holder

Abstract

To provide a holder that allows for easy fastening of an absorbent pad and also prevents leakage of excretion.SOLUTION: An annular holder 1 that can be worn around the waist of a wearer, and can be held in a state where an absorbent pad 11 is worn by the wearer, has a height direction HD along a height direction of the wearer and a circumferential direction CD along a waist direction, and a first region R1, a second region R2, and a third region R3 from an upper side toward a lower side in the height direction HD. The first region R1 is a region that forms a peripheral edge of a waist opening WH. The third region R3 includes a center position in the height direction HD and has higher extension stress than that of the first region R1. The second region R2 has lower extension stress than those of the first region R1 and the third region R3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a holder for holding an absorbent pad on a wearer. [Background technology]

[0002] As one type of absorbent article such as disposable diapers, there is known a separate type that includes an absorbent pad that absorbs and retains body fluids such as urine, and a holder that is worn in a ring shape around the waist of a wearer and holds the absorbent pad placed in the crotch area of ​​the wearer, and the absorbent pad is configured to be detachable from the holder. In conventional separate type absorbent articles, as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the holder is provided with a holder-side fastening structure that can fasten the fastening structure of the absorbent pad. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-329590 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2010-082139 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In separate-type absorbent articles, the holder may be twisted while being worn, causing wrinkles in the holder-side fastening structure, etc. If wrinkles occur in the holder-side fastening structure before the absorbent pad is fastened to the holder, it becomes difficult to fasten the absorbent pad to the holder-side fastening structure. In addition, if the holder is twisted and wrinkled after the absorbent pad is fastened to the holder, a gap is generated between the holder and the wearer's skin, which may cause leakage of excrement. The absorbent articles of Patent Documents 1 and 2 do not consider these points at all, and there is room for improvement.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a holder to which an absorbent pad can be easily attached and which can prevent leakage of excrement. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention relates to an annular holder that is fitted around the waist of a wearer and is capable of holding an absorbent pad attached to the wearer. The holder preferably has a height direction along the height direction of the wearer and a circumferential direction along the waist direction. It is preferable that the holder has, in this order from one end to the other end in the height direction, a first region, a second region, and a third region, the first region being a region that forms the peripheral edge of the waist opening, the third region including a central position in the height direction, and having a higher tensile stress than the first region, and the second region having a lower tensile stress than both the first region and the third region. Other features, advantages and embodiments of the present invention are described below. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a holder to which an absorbent pad can be easily attached and which can prevent leakage of excrement. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a holder of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a schematic view of the non-skin facing surface (outer surface) on the ventral side of the holder shown in FIG. 1 in the maximum extended state. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view that diagrammatically shows a cross section taken along line II in FIG. 2 (a cross section along the height direction and thickness direction of the holder shown in FIG. 2). [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of use of the holder shown in FIG. 1, and is a perspective view of a disposable diaper (absorbent article) including the holder and an absorbent pad attached thereto. [Diagram 5]FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway schematic plan view of the skin-facing surface (inner surface) of the diaper shown in FIG. 4 in an unfolded and fully stretched state. [Figure 6] 6(a) to 6(c) are diagrams showing another embodiment of the holder of the present invention, and are cross-sectional views of the abdominal side part along the height direction of the holder. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a specific stretchable nonwoven fabric that can be used as a constituent member of the holder shown in FIG. 1, and is a perspective view showing the nonwoven fabric with a part cut away for illustrative purposes. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] The present invention will be described below based on preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. The drawings are basically schematic, and the ratio of each dimension may differ from the actual one.

[0010] 1 to 3 show a holder 1 which is an embodiment of the holder of the present invention. In addition, in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, a disposable diaper 10 including the holder 1 and an absorbent pad 11 attached thereto is shown as an example of use of the holder of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 4, the diaper 10 is configured by connecting the holder 1 and the absorbent pad 11 via a holder-side fastening structure 6 and a pad-side fastening structure 16, and has a waist opening WH of the holder 1 and a pair of leg openings LH, LH defined by a lower end of the holder 1 in a height direction HD and both side edges of the absorbent pad 11 along a longitudinal direction (a longitudinal direction X to be described later). Note that the absorbent pad 11 is not a component of the holder 1.

[0011] The diaper 10, which is a separate type absorbent article, reduces the burden on the environment compared to conventional non-separate type absorbent articles because the holder 1 and the absorbent pad 11 can be freely connected and separated via the fastening structures 6, 16. That is, when a conventional non-separate type absorbent article in which the part corresponding to the wearer's waist (part corresponding to the holder) and the part corresponding to the wearer's crotch (part corresponding to the absorbent pad) are inseparably integrated, is disposed of after use, even if the part corresponding to the holder is not soiled, it must be disposed of together with the part corresponding to the absorbent pad which is soiled with excrement. However, with the diaper 10, it is only necessary to replace only the absorbent pad 11 with a new one while leaving the holder 1 as it is, so that the amount of waste disposal and carbon dioxide emissions are reduced compared to non-separate type absorbent articles, and this contributes to reducing the burden on the environment. In addition, since the absorbent pad 11 is removably fixed to the holder 1 while the diaper 10 is being worn, the absorbent pad 11 can be easily replaced with a new one, and the burden of replacing the diaper 10 is significantly reduced compared to conventional non-separate type absorbent articles.

[0012] The holder 1 is attached in a ring shape around the waist of a wearer and can hold the absorbent pad 11 in a state where it is attached to the wearer, i.e., worn, and has a height direction HD along the height direction of the wearer and a circumferential direction CD along the waist direction. The holder 1 is provided with a holder-side fastening structure 6 to which the pad-side fastening structure 16 of the absorbent pad 11 can be detachably fastened.

