Absorbent article

Abstract

To provide an absorbent article in which a cotton layer disposed on the side closest to the skin around the waist allows the pleasant texture of cotton to be experienced while suppressing fluffing.SOLUTION: An absorbent article (1) comprises an absorbent body (10), a front waist section (20), and a back waist section (30). At least one of the front waist section (20) and the back waist section (30) has, on the side thereof closest to the skin, a sheet section (25) comprising a cotton layer (25a). At least a portion of the sheet section is positioned above the absorbent body (10) in the vertical direction. The absorbent article further comprises: a joining section (50x) at which an upper-side arrangement region (25UP) belonging to the sheet section (25) and an adjacent sheet member adjacent to the upper-side arrangement region (25UP) on the non-skin side in the thickness direction are joined to each other by welding or adhesion; and a non-joining section (50z) in which the upper-side arrangement region (25UP) and the adjacent sheet member are not joined to each other by welding or adhesion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to absorbent articles.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, absorbent articles such as disposable diapers having a sheet for absorbing moisture such as sweat on the skin contact surface side of the waist portion have been known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a disposable diaper in which a hydrophilic sheet having an inner hydrophilic sheet and an outer hydrophilic sheet is disposed on a waist flap (waist portion).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the disposable diaper described in Patent Document 1, after the sweat of the wearer is transferred to the inner hydrophilic sheet, it is quickly transferred to the outer hydrophilic sheet to promote the diffusion of sweat and prevent skin troubles such as eczema and chafing. However, the waist portion of absorbent articles such as disposable diapers is a part that originally moves a lot and is likely to rub between the product and the skin of the wearer, which may cause irritation to the skin. Therefore, it is desired to arrange cotton on a part of the skin contact surface that contacts the skin in the waist portion of the absorbent article to suppress not only the absorption of sweat but also the irritation to the skin. However, when cotton is arranged on the skin contact surface side of the waist portion, fuzzing and the like occur due to rubbing, so a design that can obtain the advantage of providing cotton on the skin contact surface side while suppressing such fuzzing is required.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an absorbent article that can suppress fuzzing and provide a comfortable cotton feel on the skin when a cotton layer is disposed on the outermost skin side around the body. **Means for Solving the Problems**

[0006] The main invention for achieving the above object is an absorbent article having a vertical direction and a thickness direction that intersect each other, an absorbent main body, a ventral body circumferential portion located on the ventral side of the wearer, and a dorsal body circumferential portion located on the dorsal side of the wearer, wherein at least one of the ventral body circumferential portion and the dorsal body circumferential portion includes a cotton layer based on cotton fibers on the outermost skin side, and a sheet portion is provided at least partially above the absorbent main body in the vertical direction. When a region disposed above the absorbent main body in the vertical direction in the sheet portion is defined as an upper disposed region, the upper disposed region, a joint portion where the upper disposed region and an adjacent sheet member adjacent to the non-skin side in the thickness direction in the upper disposed region are joined by welding or adhesion, and a non-joint portion where the upper disposed region and the adjacent sheet member are not joined by welding or adhesion. Other features of the present invention will be clarified by the description in this specification and the accompanying drawings. **Effects of the Invention**

[0007] According to the present invention, when a cotton layer is disposed on the outermost skin side around the body, it is possible to provide an absorbent article that can suppress fuzzing and provide a comfortable cotton feel on the skin. **Brief Description of the Drawings**

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7A

Figure 7B

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] From the description in this specification and the accompanying drawings, at least the following matters become clear. Aspect 1 is an absorbent article having a vertical direction and a thickness direction that intersect each other, an absorbent body, a ventral body circumferential portion located on the ventral side of the wearer, and a dorsal body circumferential portion located on the dorsal side of the wearer, wherein at least one of the ventral body circumferential portion and the dorsal body circumferential portion includes a cotton layer based on cotton fibers on the outermost skin side, and a sheet portion is provided at least partially above the absorbent body in the vertical direction. When a region of the sheet portion disposed above the absorbent body in the vertical direction is defined as an upper disposed region, the upper disposed region and an adjacent sheet member adjacent to the upper disposed region from the non-skin side in the thickness direction are joined by welding or adhesion, and the upper disposed region and the adjacent sheet member have a non-joined portion that is not joined by welding or adhesion. The absorbent article is characterized by this.

[0010] According to Aspect 1, the non-joined portion of the sheet portion in contact with the skin is a portion that is easily deformed freely. When movement occurs in the body circumferential portion, the non-joined portion follows such movement to reduce friction with the skin, thereby suppressing the fluffing of cotton fibers. At the same time, by having a joined portion, the shedding of cotton fibers can also be suppressed. Furthermore, by continuously contacting the skin with the cotton layer while reducing friction with the skin, the softness of cotton can be felt while suppressing irritation to the skin.

