Absorbent article

Abstract

To provide an absorbent article improving a feeling of wear of a wearer.SOLUTION: An absorbent article includes: a length along the longitudinal direction corresponding to the front-back direction of a wearer; a length along the width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction; a front body area positioned at the front side of the wearer in the front-back direction; a back body area positioned at the back side of the wearer; a crotch area positioned between the front body area and the back body area; a pair of tapes extending to the outside in the width direction in the back body area, and having a hook part disposed at the skin surface side of the wearer; an engaged part disposed in the exterior surface of the front body area, and allowing the hook part to be repeatedly engaged therewith; and a folding part disposed at the front side of the area in the width direction inside of the tape, and extending obliquely to the longitudinal direction back side from the front side to the back side in the longitudinal direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Tape-type absorbent articles are known in the art (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-068464 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A tape-type absorbent article is fixed to the wearer's body in a state where it surrounds the wearer's waist and thighs. However, there is a risk that the tape-type absorbent article may slip off the wearer due to the movement of the wearer's legs, resulting in a decrease in comfort when worn.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article that improves the wearing comfort of the wearer. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An absorbent article according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: A length along a longitudinal direction corresponding to the front-rear direction of the wearer, and a length along a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, In the front-to-rear direction, a front body region located in front of the wearer, a rear body region located behind the wearer, and a crotch region located between the front body region and the rear body region; A pair of tapes having hook portions extending outward in the width direction in the rear body region and disposed on the skin side of the wearer; an engaged portion provided on an exterior surface of the front body region and capable of repeatedly engaging with the hook portion; The tape further includes a folded portion disposed at a front side of the inner region in the width direction of the tape and extending obliquely from the front side to the rear side in the longitudinal direction with respect to the rear side in the longitudinal direction. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the wearing comfort of the wearer. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a diaper according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the diaper according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the diaper according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the diaper according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a tape provided on a diaper according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of how the tape provided on the diaper according to the embodiment is folded when the diaper is in a distributed state. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which the diaper according to the embodiment is worn by a wearer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an absorbent article according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the configurations of the following embodiments are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to the configurations of these embodiments. isn't it.

[0010] <Embodiment> In this embodiment, the longitudinal direction of a tape-type disposable diaper (an example of an "absorbent article" in the present application, hereinafter simply referred to as a "diaper") is the direction connecting the front body facing the wearer's abdomen and the rear body facing the back. Between the front body (one side in the longitudinal direction) and the rear body (the other side in the longitudinal direction) (at the center in the longitudinal direction), a crotch portion facing the wearer's crotch (positioned facing the crotch). In addition, when the diaper is worn by a wearer (hereinafter abbreviated as "worn state"), the side facing the wearer's skin (the inner side when worn) is the skin-facing side, and the opposite side to the skin-facing side (the outer side when worn) is the non-skin-facing side. Furthermore, the direction connecting the skin-facing side and the non-skin-facing side is the thickness direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction and the thickness direction is the width direction. In addition, the view from the thickness direction is the planar view. A diaper has a length along a longitudinal direction corresponding to the front-to-rear direction of a wearer, and a length along a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and is worn between the crotch of a wearer. In addition, terms related to directions used in this application mean directions corresponding to the front-to-rear and left-to-right directions of a wearer when the diaper is worn. For example, the front-to-rear direction in this application means a direction corresponding to the front-to-rear and left-to-right directions of a wearer when the diaper is worn. In addition, the left-to-right direction in this application means a direction corresponding to the left-to-right directions of a wearer when the diaper is worn.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a diaper 1 according to this embodiment. The diaper 1 according to this embodiment is for adults (for nursing care). The diaper 1 has a crotch region 1B, which is a region corresponding to the crotch covering the pubic area of ​​the wearer when worn, a front body region 1F, which is located in front of the crotch region 1B and corresponds to the waist of the wearer's abdomen, and a back body region 1R, which is located behind the crotch region 1B and corresponds to the waist of the wearer's back. Tapes 2L1, 2L2, 2R1, and 2R2 (an example of the "tape" in this application) are provided on the left and right edges of the back body region 1R, which have hook portions on the skin side of the wearer and can be engaged with a front patch 2F (an example of the "engaged portion" in this application) provided in the front body region 1F and looped on the non-skin side, at a hook portion 11 (an example of the "hook portion" in this application). When the tapes 2L1, 2L2, 2R1, and 2R2 are engaged with the front patch 2F with the front body region 1F positioned on the wearer's abdomen and the rear body region 1R positioned on the wearer's back, the diaper 1 is secured to the wearer's body surrounding the wearer's waist and thighs. Since the diaper 1 is secured to the wearer's body in this manner, the wearer can freely change positions while wearing the diaper 1.

[0012] In the diaper 1, an absorbent 6 capable of absorbing and retaining liquid is mainly disposed near the crotch region 1B. In addition, in order to prevent the formation of gaps between the diaper 1 and the wearer's skin that serve as a liquid outflow path, the diaper 1 is provided with leg gathers 3AL, 3AR at a portion along the wearer's leg circumference (thighs), and three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R are provided on the inner side of the leg gathers 3AL, 3AR in the width direction of the diaper 1, and a waist gather 3W is provided at a portion along the wearer's abdominal circumference. The leg gathers 3AL, 3AR, the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R, and the waist gathers 3W are in close contact with the wearer's skin by the elastic force of the elastic members. Therefore, the liquid discharged from the wearer is absorbed by the absorbent 6 without leaking out of the diaper 1. As the elastic member, a thread-like or strip-like rubber or the like can be appropriately selected.