[0013] Here, the absorbent pad 11 will be briefly described with reference to Figs. 4 and 5. The absorbent pad 11 includes a liquid-permeable top sheet 12 arranged relatively close to the wearer's skin, a liquid-impermeable, poorly liquid-permeable or water-repellent back sheet 13 arranged relatively far from the wearer's skin, and an absorbent body 14 interposed between the two sheets 12, 13. These members constituting the absorbent pad 11 are integrated with each other by a known joining means such as an adhesive. The absorbent pad 11 has a shape long in one direction in a plan view, and when the absorbent pad 11 is used, its longitudinal direction is aligned with the height direction HD of the holder 1 in a state in which the absorbent pad 11 is previously attached to the wearer. The longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 11 corresponds to the vertical direction X corresponding to the front-rear direction of the wearer of the diaper 10, and the horizontal direction Y of the absorbent pad 11 perpendicular to the vertical direction X corresponds to the circumferential direction CD of the holder 1. A pair of leakage preventing cuffs 15, 15 are arranged on both sides along the longitudinal direction X of the absorbent pad 11, which stand up against the wearer's skin when the diaper 10 is worn. Each leakage preventing cuff 15 includes a leakage preventing cuff forming sheet 150 which forms the main part of the leakage preventing cuff 15, and an elastic member 151 fixed to the sheet 150 in a stretched state in the longitudinal direction X. A pad-side fastening structure 16 is arranged on the skin-facing surface of each of both ends in the longitudinal direction X of the absorbent pad 11, and the absorbent pad 11 can be detachably fastened to the holder 1 by fastening the pad-side fastening structure 16 to the holder-side fastening structure 6 of the holder 1. In addition, absorbent pad 11 is merely one embodiment of an absorbent pad to which the holder of the present invention can be applied, and an absorbent pad to which the holder of the present invention can be applied is not limited to absorbent pad 11 as long as it has a pad side fastening structure that can be attached to the holder side fastening structure of the holder.

[0014] In this specification, the term "skin-facing surface" refers to the surface of a worn article such as an absorbent article, a holder, or an absorbent pad, or a component thereof (e.g., the holder side fastening structure of a holder), which faces the skin of the wearer when the worn article is worn, and the term "non-skin-facing surface" refers to the surface of the worn article or a component thereof, which faces the side opposite the skin when the worn article is worn.

[0015] The holder 1 will now be described in detail. The holder 1 has a ventral part F arranged on the ventral side (front side) of the wearer and a dorsal part R arranged on the dorsal side (rear side) of the wearer, and is equipped with a holder main body part 2 which constitutes the main part of the holder 1. The holder main body part 2 forms the outer shape (outline) of the holder 1 in a plan view, and the upper end 1a and the lower end 1b of the holder 1 in the height direction HD are the upper end and the lower end of the holder main body part 2. The holder side fastening structure 6 is fixed to the holder main body part 2.

[0016] In this embodiment, the holder 1 (holder main body 2) is annular as shown in Fig. 1, and has a waist opening WH into which the wearer's torso is inserted when worn. Specifically, in the holder 1 of this embodiment, the holder main bodies 2 of the ventral portion F and the dorsal portion R are joined to each other at both longitudinal ends thereof by known joining means such as adhesives or fusion to form a pair of joints S, S, and the ventral portion F and the dorsal portion R are connected via the pair of joints S, S to form a ring shape. The joints S correspond to side seals in a typical non-separate pants-type disposable diaper.

[0017] In this embodiment, the holder 1 (holder main body portion 2) has a rectangular shape when viewed in a plane in the maximum extended state as shown in FIG. 2, and the upper end 1a and lower end 1b in the height direction HD are straight lines parallel to a direction perpendicular to the height direction HD. In addition, in this embodiment, the ventral portion F and the dorsal portion R have the same shape and dimensions when viewed in a plane, and when the ventral portion F and the dorsal portion R are superimposed while maintaining the joint portion S without being destroyed, their contours coincide.

[0018] In this specification, the term "maximum stretched state" refers to a state in which the elastic members of each part of a worn article, such as an absorbent article, holder, absorbent pad, etc., are stretched to their maximum extent and expanded to the same dimensions as the design dimensions, i.e., the dimensions when spread out flat without any effect of the elastic members. In addition, the term "unfolded and maximum stretched state" refers to a state in which the worn article is spread out flatly to an unfolded state and then put into the maximum stretched state. In the case of an absorbent article having a side seal portion, such as the joint portion S of the holder 1 described above, the absorbent article is separated at the side seal portion and spread out flatly to put into the unfolded state.

[0019] In this embodiment, the holder 1 includes an outer layer sheet 3 that forms a non-skin facing surface (outer surface) of the holder 1, and an inner layer sheet 4 that forms a skin facing surface (inner surface) of the holder 1. The inner layer sheet 4 can come into contact with the wearer's skin when the holder 1 is worn.

[0020] 3, the upper end of the outer sheet 3 in the height direction HD is folded back to the skin-facing surface side, the upper end 1a of the holder 1 is located at the fold of the folded back outer sheet 3, and the vicinity (upper end) of the upper end 1a of the holder 1 includes a laminated structure of the outer sheet 3 and its folded back portion 30. The folded back portion 30 and the outer sheet 3 facing it are joined to each other by a known joining means such as adhesive or fusion.

[0021] In this embodiment, the holder 1 includes elastic members 5 arranged to be stretchable in a direction perpendicular to the height direction HD (circumferential direction CD). More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of elastic members 5 are arranged between the outer layer sheet 3 and the inner layer sheet 4, and between the outer layer sheet 3 and its folded-back portion 30, to be stretchable in a direction perpendicular to the height direction HD (circumferential direction CD). As shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of elastic members 5 extend over the entire length of the ventral portion F and the dorsal portion R in a direction perpendicular to the height direction HD (circumferential direction CD), and are arranged intermittently in the height direction HD. Each elastic member 5 is fixed to other surrounding members by adhesive. The number and positions of the elastic members 5 are not particularly limited, and may be appropriately set in consideration of the fit of the holder 1 to the wearer's body, etc.