[0011] Aspect 2 is the absorbent article according to Aspect 1, wherein in the unfolded state and the extended state, the total area of the non-joined portions when the upper disposed region is viewed in plan is larger than the total area of the joined portions.

[0012] According to Aspect 2, since the total area of the non-joined portions is larger, there are more portions that can follow the movement more easily when movement occurs in the body circumference, thereby reducing friction with the skin and suppressing the fluffing of the cotton layer.

[0013] Aspect 3 is the absorbent article according to Aspect 1 or 2, wherein in the vertical direction, the total length of the joined portions is longer than the total length of the non-joined portions.

[0014] According to Aspect 3, providing many non-bonded portions can suppress the fuzzing of the cotton layer. On the other hand, there is a risk that the bond between the sheet portion and the adjacent sheet member may peel off. By making the total length of the bonded portions in the vertical direction longer than the total length of the non-bonded portions, the peeling of the bond can be made difficult.

[0015] Aspect 4 is the absorbent article according to any one of Aspects 1 to 3, wherein the sheet portion has a non-skin side layer located on the non-skin side in the thickness direction of the cotton layer, and the average fiber length of the non-skin side fibers, which are the base fibers of the non-skin side layer, is longer than the average fiber length of the cotton fibers.

[0016] According to Aspect 4, since the cotton fibers are joined to fibers having a long average fiber length, the durability of the cotton layer is improved and the cotton fibers are less likely to fall off. Also, in the bond between the sheet portion and the adjacent sheet member, since the average fiber length of the non-skin side fibers located on the non-skin side in the sheet portion is long, the bond is less likely to peel off, and the followability with respect to the adjacent sheet member is improved.

[0017] Aspect 5 is the absorbent article according to any one of Aspects 1 to 4, wherein the sheet portion has a non-skin side layer located on the non-skin side in the thickness direction of the cotton layer, and the thermal conductivity of the cotton fibers is lower than the thermal conductivity of the non-skin side fibers, which are the base fibers of the non-skin side layer.

[0018] According to Aspect 5, since the thermal conductivity of the cotton fibers in contact with the wearer's skin is low, even if the cotton layer gets wet with sweat or the like during wearing, the cotton layer is not likely to become cold immediately. Also, since the non-skin side fibers in the non-skin side layer have a higher thermal conductivity than the cotton fibers, heat exchange is likely to be promoted. Therefore, the heat that has moved to the non-skin side layer is released further to the non-skin side than the non-skin side layer, and it is difficult for heat to accumulate in the sheet portion.

[0019] Aspect 6 is the absorbent article according to any one of Aspects 1 to 5, wherein the sheet portion has a non-skin side layer located on the non-skin side in the thickness direction of the cotton layer, and the hydrophilicity of the cotton fibers, which are the base fibers of the cotton layer, is higher than the hydrophilicity of the non-skin side fibers, which are the base fibers of the non-skin side layer.

[0020] According to Aspect 6, by disposing a cotton layer having cotton fibers with high hydrophilicity as the base fibers on the surface in contact with the wearer's skin, the water absorption is improved. Since the hydrophilicity of the non-skin side fibers, which are the base fibers of the non-skin side layer, is lower than that of the cotton fibers, when the moisture such as sweat absorbed by the cotton fibers moves to the non-skin side, the non-skin side layer does not retain excessive moisture and promotes transpiration, making it less stuffy.

[0021] Aspect 7 is the absorbent article according to any one of Aspects 1 to 6, wherein the ratio of the cotton fibers in the sheet portion is less than 50% by mass.

[0022] According to Aspect 7, by including cotton fibers, a good touch can be felt, and at the same time, by lowering the mass ratio of the cotton fibers, the fluffing of the cotton layer is suppressed.

[0023] Aspect 8 is the absorbent article according to any one of Aspects 1 to 7, wherein the cotton layer has a predetermined basis weight portion provided with the cotton fibers of a predetermined basis weight and a low basis weight portion having a lower basis weight of the cotton fibers than the predetermined basis weight portion.

[0024] According to Aspect 8, by having a low basis weight portion with a low basis weight, the shedding of cotton fibers with a short average fiber length can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to achieve both a comfortable touch by the cotton fibers provided in the predetermined basis weight portion and the suppression of the shedding of the cotton fibers.