[0013] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a diaper 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the diaper 1 according to an embodiment, cut widthwise at the longitudinal centre. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the diaper 1 according to an embodiment. The diaper 1 has a cover sheet 4 which forms the outer surface when worn. The cover sheet 4 is a sheet-like member having a generally rectangular appearance with constrictions 4KL, 4KR in the areas corresponding to the long sides, and forms the exterior surface of the diaper 1. The constrictions 4KL, 4KR are provided in the areas where the wearer's thighs are located (leg surrounding portions 10L, 10R shown in FIG. 4). The cover sheet 4 serves to reinforce the back sheet 5, which will be described later, and to improve the feel. For example, in order to prevent leakage of excrement, a nonwoven fabric made of a liquid-impermeable thermoplastic resin can be used as the material. Examples of liquid-impermeable thermoplastic resins include polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). The cover sheet 4 forms the outer peripheral shape (outer shape) of the diaper 1. The cover sheet 4 is a sheet that forms the front body region 1F, the crotch region 1B, and the back body region 1R described above. The cover sheet 4 is not limited to a single-layer structure, and may be a multi-layer structure having an inner cover sheet and an outer cover sheet.

[0014] The diaper 1 has a back sheet 5, an absorbent 6, and a top sheet 7, which are laminated in this order on the skin-facing side of the cover sheet 4. The back sheet 5 has the same size and planar shape as the cover sheet 4. Therefore, the cover sheet 4 and the back sheet 5 extend from the front body region 1F to the rear body region 1R to form the outer peripheral shape (outer shape) of the diaper 1. The back sheet 5 is a sheet-like member having a substantially rectangular appearance with constrictions 5KL, 5KR at the portions corresponding to the long sides, and is disposed on the skin-facing side of the cover sheet 4. The constrictions 5KL, 5KR are provided at the portions where the wearer's thighs are located (the leg surrounding portions 10L, 10R shown in FIG. 4). The top sheet 7 is a sheet-like member having a substantially rectangular appearance. The top sheet 7 is made of a water-permeable sheet. The absorbent core 6C of the absorbent 6 is a mat-like member having a substantially hourglass-shaped appearance. The top sheet 7 may have constrictions at the portions corresponding to the long sides, similar to the back sheet 5.

[0015] The back sheet 5, absorbent 6, and top sheet 7 are laminated in order on the cover sheet 4 with their longitudinal direction coinciding with the longitudinal direction of the cover sheet 4. The back sheet 5, like the cover sheet 4, is a film formed of a liquid-impermeable thermoplastic resin material to suppress leakage of discharged liquid. The back sheet 5 is preferably made of a material that also has moisture permeability to suppress stuffiness when worn. The top sheet 7 is a sheet-like member that is placed on the wearer's skin side so as to cover the water-absorbing surface of the absorbent 6. This top sheet 7 has water permeability in part or all of it. Therefore, when the diaper 1 is worn, the discharged liquid discharged by the wearer passes through the top sheet 7 that may come into contact with the wearer's skin and enters the absorbent 6, where it is absorbed. For example, a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, or a porous film is used as the material for the top sheet 7. The top sheet 7 may be hydrophilic. The joining of the sheets and the like includes adhesion with a hot melt adhesive, ultrasonic fusion, and the like.

[0016] The back sheet 5, the absorbent 6, and the top sheet 7 all extend from the front body region 1F to the rear body region 1R. Therefore, when the wearer's private parts are covered with the cover sheet 4 in which the back sheet 5, the absorbent 6, and the top sheet 7 are laminated, the longitudinal ends of the back sheet 5, the absorbent 6, and the top sheet 7 are located on the wearer's ventral side and back side. In other words, the wearer's private parts are covered by the absorbent 6 from the wearer's ventral side to the back side. Therefore, whether the wearer is lying supine or prone, the discharged liquid comes into contact with the absorbent 6 through the top sheet 7. Since the back sheet 5 of the diaper 1 is impermeable to water, the cover sheet 4 may be omitted and the back sheet 5 may form the exterior surface.

[0017] The absorbent body 6 has an absorbent core 6C and a core wrap sheet 6W that wraps the absorbent core 6C. In this embodiment, the absorbent core 6C is formed by laminating a plurality of absorbent mats. In this embodiment, the absorbent core 6C has an upper absorbent mat 6A arranged on the skin side and a lower absorbent mat 6B arranged on the non-skin side. The upper absorbent mat 6A is an absorbent mat that is located on the skin side of the wearer when worn, and has an hourglass shape with a narrowed part in the crotch region 1B when viewed from above. In contrast, the lower absorbent mat 6B is an absorbent mat that is located on the non-skin side of the wearer when worn, and has a rectangular shape when viewed from above. The lower absorbent mat 6B is arranged so that its center in the width direction of the absorbent body 6 roughly coincides with its center, and its overall width is the same as that of the upper absorbent mat 6A. That is, the lower absorbent mat 6B is layered on the upper absorbent mat 6A so that the lower absorbent mat 6B is entirely hidden by the upper absorbent mat 6A when viewed in plan from the skin-facing side.

[0018] The crotch region 1B is sandwiched between the wearer's legs, and thus compressive pressure is applied inward in the width direction. On the other hand, in the front body region 1F and the back body region 1R, the weight of the wearer is applied, and pressure is applied in the thickness direction of the absorbent core 6C. To deal with these pressures, the crotch region 1B of the absorbent core 6C is provided with a constriction. Furthermore, the upper layer absorbent mat 6A and the lower layer absorbent mat 6B are laminated to give the absorbent core 6C in the crotch region 1B a high basis weight. This prevents the absorbent core 6C from losing its shape inward in the width direction in the crotch region 1B. Also, in the front body region 1F and the back body region 1R, the width of the absorbent core 6C is widened to increase the area on which the weight is applied, thereby preventing the absorbent core 6C from losing its shape in the thickness direction. For this reason, it is preferable to make the absorbent core 6C approximately hourglass-shaped.

[0019] The absorbent core 6C has a structure in which granular absorbent resin such as SAP (Super Absorbent Polymer), a hydrophilic polymer with a cross-linked structure capable of absorbing and retaining water, is held in the gaps between short fibers (absorbent materials) of cellulosic fibers such as pulp fibers, rayon fibers, or cotton fibers, or between short fibers obtained by hydrophilizing synthetic fibers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyethylene terephthalate. Therefore, in the absorbent core 6C, the volumetric change of the absorbent resin before and after absorbing liquid basically occurs within the short fibers that hold the absorbent resin in the gaps. Therefore, when the absorbent core 6C is viewed as a whole, it can be said that the expansion rate of the thickness of the absorbent core 6C that absorbs liquid is not as large as the expansion rate of the absorbent resin itself.