[0022] Nonwoven fabrics, woven fabrics, resin films, etc. manufactured by various methods can be used for both sheets 3 and 4. Specific examples of nonwoven fabrics that can be used for each of sheets 3 and 4 include spunbond nonwoven fabrics, air-through nonwoven fabrics, and needle-punched nonwoven fabrics, and they may have a single-layer structure or a laminate structure in which one or more types of nonwoven fabrics are laminated. The sheets 3, 4 may be of the same type or different types. Here, "same type" means that the manufacturing process, type of constituent fibers, diameter and length of the constituent fibers, thickness and basis weight of the fiber sheet are all the same between the sheets. If even one of these is different, the sheets are "different types" between the sheets.

[0023] Since the holder 1 does not include an absorbent that absorbs and retains moisture, if washable materials are used for the constituent members, including the sheets 3 and 4, the holder 1 can be washed and reused. The fact that the holder 1 is washable leads to a reduction in the amount of waste and carbon dioxide emissions, and can contribute to reducing the burden on the environment. From the viewpoint of making the holder 1 washable, woven fabrics are preferred for the sheet-like constituent members, including the sheets 3 and 4.

[0024] The holder side fastening structure 6, which is one of the characteristic parts of the holder 1, will be described. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1 etc., the holder side fastening structure 6 is provided on the non-skin facing surface (outer surface) of the holder 1, and more specifically, is fixed to the non-skin facing surface of the outer sheet 3. In this embodiment, the holder side fastening structure 6 is disposed in a third region R3, which will be described later.

[0025] The holder-side fastening structure 6 may be any known detachable fastening structure as long as it can detachably fasten the pad-side fastening structure 16 (see FIG. 5) of the absorbent pad 11. For example, one or both of the holder-side fastening structure 6 and the pad-side fastening structure 16 may have an adhesive part formed by applying an adhesive, and the pad-side fastening structure 16 may be detachably fastened to the holder-side fastening structure 6 via the adhesive part.

[0026] In this embodiment, a mechanical hook-and-loop fastener is used as the fastening structure including the holder-side fastening structure 6 and the pad-side fastening structure 16. The term "mechanical hook-and-loop fastener" used here refers to a fastener that is a set of a surface member (male member) having a hook material (engagement member) made of hook-shaped protrusions arranged on one surface, and a surface member (female member) having a loop material made of pile-shaped protrusions arranged on one surface. A specific example of a mechanical hook-and-loop fastener is Magic Tape (registered trademark). Specifically, in this embodiment, the holder-side fastening structure 6 is a female member of a mechanical hook-and-loop fastener, and includes a base material and a fastening region provided on the non-skin-facing surface (outer surface) of the base material, to which the pad-side fastening structure 16 can be fastened. The base material of the holder-side fastening structure 6 is directly fixed to the main body 2 via a known joining means 60 (see FIG. 3) such as an adhesive or fusion. The pad-side fastening structure 16 is a male member of a mechanical hook-and-loop fastener, and typically has a configuration in which a large number of the hook members are arranged on the surface of a base material made of a resin film, woven fabric, nonwoven fabric, or the like.

[0027] One of the main features of the holder 1 is that, as shown in FIG. 3, the holder 1 has a first region R1, a second region R2, and a third region R3 in this order from one end to the other end in the height direction X. The first region R1 is a region that forms the peripheral edge of the waist opening WH. The third region R3 includes the center position of the holder 1 in the height direction X. The first region R1, the second region R2, and the third region R3 are regions that divide the holder 1 based on differences in tensile stress. Specifically, the third region R3 has a higher tensile stress than the first region R1. The second region R2 has a lower tensile stress than the first region R1 and the third region R3. In other words, the tensile stress increases in the order of the second region R2, the first region R1, and the third region R3. As described above, the holder 1 of this embodiment has a ventral portion F and a dorsal portion R, and each of the ventral portion F and the dorsal portion R has a first region R1, a second region R2, and a third region R3. More specifically, the first region R1, the second region R2, and the third region R3 are each continuous over the entire circumference of the holder 1 in the circumferential direction CD.

[0028] The first region R1, the second region R2, and the third region R3 are identified by their locations in the height direction X and differences in elongation stress. <Method of Identifying the First Region R1, the Second Region R2, and the Third Region R3> As described above, the holder 1 has a plurality of elastic members 5, and when the holder 1 is viewed along the height direction HD, the region where the elastic members 5 are not arranged is the second region R2, and the regions where the elastic members 5 are arranged are the first region R1 and the third region R3. Here, whether or not the elastic members 5 are arranged can be determined based on the length in the height direction HD of the region where the elastic members 5 are not present. Specifically, when the ratio of the length of the region where the elastic members 5 are not present to the total length L of the holder 1 in the height direction HD is 0.02 or more, it is determined that the elastic members 5 are not present in that region. In this embodiment, a nonwoven fabric containing elastic filaments can be used as the outer layer sheet 3 or the inner layer sheet 4 of the holder 1, but the elastic filaments contained in the nonwoven fabric are not included in the elastic member 5 referred to here. In other words, in the region where the elastic member 5 is not arranged, i.e., the second region R2, elastic filaments contained in the nonwoven fabric constituting the outer layer sheet 3 or the inner layer sheet 4 may be present. Nonwoven fabrics containing elastic filaments will be described later. The first region R1 and the third region R3 are adjacent to the second region R2 in the height direction HD. In other words, the first region R1 and the third region R3 are located on both sides of the second region R2 in the height direction HD. Of the regions on both sides of the second region R2 in the height direction HD, the region having a high tensile stress in the circumferential direction CD is the third region R3. A method for measuring the tensile stress will be described later. <Method of measuring tensile stress> A sample piece having a length of 120 mm in the circumferential direction CD and a length of 30 mm in the height direction HD is cut out from a measurement target area, for example, the second area 2, in the ventral part F or dorsal part R of the holder 1. The sample piece is cut out together with the holder main body part 2. The sample piece is cut out so that the upper end of the sample piece in the height direction HD coincides with the upper end of the measurement target area in the height direction HD. If the length of the measurement target area in the height direction HD is less than 30 mm, a sample piece as large as possible is cut out. Next, the cut sample pieces are clamped between a pair of chucks in a Tensilon tensile tester (ORIENTEC's "RTC-1210A"). The distance between the chucks is 100 mm. Next, the sample pieces are stretched at a speed of 300 mm / min until the distance between the chucks becomes 200 mm, and then the tensile load is measured when the distance between the chucks is returned to 150 mm, and the load is converted into units of "cN / 10 mm". This measurement is performed on five sample pieces, and the average of these (the average of the tensile loads when the distance between the chucks is returned to 150 mm) is taken as the elongation stress (cN / 10 mm).

