] 5, 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 bodily fluids that are not absorbed in the gaps 15 of one of the first slit rows L1 to migrate to the first slits 13 of the other first slit row L1. This makes it possible to further promote the migration of menstrual blood in the thickness direction Z in the excretory-part-facing region of the topsheet 2, and more effectively suppress the bodily fluids from remaining on the surface or spreading in the plane.

[0069] 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 stacked 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.

[0070] 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.

[0071] 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.

[0072] 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.

[0073] 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.

[0074] In the napkin 1 according to the present embodiment, the outer region R2 and the second laminated portion 12 shown in Fig. 3 overlap in plan view, and the second hole portion 22 is preferably located in the region of the outer region R2 overlapping with the second laminated portion 12. With this configuration, the body fluid that has diffused in the in-plane direction of the top sheet 2 to the outer region R2 and passed through the second hole portion 22 to the second laminated portion 12 of the absorbent body 4 located below the second hole portion 22 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 body fluid that has reached the second laminated portion 12 is likely to rapidly migrate to the first laminated portion 11 without the intervention of an adhesive or the like. This allows bodily fluids to be trapped inside the first laminated portion 11, which has a larger number of laminated absorbent sheets 40 and a higher absorption capacity than the second laminated portion 12, and further suppresses return of fluid to the surface of the topsheet 2, resulting in a napkin 1 that is less likely to cause discomfort. In addition, since the end portion 42a of the central absorbent sheet 42 is not joined to the main absorbent sheet 41 at the boundary portion, when the first slit 13 and / or the second slit 14 near the boundary portion 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 less likely to occur in the absorbent body 4 near the boundary portion, and deterioration of the wearing comfort due to such wrinkles and creases can be suppressed.

[0075] 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 bodily fluids in the thickness direction Z, bodily fluids absorbed into the absorbent body 4 in the region facing the excretory part are 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 4.

[0076] 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 transfer of bodily fluids to the non-skin side absorbent section 44, and allows the bodily fluids to be retained in the non-skin side absorbent section 44 away from the topsheet 2. This can prevent redness and residual fluid on the topsheet 2, effectively reducing anxiety about leakage.

[0077] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, 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. 5, 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 bodily fluids to the central absorbent sheet 42, it is preferable that the adhesive H1 is 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.

[0078] In addition, as shown in Fig. 5, 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 bodily fluids to transfer from the skin-side absorbent section 43 to the central absorbent sheet 42 through the first slit 13. This makes it easier for bodily fluids to transfer into the inside of the absorbent body 4, and more effectively promotes the transfer of bodily fluids in the thickness direction Z from the topsheet 2 to the absorbent body 4.

[0079] [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 bodily fluids, allowing the bodily fluids to be transferred quickly to the absorbent body 4. This can promote the transfer of bodily fluids in the thickness direction Z from the topsheet 2 to the absorbent body 4, and can suppress leakage or excessive spreading of bodily fluids on the topsheet 2.

[0080] 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.

[0081] 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.

[0082] 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. 6, 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. 6, the constituent fibers of the sublayer sheet 5 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 be inserted into the crack S. With this configuration, bodily fluids such as menstrual blood that have diffused in 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.

[0083] In addition, in the napkin 1, as in the napkin 1A shown in FIG. 6, 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 Z 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, the body fluid that has migrated from the top sheet 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, and the liquid diffusion in the thickness direction Z downward can be improved. This can reduce the amount of liquid remaining on the surface of the top sheet 2.

[0084] [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.

[0085] [Other embodiments] 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.

[0086] For example, in the absorbent article 1 according to the present embodiment, the above configuration may be partially changed or partially omitted as long as the effects of the present invention are achieved. For example, in the absorbent article 1, the configuration of the absorbent body 4 is not limited to the laminated structure of the absorbent sheet 40 as described above in which the slits 13, 14 are provided, and it can be changed to any known configuration. In addition, the absorbent article 1 may not have at least one of the sublayer sheet 5 and the side sheet 7 in some cases.

[0087] In addition, although the above embodiment has been described with a napkin taken as an example of an absorbent article, the absorbent article according to 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]

[0088] 1... Napkins (absorbent articles) 2. Surface sheet 3…Back sheet 4…Absorbent 5. Sublayer sheet 7...Side seat 21,22...hole X: Vertical direction Y: Horizontal Z: Thickness direction R…Rectangular area R1: Inner region R2…outer area 21,22...hole

Claims

1. An absorbent article comprising an absorbent body, 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, the article having 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 direction and the horizontal direction, 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 rectangular region on the inner side of the pair of straight lines that define the maximum width of the absorbent body in the lateral direction of the intermediate region is further divided into an inner region and a pair of outer regions located on the left and right of the inner region in the lateral direction by dividing the rectangular region into three equal parts in the lateral direction, The top sheet mainly contains water-absorbent fibers, the top sheet has a plurality of holes provided across the inner region and the pair of outer regions, In a plan view, a total area of ​​the plurality of holes in each of the pair of outer regions is larger than a total area of ​​the plurality of holes in the inner region. Absorbent articles.

2. Further comprising a pair of side sheets and a pair of side joining portions that join the pair of side sheets to the top sheet in the pair of outer regions, The plurality of holes arranged in the outer region overlap with the pair of side sheets in a plan view and include cracks adjacent to the inner side in the lateral direction relative to the pair of side joint portions. The absorbent article of claim 1.

3. The plurality of holes include a compression recess provided in the inner region, in which the topsheet is recessed together with the absorbent body, and a through hole provided in each of the pair of outer regions, penetrating the topsheet in the thickness direction.

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

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

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

5. 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 center in the horizontal direction, and a second laminate portion located outward in the horizontal direction from 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 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 skin side absorbent portion and the non-skin side absorbent portion.

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

6. The central absorbent sheet and the non-skin-side absorbent part are not joined together. The absorbent article of claim 5.

7. the absorbent body has a joining region where the central absorbent sheet and the skin side absorbent portion are joined, The bonding region overlaps with the slit in the first laminate portion in a plan view. The absorbent article according to claim 5.

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