[0025] Aspect 9 has a left - right direction orthogonal to the vertical direction and the thickness direction, and at least one of the ventral body - surrounding portion and the dorsal body - surrounding portion has an inner layer sheet, an outer layer sheet disposed on the non - skin side rather than the inner layer sheet, and a plurality of body - surrounding elastic members disposed at intervals in the vertical direction between the inner layer sheet and the outer layer sheet and stretchable in the left - right direction. In the cotton layer, a plurality of low - basis - weight portions are provided at intervals in the vertical direction, and the minimum value of the center - to - center distance in the vertical direction between the vertically adjacent low - basis - weight portions is smaller than the minimum value of the center - to - center distance in the vertical direction between the vertically adjacent body - surrounding elastic members. The absorbent article is as described in aspect 8.

[0026] According to aspect 9, by providing a plurality of low - basis - weight portions at small intervals in the vertical direction, the shedding of cotton fibers with a short average fiber length can be further suppressed, and the irritation to the skin caused by fiber shedding can be further suppressed.

[0027] Aspect 10 is the absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 9, wherein the sheet portion is a sheet member disposed on the skin side rather than the inner layer sheet.

[0028] According to aspect 10, since the body - surrounding elastic member is disposed between the inner layer sheet and the outer layer sheet, there will be a region where interference occurs between the body - surrounding elastic member and the sheet portion (sheet member) including the cotton layer. Thereby, it is possible to avoid excessive stretching and contraction of the cotton layer on the skin surface side, reduce the friction between the cotton layer and the skin, and suppress the shedding and fuzzing of cotton fibers.

[0029] Aspect 11 is such that the sheet portion is disposed at a distance downward from at least one of the upper ends in the vertical direction of the ventral torso portion and the dorsal torso portion. When the region from the upper end of the ventral torso portion or the dorsal torso portion where the sheet portion is provided to the upper end of the sheet portion in the vertical direction is defined as a non-disposed region, and the region from the upper end to the lower end of the sheet portion of the ventral torso portion or the dorsal torso portion where the sheet portion is provided in the vertical direction is defined as a disposed region, the portion closest to the skin surface side in the non-disposed region contains hydrophobic fibers, and the magnitude of the force required to extend the non-disposed region with a unit width in the vertical direction by a unit length in the left-right direction is greater than the magnitude of the force required to extend the disposed region with a unit width in the vertical direction by a unit length in the left-right direction. The absorbent article according to any one of Aspects 1 to 10.

[0030] According to Aspect 11, the portion closest to the skin surface side of the non-disposed region with strong tightening contains hydrophobic fibers, which reduces stickiness and decreases the discomfort given to the wearer's body. The disposed region of the sheet portion where fluffing is likely to occur when the tightening becomes strong reduces the frictional force with the skin by weakening the tightening force, and suppresses the fluffing of cotton fibers.

[0031] Aspect 12 is an absorbent article according to any one of Aspects 1 to 11, wherein in the vertical direction, the length of the sheet portion is half or less of the length of the ventral torso portion or the dorsal torso portion.

[0032] According to Aspect 12, the cotton layer of the sheet portion reduces the friction with the skin and suppresses fluffing by controlling the length of the cotton layer. Therefore, the good feeling of the touch of the cotton layer can be experienced, the irritation to the skin can be reduced, and fluffing can be prevented.

[0033] Aspect 13 is the absorbent article according to any one of Aspects 1 to 12, wherein at least one of the ventral body circumference portion and the dorsal body circumference portion has an inner layer sheet, an outer layer sheet disposed on the non-skin side of the inner layer sheet, and a folded portion where the upper end in the vertical direction of the outer layer sheet is folded back to the skin side, and in the vertical direction, the length of the sheet portion is longer than the length of the folded portion.

[0034] According to Aspect 13, by providing a sheet portion longer than the vertical length of the folded portion, it becomes easier to experience the good touch of the cotton layer on the skin.

[0035] Aspect 14 is the absorbent article according to any one of Aspects 1 to 12, wherein at least one of the ventral body circumference portion and the dorsal body circumference portion has an inner layer sheet, an outer layer sheet disposed on the non-skin side of the inner layer sheet, and a folded portion where the upper end in the vertical direction of the outer layer sheet is folded back to the skin side, and in the vertical direction, the length of the sheet portion is shorter than the length of the folded portion.

[0036] According to Aspect 14, by not arranging the sheet portion to be excessively long in the vertical direction, the possibility of fluffing of the cotton layer is further reduced.

[0037] Aspect 15 is the absorbent article according to any one of Aspects 1 to 14, wherein the sheet portion straddles the upper end in the vertical direction of the absorbent body in at least one of the ventral body circumference portion and the dorsal body circumference portion.

[0038] According to Aspect 15, the upper end of the absorbent body is a portion where the unevenness is relatively large, and by covering the upper end, the friction on the skin can be suppressed and the irritation to the skin can be reduced.