[0029] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3, a plurality of elastic members 5 are arranged in the first region R1 and the third region R3, while no elastic members are arranged in the second region R2. As a result, the second region R2 has a lower tensile stress than the first region R1 and the third region R3. Also, the elastic member (hereinafter also referred to as "third elastic member") 53 arranged in the third region R3 has a larger fineness than the elastic member (hereinafter also referred to as "first elastic member") 51 arranged in the first region R1, and as a result, the third region R3 has a higher tensile stress than the first region R1.

[0030] In the holder 1 of this embodiment, the magnitude relationship of the tensile stresses of the first region R1, the second region R2, and the third region R3 is as described above, so that it is possible to prevent wrinkles from occurring in the third region R3 and the holder-side fastening structure 6 arranged in the region R3. This point will be described in detail below. In the holder 1, the tensile stress of the second region R2 is low, so that when the holder 1 is twisted, wrinkles are more likely to occur in the second region R2 than in the first region R1 and the third region R3. When the holder 1 is twisted, wrinkles are generated in the second region R2, so that it is possible to suppress the generation of wrinkles in regions other than the second region R2, i.e., the first region R1 and the third region R3. Therefore, when the holder 1 is worn, a gap is less likely to occur between the holder 1 and the wearer's skin in the third region R3 located lower than the second region R2 in the height direction X, so that leakage of excrement can be prevented. In addition, since wrinkles are less likely to occur in the third region R3, wrinkles are also less likely to occur in the holder side fastening structure 6 arranged in the region R3, so that the absorbent pad 11 can be easily fastened to the holder side fastening structure 6. In this way, the holder 1 can easily attach the absorbent pad and prevent leakage of excrement. This effect is also achieved when the fourth region R4 described below is present. In the holder 1 of this embodiment, the third region R3 in the holder 1 is the region with the highest elongation stress.

[0031] In this embodiment, the first region R1, the second region R2, and the third region R3 are each continuous over the entire circumference of the holder 1 in the circumferential direction CD. In other words, the first region R1, the second region R2, and the third region R3 are each annular regions. In this embodiment, it is preferable that at least the third region R3 of the first region R1, the second region R2, and the third region R3 is continuous over the entire circumference of the holder 1 in the circumferential direction CD. By doing so, when the holder 1 is worn, even if any position in the circumferential direction CD of the holder 1 is disposed on the wearer's abdominal side, it is possible to achieve the effect that the absorbent pad can be easily fastened and the leakage of excrement can be prevented. From the viewpoint of achieving this effect more significantly, it is preferable that all of the first region R1, the second region R2, and the third region R3 are continuous over the entire circumference of the holder 1 in the circumferential direction CD.

[0032] From the viewpoint of making it easier to fasten the absorbent pad and more significantly preventing leakage of excrement, the ratio S2 / S1 of the tensile stress S2 of the second region R2 to the tensile stress S1 of the first region R1 is preferably 0.01 or more, more preferably 0.25 or more, even more preferably 0.40 or more, and preferably 0.97 or less, more preferably 0.70 or less, even more preferably 0.50 or less, and preferably 0.01 or more and 0.97 or less, more preferably 0.25 or more and 0.70 or less, even more preferably 0.40 or more and 0.50 or less.

[0033] From a similar viewpoint, the ratio S2 / S3 of the tensile stress S2 of the second region R2 to the tensile stress S3 of the third region R3 is preferably 0.01 or more, more preferably 0.20 or more, even more preferably 0.35 or more, and also preferably 0.91 or less, more preferably 0.70 or less, even more preferably 0.50 or less, and also preferably 0.01 or more and 0.91 or less, more preferably 0.20 or more and 0.70 or less, even more preferably 0.35 or more and 0.50 or less.

[0034] The tensile stress R1 of the first region is preferably 5 cN / 10 mm or more, more preferably 10 cN / 10 mm or more, even more preferably 25 cN / 10 mm or more, and preferably 60 cN / 10 mm or less, more preferably 50 cN / 10 mm or less, even more preferably 40 cN / 10 mm or less, and preferably 5 cN / 10 mm or more and 60 cN / 10 mm or less, more preferably 10 cN / 10 mm or more and 50 cN / 10 mm or less, even more preferably 25 cN / 10 mm or more and 40 cN / 10 mm or less.

[0035] The elongation stress R2 of the second region is preferably 1 cN / 10 mm or more, more preferably 5 cN / 10 mm or more, even more preferably 12 cN / 10 mm or more, and preferably 50 cN / 10 mm or less, more preferably 35 cN / 10 mm or less, even more preferably 20 cN / 10 mm or less, and preferably 1 cN / 10 mm or more and 50 cN / 10 mm or less, more preferably 5 cN / 10 mm or more and 35 cN / 10 mm or less, even more preferably 12 cN / 10 mm or more and 20 cN / 10 mm or less.

[0036] The tensile stress R3 of the third region is preferably 10 cN / 10 mm or more, more preferably 20 cN / 10 mm or more, even more preferably 35 cN / 10 mm or more, and preferably 100 cN / 10 mm or less, more preferably 85 cN / 10 mm or less, even more preferably 60 cN / 10 mm or less, and preferably 10 cN / 10 mm or more and 100 cN / 10 mm or less, more preferably 20 cN / 10 mm or more and 85 cN / 10 mm or less, even more preferably 35 cN / 10 mm or more and 60 cN / 10 mm or less.