[0020] The SAP particles of this embodiment refer to a resin composition containing SAP in a granular form. The term "SAP-containing resin composition" as used herein includes both a composition consisting of SAP alone and a composition containing SAP as the main component and containing other substances to the extent that they do not adversely affect the water absorption. Examples of "other substances" include additives (such as surface modifiers added to make the particle surface hydrophobic) and unreacted monomers remaining during the synthesis of SAP.

[0021] The upper absorbent mat 6A is provided with a pair of slits 6H on the left and right. The slits 6H extend obliquely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1 so that the front side faces outward in the width direction. The slits 6H penetrate the upper absorbent mat 6A in the thickness direction. The upper absorbent mat 6A is formed using a mold that does not allow absorbent materials such as short fibers to be laminated in the formation area of ​​the slits 6H, so that the slits 6H are also formed. In this embodiment, the slits 6H are of the through type, but they may be of the non-through type. The lower absorbent mat 6B may also be provided with a through type slit, and in this case, the slits provided in the upper absorbent mat 6A and the lower absorbent mat 6B may overlap each other in the thickness direction. Instead of the slits 6H, grooves may be provided by compressing the skin-facing side of the upper absorbent mat 6A. The diaper 1 according to this embodiment absorbs and retains urine discharged by the wearer with the absorbent body 6. In the diaper 1, urine can be dispersed along the slits 6H, and therefore the urine can be absorbed and retained by the entire upper absorbent mat 6A and the lower absorbent mat 6B.

[0022] The core wrap sheet 6W is a thin liquid-permeable sheet, and wrapping the absorbent core 6C with the core wrap sheet 6W makes it difficult for the SAP of the absorbent core 6C to be mixed with other structures. In addition, the absorbent core 6C is prevented from losing its shape. The core wrap sheet 6W can be made of pulp fiber, and tissue paper can be used as an example. The absorbent body 6 is wrapped in the back sheet 5 and the top sheet 7, and these sheets can also prevent the absorbent body 6 from losing its shape, so the core wrap sheet 6W may not be provided.

[0023] The diaper 1 also has long, narrow, strip-like side sheets 8L, 8R. The side sheets 8L, 8R are liquid-impermeable sheets provided on the long sides of the top sheet 7. The side sheets 8L, 8R are arranged on the outer side of the center in the width direction of the diaper 1. Like the cover sheet 4, the side sheets 8L, 8R have constrictions 8KL, 8KR at the areas where the wearer's thighs are located (leg surrounding parts 10L, 10R shown in FIG. 4). The side sheets 8L, 8R have elastic members 8EL, 8ER arranged in a stretched state along the longitudinal direction. The side sheets 8L, 8R are pulled in the longitudinal direction by the stretching force of the elastic members 8EL, 8ER and rise from the top sheet 7 to the skin-facing side. One or more elastic members 8EL, 8ER (three in this embodiment) are provided depending on the required elastic force.

[0024] The side sheets 8L, 8R have, on the skin-facing side of the top sheet 7, bonded regions 81L, 81R that are bonded to the top sheet 7 on the outer side in the width direction of the diaper 1, and non-bonded regions 82L, 82R that are not bonded to the top sheet 7 on the inner side in the width direction of the bonded regions 81L, 81R. The side sheets 8L, 8R are bonded to the top sheet 7 in the bonded regions 81L, 81R, and the side sheets 8L, 8R are bonded to the back sheet 5 disposed on the non-skin-facing side of the top sheet 7 on the outer side. The bonded regions 81L, 81R are formed by applying a hot melt adhesive to the top sheet 7 and the back sheet 5 disposed on the non-skin-facing side of the side sheets 8L, 8R, and then stacking the side sheets 8L, 8R thereon.

[0025] In non-bonded regions 82L, 82R located widthwise inside of the bonded regions 81L, 81R, the side sheets 8L, 8R are not bonded to the top sheet 7. Bonded refers to a state in which the bonded materials cannot be peeled apart without tearing or destroying the materials, such as the sheets, of the diaper 1. The sheets to be bonded may not only be different sheets, but also a single sheet may be folded over to bond an overlapping region.

[0026] At both longitudinal ends of the non-bonded regions 82L, 82R, there are provided fixing portions 90L, 90R, 91L, 91R that fix the side sheets 8L, 8R to the top sheet 7 with hot melt adhesive. The fixing portions 90L, 90R are provided in the back body region 1R, and the fixing portions 91L, 91R are provided in the front body region 1F. The fixing portions 90L, 90R, 91L, 91R are formed by hot melt adhesive applied in stripes between the side sheets 8L, 8R and the top sheet 7, and the non-bonded regions 82L, 82R of the side sheets 8L, 8R function as three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R.

[0027] In the side sheets 8L, 8R, non-bonded regions 82L, 82R between the front and rear fixing parts 90L, 90R, 91L, 91R rise from the top sheet 7 toward the skin side. More specifically, the side sheets 8L, 8R are boundaries between the bonded regions 81L, 81R and the non-bonded regions 82L, 82R, and the inner non-bonded regions 82L, 82R rise toward the skin side at the curved upright lines 84L, 84R. This forms a gap between the side sheets 8L, 8R and the top sheet 7.