[0037] It is also preferable that the third region R3 has a higher rigidity than the first region R1 and the second region R2. This can further prevent the third region R3 and the holder-side fastening structure 6 disposed in the region R3 from being wrinkled, making it easier to attach the absorbent pad 11 and more effective in preventing leakage.

[0038] The stiffness can be measured by the following method. <Method of measuring stiffness> A sample piece having a length of 50 mm in the circumferential direction CD and a length of 30 mm in the height direction HD is cut out from a measurement target area, for example the third area, in the ventral part F or dorsal part R of the holder 1. The sample piece is cut out together with the holder main body part 2. The sample piece is cut out so that the upper end of the sample piece in the height direction HD coincides with the upper end of the measurement target area in the height direction HD. If the length of the measurement target area in the height direction HD is less than 30 mm, a sample piece as large as possible is cut out. Next, the cut sample pieces are measured using a Handle-O-Meter (Model HOM-3, manufactured by Taisha) with a measurement rise and fall time of 15 seconds, a blade [pressure plate] thickness of 2 mm, and a pressing depth of 10 mm, with the slit width set to 40 mm, and the sample pieces are placed on the sample stage at right angles to the slit width, with the middle part of the sample piece set as the measurement part, and the load value of the bending rigidity is measured. This measurement is carried out for five sample pieces, and the average of these is taken as the load value of the bending rigidity (g).

[0039] From the viewpoint of more effectively suppressing the occurrence of wrinkles in the third region R3 and the holder side fastening structure 6 arranged in said region R3, the ratio G3 / G1 of the rigidity G3 of the third region R3 to the rigidity G1 of the first region R1 is preferably 1.0 or more, more preferably 2.0 or more, even more preferably 3.0 or more, and preferably 10.0 or less, more preferably 7.0 or less, even more preferably 5.0 or less, and preferably 1.0 or more and 10.0 or less, more preferably 2.0 or more and 7.0 or less, even more preferably 3.0 or more and 5.0 or less.

[0040] From a similar viewpoint, the ratio G2 / G3 of the rigidity G2 of the second region R2 to the rigidity G3 of the third region R3 is preferably 0.05 or more, more preferably 0.10 or more, even more preferably 0.12 or more, and preferably 0.95 or less, more preferably 0.70 or less, even more preferably 0.50 or less, and preferably 0.05 or more and 0.95 or less, more preferably 0.12 or more and 0.70 or less, even more preferably 0.1 or more and 0.50 or less.

[0041] In addition, it is preferable that the second region R2 has a lower rigidity than the first region R1. This makes it easier for wrinkles to occur in the second region R2 when the holder 1 is twisted, and effectively prevents wrinkles from occurring in regions other than the second region R2, making it easier to attach the absorbent pad and more effectively preventing leakage.

[0042] In order to make this effect more pronounced, the ratio G2 / G1 of the rigidity G2 of the second region R2 to the rigidity G1 of the first region R1 is preferably 0.05 or more, more preferably 0.3 or more, even more preferably 0.5 or more, and preferably 0.99 or less, more preferably 0.85 or less, even more preferably 0.7 or less, and preferably 0.1 or more and 0.99 or less, more preferably 0.3 or more and 0.85 or less, even more preferably 0.5 or more and 0.7 or less.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 3, the holder 1 of this embodiment preferably has the fourth region R4 below the third region R3 in the height direction HD. The advantages of the holder 1 having the fourth region R4 are as follows. When the holder 1 is twisted, the fourth region R4 expands and contracts in the height direction HD, and wrinkles are formed in the fourth region R4, thereby preventing wrinkles from occurring in the third region R3. By preventing wrinkles from occurring in the third region R3, wrinkles are also less likely to occur in the holder side fastening structure 6 arranged in the third region R3, so that the absorbent pad 11 can be easily fastened to the holder side fastening structure 6. The tensile stress of the fourth region R4 may be lower than the tensile stress of the third region R3 or may be the same as the tensile stress of the third region R3. From the viewpoint of making it easier for wrinkles to occur in the fourth region R4 when the holder 1 is twisted, the tensile stress of the fourth region R4 is preferably lower than the tensile stress of the third region R3. The rigidity of the fourth region R4 may be lower than or equal to the rigidity of the third region R3. From the viewpoint of making the fourth region R4 more likely to wrinkle when the holder 1 is twisted, it is preferable that the rigidity of the fourth region R4 is lower than the rigidity of the third region R3.

[0044] The elongation stress R4 of the fourth region is preferably 1 cN / 10 mm or more, more preferably 5 cN / 10 mm or more, even more preferably 14 cN / 10 mm or more, and preferably 50 cN / 10 mm or less, more preferably 35 cN / 10 mm or less, even more preferably 20 cN / 10 mm or less, and preferably 1 cN / 10 mm or more and 50 cN / 10 mm or less, more preferably 5 cN / 10 mm or more and 35 cN / 10 mm or less, even more preferably 14 cN / 10 mm or more and 20 cN / 10 mm or less.

[0045] It is also preferable that the holder 1 of this embodiment includes a stretchable sheet having stretchability in the circumferential direction CD. This can improve the fit of the holder 1. The stretchable sheet may be included in at least one of the first region R1 to the fourth region R4. It is preferable that at least one of the outer layer sheet 3 and the inner layer sheet 4 of the holder 1 is made of a stretchable sheet, and in the holder 1 of this embodiment, the outer layer sheet 3 is made of a stretchable sheet. In the holder 1, as shown in FIG. 3, the stretchable sheet is included in all of the first region R1 to the fourth region R4.

[0046] When the holder 1 includes a stretchable sheet, it is preferable that the second region R2 does not include any elastic body other than the stretchable sheet, as shown in Fig. 3. This ensures that the elongation stress of the second region R2 is lower than that of regions other than the second region R2, making it easier to fasten the absorbent pad and more effectively preventing leakage of excrement.