[0028] In this embodiment, the side sheets 8L, 8R are provided on both the left and right sides of the diaper 1. Here, the side sheets 8L, 8R have free ends 82LA, 82RA arranged inside the non-bonded regions 82L, 82R, and the above-mentioned elastic members 8EL, 8ER arranged on the free ends 82LA, 82RA side. When an absorbent pad is inserted between the non-bonded regions 82L, 82R and the top sheet 7, it is preferable to raise the free ends 82LA, 82RA from the top sheet 7 to the skin side by the elastic force of the elastic members 8EL, 8ER. Since the side sheets 8L, 8R are non-permeable, the non-bonded regions 82L, 82R rise and come into contact with the skin side of the wearer, thereby eliminating any gap that may be formed between the diaper 1 and the skin side, and thus preventing excreta such as urine from leaking to the outside. In addition, the non-bonded regions 82L, 82R are easily raised from the top sheet 7 in the regions where the elastic force of the elastic members 8EL, 8ER is applied. The raised portions form three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R which are leak-proof walls that prevent excreted liquids and materials from leaking to the outside. The elastic members 8EL, 8ER exert their stretching force mainly in the crotch region 1B, so that the non-jointed regions 82L, 82R can function as leak-proof walls in the crotch region 1B where the top sheet 7 and absorbent pad are furthest from the wearer's skin.

[0029] In addition, the side sheets 8L, 8R are doubled by folding back one sheet at the inner end (free end 82LA, 82RA side) in the width direction. The elastic members 8EL, 8ER are sandwiched between the double sheets. In addition, non-adhesive regions 85L, 85R, 86L, ​​86R where the double sheets are not adhered to each other are provided on the end side of the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1 from the stretchable region where the elastic members 8EL, 8ER stretch. The non-adhesive regions 85L, 85R are provided in the rear body region 1R, and the non-adhesive regions 86L, ​​86R are provided in the front body region 1F. By providing the non-adhesive regions 85L, 85R, 86L, ​​86R on the extension line of the stretchable region of the elastic members 8EL, 8ER, the non-adhesive regions 82L, 82R in the stretchable region are easily raised to the skin-facing side, and the free end 82LA, 82RA side is easily pinched with fingers. This allows the user to expand the gap between the non-bonded regions 82L, 82R and the top sheet 7, and allows an absorbent pad (not shown) to be inserted between the non-bonded regions 82L, 82R and the top sheet 7. The side sheets 8L, 8R may be doubled by laminating two separate sheets.

[0030] The side sheets 8L, 8R are formed in the same shape as the cover sheet 4 and the back sheet 5 at their widthwise ends. At the widthwise center of the longitudinal ends of the diaper 1, the top sheet 7 is formed in the same shape as the cover sheet 4 and the back sheet 5. Therefore, the cover sheet 4, the back sheet 5, the side sheets 8L, 8R and a part of the top sheet 7 form the peripheral shape (outer shape) of the diaper 1. For example, the shapes of the cover sheet 4, the back sheet 5, the side sheets 8L, 8R and a part of the top sheet 7 form the shape of the widthwise ends of the crotch region 1B in the front body region 1F and the back body region 1R.

[0031] The diaper 1 also has a side sheet 8C disposed between the side sheets 8L, 8R and the top sheet 7. The side sheet 8C is a liquid-impermeable sheet provided on the rear body region 1R side of the top sheet 7. The side sheet 8C is folded back at a fold line along the width direction of the diaper 1 to form a double layer, with a gap formed between the front side and the top sheet 7 and the rear side joined to the top sheet 7. An elastic member 8EC is disposed between the double side sheets 8C in a stretched state along the width direction. Rubber thread is used for the elastic member 8EC. The front side of the side sheet 8C is pulled in the width direction by the stretching force of the elastic member 8EC and rises from the top sheet 7 to the skin-facing side.

[0032] The side sheet 8C has, on the skin-facing side of the top sheet 7, a bonded region 81C that is bonded to the top sheet 7 relatively outside when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1, and a non-bonded region 82C that is not bonded to the top sheet 7 and is located inside the bonded region 81C in the longitudinal direction of the diaper. The side sheet 8C is bonded to the top sheet 7 at the bonded region 81C. A hot melt adhesive is applied to the top sheet 7 that is disposed on the non-skin-facing side of the side sheet 8C, and the side sheet 8C is laminated thereon to form the bonded region 81C.

[0033] In a non-bonded region 82C that is located longitudinally inward of the bonded region 81C, the side sheet 8C is not bonded to the top sheet 7. By having the bonded region 81C and the non-bonded region 82C, the rear side of the absorbent pad can be inserted between the top sheet 7 and the side sheet 8C, and the absorbent pad can be fixed in place.

[0034] The cover sheet 4 is provided with an elastic member 4C in the longitudinal center of the diaper 1, which prevents the gap between the diaper 1 and the wearer's crotch from widening. The elastic member 4 The elastic members 4C are arranged in a curved shape extending outward in the width direction at both longitudinal end sides. An appropriate number of elastic members 4C (three in this embodiment) is provided depending on the elastic force (stretching force) required for the design of the diaper 1.

[0035] Moreover, the elastic members 4C do not extend inward in the width direction behind the longitudinal center of the diaper 1. The longitudinal center of the diaper 1 is a buttocks-corresponding region corresponding to the buttocks of the wearer, and the elastic members 4C extend to avoid the buttocks-corresponding region. When wrinkles are formed in the top sheet 7 in the buttocks-corresponding region of the diaper 1, the unevenness caused by the wrinkles comes into contact with the skin surface of the wearer, degrading the comfort of wearing the diaper 1. By extending the elastic members 4C to avoid the buttocks-corresponding region, the diaper 1 can prevent unnecessary wrinkles from being formed in the buttocks-corresponding region. This improves the comfort of wearing the diaper 1 and can save the trouble of smoothing out wrinkles in the buttocks-corresponding region when wearing the diaper 1. Furthermore, by preventing unnecessary wrinkles from being formed in the buttocks-corresponding region, the diaper 1 can prevent bedsores caused by wrinkles coming into contact with the skin surface.

[0036] In addition, the diaper 1 has elastic members 4SL, 4SR for forming the leg gathers 3AL, 3AR between the cover sheet 4 and the back sheet 5 so as to stretch in the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1. The elastic members 4SL, 4SR are provided in an appropriate number (three in this embodiment) determined according to the elastic force (stretching force) required in the design of the diaper 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the leg gathers 3AL, 3AR are arranged at both ends in the width direction of the crotch region 1B, including the leg surrounding portions 10L, 10R which are portions along the circumference of the legs of the wearer. The leg surrounding portions 10L, 10R are arranged at both ends in the width direction of the crotch region 1B. The elastic members 4SL, 4SR are bonded to the leg surrounding portions 10L, 10R in a stretched state so as to extend in the longitudinal direction, causing the leg surrounding portions 10L, 10R to stretch in the longitudinal direction. The stretchable regions of the elastic members 4SL, 4SR become the leg gathers 3AL, 3AR.

[0037] The elastic member 9ER for forming the waist gather 3W is provided between the double side sheets 8C at a position further back than the end of the absorbent body 6. The elastic member 9ER is provided with its longitudinal direction, which is the stretch direction, oriented in the left-right direction of the diaper 1. When the tapes 2L1, 2L2, 2R1, 2R2 provided on both the left and right sides of the elastic member 9ER are engaged with the front patch 2F on the wearer's abdominal side, the elastic member 9ER exerts a stretching force to bring the diaper 1 into close contact with the wearer and prevent the formation of a gap between the diaper 1 and the wearer's abdominal circumference. The elastic member 9ER may be provided between the top sheet 7 and the back sheet 5.

[0038] The diaper 1 includes a front patch 2F, which is disposed on the non-skin-facing side of the exterior surface of the front body region 1F (cover sheet 4 in this embodiment) and has a loop portion formed on the surface of a base material such as a smooth plastic film made of resin. The front patch 2F is substantially rectangular in shape with its elongated shape extending in the width direction of the diaper 1. The exterior surface of the front body region 1F may be formed by a back sheet 5.

[0039] A pair of tapes 2L1, 2L2, 2R1, 2R2 are arranged in the width direction at the outer end of the rear body region 1R, and extend outward in the width direction of the diaper 1. The tapes 2L1, 2L2 and the tapes 2R1, 2R2 arranged on both sides in the width direction of the diaper 1 and adjacent in the longitudinal direction are in contact with each other.

[0040] The tapes 2L1, 2L2, 2R1, and 2R2 are formed by laminating multiple sheets of nonwoven fabric and bonding hook portions 11 to the skin-facing sides on the outer widthwise sides of the diaper 1. The hook portions 11 can be repeatedly engaged by engaging with the loop portions of the front patch 2F provided on the front body region 1F. By engaging with the front patch 2F provided on the front body region 1F, the diaper 1 can be fixed to the wearer's body in a state where it surrounds the wearer's waist and thighs. It is.

[0041] At the end of the width direction outer side of the rear body region 1R, the cover sheet 4, the back sheet 5, and the side sheets 8L and 8R are laminated in the thickness direction from the non-skin-facing side. In this embodiment, the tapes 2L1, 2L2, 2R1, and 2R2 are sandwiched and arranged between the back sheet 5 and the side sheets 8L and 8R, and are bonded to the laminated sheets by hot melt adhesive. The tapes 2L1, 2L2, 2R1, and 2R2 may be arranged anywhere between the sheets forming the end of the width direction outer side of the rear body region 1R. Also, the side sheets 8L and 8R may not be arranged at the end of the width direction outer side of the rear body region 1R. In this case, the tapes 2L1, 2L2, 2R1, and 2R2 are arranged on the skin-facing side of the cover sheet 4 or the back sheet 5. Also, the top sheet 7 or the side sheet 8C may be laminated on the skin-facing side of the tapes 2L1, 2L2, 2R1, and 2R2.

[0042] In the diaper 1 according to the present embodiment, the distance between the hook portions 11 arranged on the tapes 2L1, 2L2 and the tapes 2R1, 2R2 arranged on both sides of the width direction of the diaper 1 and adjacent in the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1 is longer than the longitudinal length of the front patch 2F. In this case, if the tapes 2L1, 2L2, 2R1, 2R2 are engaged with the front patch 2F parallel to the width direction of the diaper 1, the hook portions 11 will protrude from the front patch 2F. Therefore, the wearer engages the front patch 2F so that the tapes adjacent in the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1 cross each other. Therefore, even if a person who does not know how to engage the tapes puts on the diaper 1, the tape 2L1 can be engaged with the front patch 2F by unconsciously crossing the direction of pulling the tape 2L1 and the direction of pulling the tape 2L2. Therefore, the wearer can be encouraged to put on the diaper 1 in such a way that the diaper 1 is appropriately engaged to fit the shape of the wearer's waist, such as by cross-attaching the tapes in a cross-like manner. Therefore, even if a user does not understand the proper way to put on the diaper, the tapes 2L1, 2L2, 2R1, and 2R2 can be engaged with the front patch 2F in a state in which the diaper 1 fits the shape of the wearer's waist, thereby improving wearability.

[0043] 5 is an enlarged view of tapes 2R1 and 2R2 according to this embodiment. Since tapes 2R1 and 2R2 and tapes 2L1 and 2L2 have the same configuration, the following description focuses on tapes 2R1 and 2R2.

[0044] The diaper 1 includes a protrusion-forming region 12, which is provided on the skin-facing side of the region where the tapes 2R1 and 2R2 are arranged, and has a plurality of protrusions formed on the skin-facing side. The protrusion-forming region 12 is provided on the skin-facing side of the region where the tapes 2R1 and 2R2 are arranged on the widthwise outer side of the diaper 1. In this embodiment, the protrusion-forming region 12 is provided on the skin-facing side of the side sheet 8R arranged on the skin-facing side of the region where the tapes 2R1 and 2R2 are arranged, since the side sheet 8R extends to the widthwise outer end of the diaper 1. The protrusion-forming region 12 does not have to be formed on the skin-facing side of the side sheet 8R. For example, the protrusion-forming region 12 may be provided on the skin-facing side of the tapes 2R1 and 2R2 bonded to the widthwise outer end of the diaper 1, or on the skin-facing side of another sheet extended to the widthwise outer end of the diaper 1.

[0045] The convex portion may be formed so that the side sheet 8R is convex on the skin side, or may be formed to be convex on the skin side including the side sheet 8R and the tapes 2R1, 2R2. The convex portion has a square apex on the skin side. The apex of the convex portion is not limited to a square shape. For example, it may be a circle, an ellipse, a triangle, etc.