[0047] An example of a stretchable nonwoven fabric that can be used as a stretchable sheet is a nonwoven fabric containing elastic filaments (hereinafter also referred to as a "specific stretchable nonwoven fabric"). The term "elastic" as used here refers to the property of being stretchable and returning to a length of 125% or less of the original length when the force is released from a state in which the fabric is stretched 100% of its original length (200% of its original length). In the specific stretchable nonwoven fabric, it is preferable that the elastic filaments are bonded to the nonwoven fabric in a substantially unstretched state. It is preferable that the nonwoven fabric contains nonelastic fibers.

[0048] In the specific elastic nonwoven fabric, the elastic filaments are typically substantially continuous over the entire length of the specific elastic nonwoven fabric in the direction in which the elastic filaments extend. The elastic filaments contain an elastic resin. In the specific elastic nonwoven fabric, the nonwoven fabric is stretchable in the same direction as the elastic filament extends. The term "stretchable" here includes (i) the case where the constituent fibers of the nonwoven fabric themselves stretch, and (ii) the case where the constituent fibers of the nonwoven fabric themselves do not stretch, but the fibers bonded at the intersections separate, the three-dimensional structure formed by multiple fibers structurally changes due to bonding between fibers, the constituent fibers are torn, or the slack of the fibers is stretched, so that the nonwoven fabric as a whole stretches. In the specific elastic nonwoven fabric, the nonwoven fabric may already be stretchable in the state of a raw roll before being bonded to the elastic filaments. Alternatively, the nonwoven fabric may not be stretchable in the state of a raw roll before being bonded to the elastic filaments, but may be processed to be stretchable after being bonded to the elastic filaments, so that it becomes stretchable. Specific methods for making the nonwoven fabric stretchable include heat treatment, roll-to-roll stretching, biting stretching by teeth or gears, and tensile stretching by a tenter.

[0049] As a preferred embodiment of the specific elastic nonwoven fabric, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, there is a nonwoven fabric 130 having a configuration in which a plurality of elastic filaments 131 are arranged between two nonwoven fabrics 132, 133 arranged opposite to each other. In such a preferred embodiment, the plurality of elastic filaments 131 are arranged to extend in one direction (for example, a direction perpendicular to the height direction HD) without intersecting each other, and may be arranged intermittently in a direction perpendicular to the one direction, in which case the one direction may be the stretch direction of the specific elastic nonwoven fabric. The two nonwoven fabrics 132, 133 may be of the same type or different types. The term "same type" as used herein refers to the fact that the manufacturing process, the type of constituent fibers, the fiber diameter and fiber length of the constituent fibers, the thickness and basis weight of the nonwoven fabric are all the same between the two nonwoven fabrics being compared. If at least one of these elements is different between the two nonwoven fabrics being compared, the two nonwoven fabrics are of different types.

[0050] The first region R1 may include a folded portion in which at least one of the outer layer sheet 3 and the inner layer sheet 4, which is a stretchable sheet, is folded back to the skin-facing side. In the holder 1 of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, as described above, the outer layer sheet 3 is a stretchable sheet, and the outer layer sheet 3 is folded back to the skin-facing side. In the holder 1 of this embodiment, the first region R1 includes the folded portion 30 of the outer layer sheet 3, as shown in Fig. 3. In the holder 1, the portion between the folded portion 30 and the elastic member 53 arranged in the third region R3 in the height direction HD constitutes the second region R2.

[0051] 1, the region where the holder-side fastening structure 6 is arranged is the third region R3, in other words, the positions of both end edges 6a, 6b in the height direction HD of the holder-side fastening structure 6 coincide with the positions of both end edges in the height direction HD of the third region R3. Note that one or both end edges in the height direction HD of the holder-side fastening structure 6 may extend from the third region R3 (see FIG. 6(b)), or may not reach the end edges in the height direction HD of the third region R3 (see FIG. 6(c)).

[0052] The ratio L1 / L of the length L1 in the height direction HD of the first region R1 to the total length L in the height direction HD of the holder 1 is preferably 0.1 or more, more preferably 0.15 or more, even more preferably 0.2 or more, and preferably 0.6 or less, more preferably 0.5 or less, even more preferably 0.4 or less, and preferably 0.1 or more and 0.6 or less, more preferably 0.15 or more and 0.5 or less, and even more preferably 0.2 or more and 0.4 or less.

[0053] The ratio L2 / L of the length L2 of the second region R2 in the height direction HD to the total length L of the holder 1 in the height direction HD is preferably 0.02 or more, more preferably 0.05 or more, even more preferably 0.10 or more, and preferably 0.60 or less, more preferably 0.50 or less, even more preferably 0.40 or less, and preferably 0.02 or more and 0.60 or less, more preferably 0.05 or more and 0.50 or less, even more preferably 0.10 or more and 0.40 or less.

[0054] The ratio L3 / L of the length L3 of the third region R3 in the height direction HD to the total length L of the holder 1 in the height direction HD is preferably 0.1 or more, more preferably 0.2 or more, even more preferably 0.3 or more, and preferably 0.9 or less, more preferably 0.8 or less, even more preferably 0.6 or less, and preferably 0.1 or more and 0.9 or less, more preferably 0.2 or more and 0.8 or less, even more preferably 0.3 or more and 0.6 or less.

[0055] The ratio L4 / L of the length L4 in the height direction HD of the fourth region R4 to the total length L in the height direction HD of the holder 1 is preferably 0 or more, more preferably 0.05 or more, even more preferably 0.10 or more, and preferably 0.50 or less, more preferably 0.40 or less, even more preferably 0.30 or less, and preferably 0 or more and 0.50 or less, more preferably 0.05 or more and 0.40 or less, even more preferably 0.10 or more and 0.30 or less.