[0046] When the diaper 1 is worn, the convex portions of the tapes 2R1 and 2R2 provided on the inner side in the width direction of the diaper 1 are weakly engaged with the loop portions provided on the front patch 2F by the covering pressure of the wearer. The weak engagement is an engagement in which the engaging force is weak and the engagement can be easily released. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the misalignment of the hook portion 11 and the front patch 2F, suppress the disengagement of the hook portion 11 and the front patch 2F, and improve the wearing comfort. Note that the convex portion may be provided on the entire surface of the skin-facing area of ​​the area where the tapes 2R1 and 2R2 are arranged.

[0047] The convex portion forming regions 12 of the tapes 2R1, 2R2 adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1 are not in contact with each other. By disposing a member with low rigidity between the convex portion forming regions 12 of the tapes adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction, it is easy to cross-engage the tapes.

[0048] Of the tapes adjacent in the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1, the convex portion forming region 12 of the tape 2R2 arranged on the crotch region 1B side preferably has a shape that is inclined toward the rear in the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1 toward the outer side in the width direction of the diaper 1. With such a shape, when the diaper 1 is worn, the region in which the highly rigid convex portions are formed is not located in the region that covers the wearer's legs with the hook portion 11 as the base point, and therefore does not impede the movement of the wearer's legs.

[0049] The non-skin-facing side of the front end of the convex portion forming region 12 provided in the region where the tape 2R2 arranged on the crotch region 1B side of the tapes adjacent in the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1 extends becomes a folding portion 19 (an example of the "folding portion" in the present application) which is a base point for folding the diaper 1. The folding portion 19 folds the diaper 1 to suppress the inhibition of the movement of the wearer's legs. In addition, the front extension portion 18 extends forward of the diaper 1 from the folding portion 19. The front extension portion 18 absorbs the movement of the wearer's legs and suppresses the transmission of the movement of the wearer's legs to the rear side of the folding portion 19. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the hook portion 11 from being displaced and peeled off from the front patch 2F due to the movement of the wearer's legs. The folding portion 19 may be provided at the front end of the convex portion forming region 12 provided in the region where the tape 2R1 arranged on the rear side of the tapes adjacent in the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1 extends. The front extension 18 may be provided in front of the protrusion forming region 12 provided in the region where the tape 2R1, which is located on the rear side of the tapes adjacent in the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1, extends.

[0050] Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of the tape 2R1 according to this embodiment. Fig. 6(A) is a view of the tape 2R1 unfolded. The tape 2R1 has the same structure as the tapes 2L1, 2L2, and 2R2, so the following description focuses on the tape 2R1. The tape 2R1 is bonded to the back sheet 5 and the side sheet 8R, and extends outward in the width direction of the diaper 1.

[0051] The tape 2R1 has a stretchable portion 13 that is stretchable in the width direction of the diaper 1 and is provided between the area where the tape 2R1 is bonded to the diaper 1 and the hook portion 11. FIG. 6(A2) is a view of the stretchable portion 13 as viewed in the width direction of the tape 2R1 (the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1). The stretchable portion 13 is formed by a plurality of elastic members 13R extending in the width direction of the diaper 1 and a stretchable portion-forming sheet 13S formed by sandwiching the elastic members 13R. In this embodiment, the elastic members 13R are made of rubber thread. The stretchable portion-forming sheet 13S is a nonwoven fabric used in the tape 2R1. The tape 2R1 is formed by laminating a plurality of nonwoven fabrics and bonding the hook portion 11 to the skin-facing side on the outer side in the width direction of the diaper 1. Therefore, the stretchable portion-forming sheet 13S is also formed by a plurality of nonwoven fabrics. The stretchable portion 13 is formed by sandwiching the elastic members 13R between a plurality of nonwoven fabrics that form the stretchable portion-forming sheet 13S. The nonwoven fabric on the skin side of the elastic member 13R is then folded multiple times so as to be convex towards the skin side, and the nonwoven fabric on the non-skin side of the elastic member 13R is folded multiple times so as to be convex towards the non-skin side. The elastic member 13R is adhered to the portion that contacts the folded stretchable portion-forming sheet 13S. When the tape 2R1 is pulled outward in the width direction of the diaper 1, the elastic member 13R and the stretchable portion-forming sheet 13S stretch, and the tape 2R1 contracts. When the stretchable portion 13 is in a stretched state, the stretchable portion-forming sheet 13S becomes flat. The contraction of the tape 2R1 allows the diaper to be worn even by a wearer with a long abdominal circumference. The elastic member 13R is designed to have a certain elasticity (stretching force) required for the design of the diaper 1, etc. The number of sheets is determined appropriately depending on the application. Note that the stretchable portion forming sheet 13S may be a sheet different from the sheet used for the tape 2R1.

[0052] By providing the stretchable portion 13, the hook portion 11 can be engaged with the front patch 2F in a more free state due to the contraction of the stretchable portion 13. Therefore, there is a risk that the hook portion cannot be engaged with the front patch in an appropriate engagement state. If the hook portion is not engaged in an appropriate engagement state, the diaper or tape may move due to the wearer's movement, and the engagement between the hook portion and the front patch may be released. On the other hand, in the diaper 1 according to this embodiment, the convex portion provided on the tape 2R1 and the front patch 2F are weakly engaged, so that the shift between the tape 2R1 and the front patch 2F caused by the wearer's movement is suppressed as much as possible, and the tape 2R1 and the front patch 2F can be maintained in an engaged state.