[0056] Next, another embodiment of the holder of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 6(a) to 6(c). For the holder 1 shown in Figures 6(a) to 6(c), the description of the holder 1 shown in Figure 1 applies as appropriate unless otherwise specified. In Figures 6(a) to 6(c), the same members as in Figure 1 are given the same reference numerals.

[0057] The holder 1 shown in Fig. 1 has the fourth region R4, but the holder 1 does not have to have the fourth region R4 as shown in Fig. 6(a). In the holder 1 of the embodiment shown in Fig. 6(a), the lower end of the third region R3 in the height direction HD reaches the lower end of the holder 1 in the height direction HD. In other words, the position of the lower end of the third region R3 in the height direction HD coincides with the position of the lower end 1b in the height direction HD of the holder 1.

[0058] In the holder 1 shown in Fig. 1, no elastic member is arranged in the second region R2, and elastic members 51, 53 with different fineness are arranged in the first region R1 and the third region R3, so that the tensile stress of each region R1, R2, R3 is different. However, instead of this, as shown in Fig. 6(b), the fineness of the elastic members 51, 52, 53 arranged in each region R1, R2, R3 may be made different, so that the tensile stress of each region R1, R2, R3 is made different. In the holder 1 of the embodiment shown in Fig. 6(b), the fineness of the third elastic member 53 is larger than that of the first elastic member 51. Moreover, the fineness of the second elastic member 52 is smaller than that of the first elastic member 51 and that of the third elastic member 53. Moreover, the holder 1 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6(b) has a fourth region R4, and the fineness of the elastic member 54 disposed in the fourth region R4 is the same as the fineness of the first elastic member 51.

[0059] Also, as shown in Fig. 6(c), the number of elastic members 51, 52, 53 per unit length in each of the regions R1, R2, R3 may be made different to make the elongation stress of each of the regions R1, R2, R3 different. In the holder 1 of the embodiment shown in Fig. 6(c), an elastic member (hereinafter also referred to as "second elastic member") 52 is also arranged in the second region R2. In the holder 1 of the embodiment shown in Fig. 6(c), the number of third elastic members 53 per unit length in the third region R3 is greater than the number of first elastic members 51 per unit length in the first region R1. In addition, the number of second elastic members 52 per unit length in the second region R2 is less than the number of first elastic members 51 per unit length in the first region R1 and the number of third elastic members 53 per unit length in the third region R3. Moreover, the holder 1 of the embodiment shown in Figure 6 (c) has a fourth region R4, and the number of elastic members 54 per unit length in the fourth region R4 is the same as the number of first elastic members 51 per unit length in the first region R1.

[0060] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the holder of the present invention may be one that is worn in a ring shape around the waist of the wearer when in use, and may not be ring-shaped when not in use. For example, the holder 1 may be in the form of a belt that is long in one direction, and one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction of the holder 1 may be detachably connectable, so that the holder 1 is in the form of a belt when not in use, and when in use (when worn), the one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction of the holder 1 are connected to form the holder 1 in a ring shape. Alternatively, the holder 1 may be divided into a plurality of members (for example, a member corresponding to the ventral side part F and a member corresponding to the dorsal side part R) in the circumferential direction CD, and the plurality of members may be detachably connectable to each other in one direction, and the plurality of members may be connected to each other to form the ring-shaped holder 1 when in use (when worn).

[0061] In the above embodiment, the ventral part F and the dorsal part R of the holder 1 have the same shape and size in a plan view, but in the present invention, they may have different shapes and / or sizes. Specifically, for example, the lower edge 1b of the dorsal part R may be located lower (farther from the holder side fastening structure 6) than the lower edge 1b of the ventral part F.

[0062] In the above embodiment, both the outer layer sheet 3 and the inner layer sheet 4 have a single layer structure, but in the present invention, one or both of the sheets 3, 4 may have a laminate structure. For example, the outer layer sheet 3 may have a laminate structure of two or more sheets including a sheet having elasticity in the lateral direction Y, and the inner layer sheet 4 may have a single layer structure made of a non-elastic sheet. In the above embodiment, the outer sheet 3 is folded back to form the folded-back portion 30, but in the present invention, the outer sheet 3 does not have to be folded back. Also, the inner sheet 4 may be folded back to the skin-facing surface side to form the folded-back portion.

[0063] In the above embodiment, the holder 1 includes the outer layer sheet 3 and the inner layer sheet 4 as sheet-like members constituting the holder 1, but in the present invention, the holder 1 may include sheet-like members other than the two sheets 3, 4. Specifically, for example, the holder 1 may further include, in addition to the two sheets 3, 4, a functional sheet arranged in an area corresponding to the waist of the wearer on the skin-facing surface (inner surface) of the holder 1 (for example, the area where the folded-back portion 30 is arranged and its vicinity). The functional sheet has at least one of various functions, such as sweat absorption, moisture absorption, antibacterial properties, and deodorizing properties.

[0064] In the above embodiment, the holder side fastening structure 6 is a female member of the mechanical hook-and-loop fastener, and the pad side fastening structure 16 is a male member of the mechanical hook-and-loop fastener, but in the present invention, the holder side fastening structure 6 may be a male member of the mechanical hook-and-loop fastener, and the pad side fastening structure 16 may be a female member of the mechanical hook-and-loop fastener.

[0065] The following supplementary notes are further disclosed regarding the above-described embodiment of the present invention. <1> A ring-shaped holder that is attached around the waist of a wearer and can hold an absorbent pad attached to the wearer, The garment has a height direction along the height direction of the wearer and a circumferential direction along the waist direction, A holder having a first region, a second region and a third region in that order from one end to the other end in the height direction, the first region being a region that forms the peripheral edge of a waist opening, the third region including a central position in the height direction and having a higher tensile stress than the first region, and the second region being lower than both the first region and the third region.