[0053] The convex portion forming region 12 where the convex portion is formed is provided on the inner side in the width direction of the diaper 1 than the stretchable portion 13. The convex portion is formed by the tape 2R1 arranged on the non-skin-facing side of the hook portion 11. FIG. 6(B) is a diagram showing the state in which the hook portion 11 arranged on the tape 2R1 is folded. FIG. 6(C) is a diagram showing the tape 2R1 in the distributed state of the diaper 1. When the diaper 1 is put on, the tape 2R1 is in the form shown in FIG. 6(A) when unfolded. In the distributed state of the diaper 1, the diaper 1 is folded and compressed along the folding line 14 extending in the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1 so that the hook portion 11 is on the inner side, as shown in FIG. 6(B). Then, the diaper 1 is folded and compressed along the folding line 15 so that the region where the hook portion 11 is arranged is on the inner side, as shown in FIG. 6(C). By folding the hook portion 11 inward, it is possible to prevent the hook portion 11 from being exposed to the outside and being attached to other products. Also, by folding the area where the hook portion 11 is arranged inward, it is possible to prevent the hook portion 11 from turning over and being exposed to the outside and being attached to other products.

[0054] The tape 2R1 is bonded to the back sheet 5 and the side sheet 8R, which are laminated, on the inner side in the width direction of the diaper 1 (the diaper 1 side in the longitudinal direction of the tape 2R1) with a hot melt adhesive. Before the hot melt adhesive is fixed, the tape 2R1 is folded so that the hook portion 11 faces inward as shown in FIG. 6(C) and compressed. The area folded so that the hook portion 11 faces inward has a height equal to the thickness of the hook portion 11. Therefore, the area where the hook portion 11 is folded is subjected to a stronger compression force than the area where the hook portion 11 is not folded. The area subjected to the stronger compression force is compressed by the adhesion of the hot melt adhesive that bonds the laminated sheets together. Therefore, in the diaper 1, the area where the tape 2R1 is arranged and the area where the hook portion 11 is folded is compressed and hardened.

[0055] As shown in Fig. 6(B), the tape 2R1 has an uneven portion 16 on the non-skin-facing side of the outer end in the width direction of the diaper 1. The uneven portion 16 is formed by convex portions 16A that are bulkier than the surrounding area and formed in a lattice pattern, and concave portions 16B that are surrounded by the convex portions 16A and are smaller than the surrounding area. For the sake of explanation, Fig. 6 shows the convex portions 16A and the concave portions 16B enlarged, and the actual convex portions 16A are in a finer lattice pattern and the concave portions 16B are smaller.

[0056] The recesses 16B are formed by embossing into rectangular shapes spaced apart from each other. Forming the recesses 16B by embossing can prevent the tape 2R1 from stretching or tearing. Also, because the recesses 16B are formed by embossing, the recesses 16B are less bulky than the surrounding areas. Therefore, between adjacent recesses 16B, there are lattice-shaped protrusions 16A that are bulkier than the recesses 16B. Therefore, the non-skin side of the tape 2R1 is provided with protruding protrusions 16A on the non-skin side formed in a lattice pattern as shown in FIG. 6(B), and the area surrounded by the protrusions 16A has concave recesses 16B on the non-skin side. The recesses 16B are For example, the shape may be a circle, an ellipse, a triangle, or the like.

[0057] In the state of FIG. 6(B), the hook portion 11 is folded toward the skin-facing side of the tape 2R1. Therefore, the area where the hook portion 11 is folded has a height corresponding to the thickness of the hook portion 11. In this state, when the hook portion 11 is folded along the folding line 15 and compressed as shown in FIG. 6(C), the area where the hook portion 11 is folded is compressed strongly by the thickness of the hook portion 11. Here, since the hook portion 11 has a convex portion 16A that is bulkier than the surrounding area on the non-skin-facing side, the area where the hook portion 11 is folded is compressed in a lattice shape by the convex portion 16A. At this time, the part corresponding to the concave portion 16B is not compressed by the convex portion 16A, so a convex convex portion is formed on the skin-facing side. The area where the hook portion 11 is folded is the area where the tape 2R1 is arranged on the outer side of the width of the diaper 1. Therefore, in the diaper 1, a convex portion forming area 12 where a plurality of convex portions are formed is formed in the area where the tape 2R1 is arranged.

[0058] The protrusion forming region 12 has high rigidity because a strong compressive force is applied to the region where the hook portion 11 is folded, the force being equal to the thickness of the hook portion 11. Therefore, when the hook portion 11 provided on the tape 2R1 and the front patch 2F are engaged, the protrusion forming region 12 is not easily bent. Therefore, the protrusion comes into contact with the front patch 2F without bending, making it easy to achieve weak engagement.

[0059] When the diaper 1 is used, the fold formed along the fold line 15 is unfolded so that the non-skin-facing side of the hook portion 11 faces the skin, as shown in Fig. 6(B).Then, the fold formed along the fold line 14 is unfolded to unfold the hook portion 11 as shown in Fig. 6(A), and then the diaper 1 is put on.

[0060] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which the tapes 2L1, 2L2, 2R1, and 2R2 are engaged with the front patch 2F.

[0061] Usually, when the diaper is worn, the tape is located on the wearer's legs. Therefore, the wearer's legs may come into contact with the highly rigid tape, which may hinder the wearer's movement and reduce comfort. In addition, the movement of the wearer's legs may be transmitted to the tape, causing the tape to shift from the engagement position or the hook portion to disengage from the front patch, which may cause the diaper to slip off the wearer and reduce comfort.

[0062] On the other hand, the diaper 1 according to the present embodiment includes a folding portion 19. The diaper 1 is folded along the folding portion 19 and fixed along the wearer's legs, suppressing the inhibition of the wearer's leg movement and improving the wearing comfort. In addition, by providing the front extension portion 18, the front extension portion 18 follows the wearer's leg movement and turns over toward the non-skin side. The front extension portion 18 follows the wearer's leg movement and turns over, suppressing the transmission of the wearer's leg movement to the rear side beyond the folding portion 19, thereby suppressing the load due to the wearer's movement from being directly transmitted to the hook portion 11. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the hook portion 11 from shifting and peeling off from the front patch 2F due to the wearer's leg movement, improving the wearing comfort.

[0063] The bent portions 19 are disposed on the front side of an area on the widthwise inner side of the diaper 1 than the hook portions 11 provided on the tapes 2L2, 2R2, and extend obliquely from the front side to the rear side in the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1 with respect to the rear side in the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1. When worn, the diaper 1 bends along the bent portions 19 to fit the diaper 1 around the legs of the wearer.