[0066] <2> The ratio of the tensile stress of the second region to the tensile stress of the first region is 0.01 or more and 0.97 or less, preferably 0.25 or more and 0.70 or less, and more preferably 0.40 or more and 0.50 or less. <1> The holder according to claim 1 . <3> The ratio of the tensile stress of the second region to the tensile stress of the third region is 0.01 or more and 0.91 or less, preferably 0.20 or more and 0.70 or less, and more preferably 0.35 or more and 0.50 or less. <1> or <2> The holder according to claim 1 . <4> The third region has a higher rigidity than the first region and the second region. <1> ~ <3> 13. A holder according to any one of the preceding claims. <5> The ratio of the rigidity of the third region to the rigidity of the first region is 1.0 or more and 10.0 or less, preferably 2.0 or more and 7.0 or less, and more preferably 3.0 or more and 5.0 or less. <4> The holder according to claim 1 . <6> The ratio of the stiffness of the second region to the stiffness of the third region is 0.05 or more and 0.95 or less, preferably 0.12 or more and 0.70 or less, and more preferably 0.1 or more and 0.50 or less. <4> or <5> The holder according to claim 1 . <7> The second region has a lower stiffness than the first region. <4> ~ <6> 13. A holder according to any one of the preceding claims. <8> The ratio of the stiffness of the second region to the stiffness of the first region is 0.1 or more and 0.99 or less, more preferably 0.3 or more and 0.85 or less, and even more preferably 0.5 or more and 0.7 or less. <7> The holder according to claim 1 .

[0067] <9> A holder-side fastening structure for fastening the absorbent pad is formed in the third region. <1> ~ <8> 13. A holder according to any one of the preceding claims. <10> a fourth region below the third region in the height direction; <1> ~ <9> 13. A holder according to any one of the preceding claims. <11> The tensile stress of the fourth region is lower than the tensile stress of the third region. <10> The holder according to claim 1 . <12> The fourth region has a lower stiffness than the third region. <10> or <11> The holder according to claim 1 . <13> The ratio of the length of the fourth region in the height direction to the entire length of the holder in the height direction is 0 to 0.50, more preferably 0.05 to 0.40, and even more preferably 0.10 to 0.30. <10> ~ <12> 13. A holder according to any one of the preceding claims.

[0068] <14> the ratio of the length of the first region in the height direction to the total length of the holder in the height direction is 0.1 or more and 0.6 or less, preferably 0.15 or more and 0.5 or less, and more preferably 0.2 or more and 0.4 or less; <1> ~ <13> 13. A holder according to any one of the preceding claims. <15> The ratio of the length of the second region in the height direction to the entire length of the holder in the height direction is 0.02 or more and 0.60 or less, more preferably 0.05 or more and 0.50 or less, and even more preferably 0.10 or more and 0.40 or less. <1> ~ <14> 13. A holder according to any one of the preceding claims. <16> the ratio of the length of the third region in the height direction to the entire length of the holder in the height direction is 0.1 or more and 0.9 or less, preferably 0.2 or more and 0.8 or less, and more preferably 0.3 or more and 0.6 or less; <1> ~ <15> 13. A holder according to any one of the preceding claims.

[0069] <17> The holder includes a stretchable sheet, The second region does not include any elastic body other than the stretch sheet. <1> ~ <16> 13. A holder according to any one of the preceding claims. <18> a holder body having an outer layer sheet forming an outer surface and an inner layer sheet disposed on the inner surface side of the outer layer sheet; The third region has a plurality of elastic members arranged along the circumferential direction, At least one of the outer layer sheet and the inner layer sheet is made of a stretchable sheet, The first region includes a folded-back portion where at least one of the outer layer sheet and the inner layer sheet, which is made of the stretchable sheet, is folded back toward the skin-facing surface side, A second region is defined between the folded-back portion in the height direction and the elastic member disposed in the third region. <1> ~ <17> 13. A holder according to any one of the preceding claims. <19> the first region, the second region, and the third region are all continuous around the entire circumference of the holder in the circumferential direction; <1> ~ <18> 13. A holder according to any one of the preceding claims. <20> The above <1> ~ <19> A holder according to any one of the above items, an absorbent pad attachable to the holder; An absorbent article comprising: [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1 Holder F ventral part R dorsal part 2 Holder body 3 Outer layer sheet 30 Folding part 4 Inner layer sheet 5 Elastic member 6 Holder side fastening structure S-junction HD holder height direction Circumferential direction of CD holder 10 Disposable diapers (separate absorbent articles) 11 Absorbent Pads 16 Pad side fastening structure R1 1st area R2 2nd area R3 3rd area R4 4th area

Claims

1. An annular holder that is attached around the wearer's waist and capable of holding the absorbent pad attached to the wearer, It has a height direction that follows the wearer's height and a circumferential direction that follows the wearer's waist circumference, A holder having a first region, a second region, and a third region in that order from one end to the other in the height direction, wherein the first region is the region that forms the periphery of the waist opening, the third region includes the central position in the height direction and has a higher tensile stress than the first region, and the second region has a lower tensile stress than both the first and third regions.

2. The holder according to claim 1, wherein the third region has higher rigidity than the first and second regions.

3. The holder according to claim 2, wherein the second region has lower rigidity than the first region.

4. The holder according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the holder-side fastening structure for fastening the absorbent pad is formed in the third region.

5. The holder according to claim 1 or 2, wherein it has a fourth region below the third region in the height direction.

6. The holder includes an elastic sheet, The holder according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second region does not include any elastic body other than the stretchable sheet.

7. The holder body comprises an outer layer sheet forming the outer surface and an inner layer sheet disposed on the inner side of the outer layer sheet. The third region has a plurality of elastic members arranged along the circumferential direction, At least one of the outer layer sheet and the inner layer sheet is made of an elastic sheet. The first region includes a folded portion in which at least one of the outer layer sheet and the inner layer sheet, which is made up of the stretchable sheet, is folded back toward the skin-facing side. The holder according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the space between the folded portion in the height direction and the elastic member arranged in the third region is the second region.

8. A holder according to claim 1 or 2, An absorbent pad that can be attached to the holder, An absorbent article equipped with [a specific feature].

Images