[0064] The folding portion 19 may be a rigidity change portion where the rigidity changes with the folding portion 19 as a boundary, or may be a folding line that serves as a base point for folding. The folding portion 19 is provided on the exterior surface of the diaper 1 (the cover sheet 4 in this embodiment) and the tapes 2L2 and 2R2. The folding line is a folding line. Any point may be used as the base point of bending, and may be a groove-shaped concave groove formed on the skin-facing side, or may be a convex groove formed on the skin-facing side. The fold line may be formed on either the exterior surface of the diaper 1 or the tapes 2L2, 2R2.

[0065] The bent portion 19 is preferably a portion of varying rigidity. If the rigidity of the diaper on the longitudinal rear side of the bent portion is lower than that of the bent portion, the diaper will bend along the bent portion and the area on the rear side of the bent portion will turn up, and a force will be applied to the hook portion to peel it off from the front patch, which may result in the hook portion peeling off from the front patch. Therefore, it is preferable that the rigidity of the area on the rear side of the bent portion 19 is higher.

[0066] In this embodiment, the bent portion 19 is formed along the non-skin-facing side of the end of the protrusion-forming region 12 on the crotch region 1B side, and is a rigidity-changing portion in which the rigidity changes between the protrusion-forming region 12 and the crotch region 1B side. The protrusion-forming region 12 has high rigidity because a strong compressive force is applied in the thickness direction. Therefore, even when the diaper 1 is bent by the bent portion 19, the protrusion-forming region 12 side fits the wearer without being turned up. This prevents the hook portion 11 from peeling off from the front patch 2F.

[0067] Furthermore, the front extension portion 18 extends forward of the hook portions 11 provided on the tapes 2L2, 2R2 on the inner side in the width direction of the diaper 1 than the hook portions 11. The front extension portion 18 does not contribute to fastening the diaper 1 to the wearer, but follows the movement of the wearer's legs and turns over toward the non-skin facing side when the diaper 1 is worn. The front extension portion 18 follows the movement of the wearer's legs and turns over, thereby suppressing the transmission of the movement of the wearer's legs rearward beyond the bent portion 19.

[0068] The folded portion 19 and the front extending portion 18 may be provided on the inner side in the width direction of the diaper 1 than the hook portion 11 provided on the tapes 2L1, 2R1. The convex portion forming regions 12 of the tapes adjacent in the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1 according to this embodiment are spaced apart from each other. The convex portion forming region 12 provided on the rear side of the folded portion 19 in the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1 is compressed by a stronger compressive force than the surroundings when the convex portion is formed, and has high rigidity, but the front extending portion 18 provided between the convex portion forming regions 12 has low rigidity. The tapes adjacent in the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1 are in contact with each other, so that they interfere with each other when they are engaged in a cross-like manner or in a crossing direction. Therefore, by reducing the rigidity of the front extending portion 18 that is in contact with the other tape, it becomes easier to deform the region where the tapes adjacent in the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1 interfere with each other as shown in FIG. 7, and it becomes easier to form and maintain an engaged state in which the tapes are engaged in a cross-like manner or in a crossing direction.

[0069] <Other embodiments> In this embodiment, one front patch 2F is disposed in the widthwise center of the diaper 1, but a plurality of front patches 2F may be disposed in pairs in the widthwise direction of the diaper 1.

[0070] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the contents of the present invention are not limited to the above embodiment. The above disclosed embodiments and their modifications can be combined with each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1. Diapers 1B...Inseam area 1F: Front body area 1R: Back body area 2F: Front patch 2L1, 2L2, 2R1, 2R2... Tape 3AL, 3AR Leg Gathers 3L, 3R: 3D gathers 3W: Gathered waist 4. Cover sheet 4KL, 4KR... Constriction 4C, 4SL, 4SR, 8EL, 8ER, 8EC, 9ER, 13R Elastic material 5. Back sheet 6. Absorber 6C··Absorbent core 6A··Upper layer absorbent mat 6B··Lower layer absorbent mat 6W··Core wrap sheet 6H··Slit 7. Top sheet 8L, 8R, 8C··Side seats 81L, 81R, 81C...Join area 82L, 82R, 82C...Non-bonded area 82LA,82RA·Free end 84L, 84R · Standing line 85L,85R,86L,86R...Non-adhesive area 90L,90R,91L,91R・Fixed part 10L, 10R: Leg area 11 Hook section 12. Convex portion forming area 13...Extendable part 13S··Stretchable section forming sheet 14,15··Bending lines 16...Uneven part 16A··Convex part 16B Recess 18...Anterior extension part 19. Folding section

Claims

1. A length along a longitudinal direction corresponding to the front-rear direction of the wearer, and a length along a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, In the front-to-rear direction, a front body region located in front of the wearer, a rear body region located behind the wearer, and a crotch region located between the front body region and the rear body region; A pair of tapes extending outward in the width direction in the rear body region and having hook portions disposed on the skin side of the wearer; an engaged portion provided on an exterior surface of the front body region and capable of repeatedly engaging with the hook portion; a folded portion disposed on a front side of the inner region of the tape in the width direction and extending obliquely from the front side to the rear side in the longitudinal direction with respect to the rear side in the longitudinal direction, Absorbent articles.

2. The bent portion is a groove-shaped groove provided on the exterior surface or the tape. The absorbent article of claim 1.

3. The bent portion is a groove-shaped groove provided on the exterior surface and the tape. The absorbent article of claim 1.

4. The bent portion is a rigidity changing portion provided on the exterior surface or the tape, the rigidity of which changes. The absorbent article of claim 1.

5. The bent portion is a rigidity changing portion provided on the exterior surface and the tape, the rigidity of which changes. The absorbent article of claim 1.

6. The tape extends forward of the hook portion on the inner side in the width direction.

6. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A plurality of convex portions are provided on the skin side of the area where the tape is arranged, and are convex on the skin side.

6. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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