[0039] Aspect 16 is the absorbent article according to any one of Aspects 1 to 15, wherein a hook-and-loop fastener is not provided between the sheet portion and the adjacent sheet member in the thickness direction. According to Embodiment 16, when a hook-and-loop fastener is provided, the rigidity increases and it becomes difficult to follow the movement of the adjacent sheet member. However, by not providing such a hook-and-loop fastener, the followability is improved.

[0040] ===Embodiment=== Hereinafter, as an example of the absorbent article according to the present embodiment, an adult disposable pants-type diaper 1 (hereinafter also simply referred to as "diaper 1") will be described as an example. However, the absorbent article according to the present embodiment is not limited to the above, and can also be applied, for example, as a disposable pants-type diaper for infants, a short-type napkin, a tape-type disposable diaper, or the like. <Basic Configuration of Disposable Pants-Type Diaper 1> FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of diaper 1 seen from the ventral side. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of diaper 1 in a deployed and extended state seen from the wearer's skin side. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 2.

[0041] The "deployed state" of diaper 1 means that by releasing the joining of side joining portions SS (described later) provided on both sides in the left-right direction of diaper 1 in the pants-type state of FIG. 1, the ventral body circumferential portion 20 (described later) and the dorsal body circumferential portion 30 (described later) are separated, and by opening diaper 1 in the vertical direction, diaper 1 is in a state of being deployed on a plane. Further, the "extended state" of diaper 1 means a state in which the product (diaper 1) is extended without wrinkles. Specifically, it means a state in which the dimensions of each member (for example, the absorbent main body 10, the ventral body circumferential portion 20, etc.) constituting diaper 1 are extended until they match or are close to the dimensions of the member alone.

[0042] Diaper 1 has a pant-like shape when worn as shown in FIG. 1, having vertical, horizontal, and front-back directions that intersect each other, and a waist opening BH and a pair of leg openings LH. In the vertical direction, the side of the waist opening BH is the upper side, and the side that becomes the wearer's crotch side is the lower side. In the front-back direction, the side that becomes the wearer's abdominal side is the front side, and the side that becomes the back side is the rear side. Also, in the unfolded and extended state shown in FIG. 2, diaper 1 has a longitudinal direction, a horizontal direction, and a thickness direction (the direction penetrating the paper surface in FIG. 2) as three mutually orthogonal directions. Note that the longitudinal direction is along the aforementioned vertical direction. And one side of the longitudinal direction corresponds to the abdominal side (front side), and the other side corresponds to the back side (rear side). Also, diaper 1 has a thickness direction in which materials are laminated as shown in FIG. 3. The side that contacts the wearer in the thickness direction is the skin side, and the opposite side is the non-skin side.

[0043] Diaper 1 has an absorbent body 10 and an outer wrapper 18. The outer wrapper 18 has a pair of waist portions 20, 30 and a crotch portion 40 located at the wearer's crotch. The outer wrapper 18 is joined to the non-skin side surface of the absorbent body 10 with an adhesive or the like. Among the pair of waist portions 20, 30, the one located on the wearer's abdominal side (front side) is also called the abdominal waist portion 20, and the one located on the back side (rear side) is also called the dorsal waist portion 30. The abdominal waist portion 20 and the dorsal waist portion 30 are joined by a pair of side joints SS on both side portions in the horizontal direction. Examples of the joining method by the side joint SS include heat welding, ultrasonic welding, and a joining method using an adhesive.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 3, the absorbent body 10 includes an absorbent core 11, a liquid-permeable topsheet 12 disposed closer to the skin side than the absorbent core 11, a liquid-impermeable backsheet 13 disposed closer to the non-skin side than the absorbent core 11, and an outer wrapper sheet 14. The absorbent core 11 may be any material that can absorb and hold excretory fluids. Examples include materials such as pulp fibers and superabsorbent polymers (SAP) formed into a predetermined shape. The absorbent core 11 may also be covered with a liquid-permeable sheet such as tissue paper or non-woven fabric. The topsheet 12 is formed of, for example, a non-woven fabric such as an air-through non-woven fabric or a spunbond non-woven fabric. The backsheet 13 is, for example, a liquid-impermeable and breathable film such as polyethylene or polypropylene. The outer wrapper sheet 14 is formed of, for example, a non-woven fabric equivalent to the topsheet 12.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 2, on both sides in the left-right direction of the absorbent body 10, a plurality of elastic members 15 (e.g., thread rubber) that stretch along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 10 are provided around the legs. Further, an anti-leakage wall portion that can stand up on the skin side may be provided by providing, for example, an elastic member that stretches in the longitudinal direction inside the elastic members 15 in the left-right direction.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the outer wrapper 18 includes an inner layer sheet 21, a ventral outer layer sheet 22 (outer layer sheet), and a dorsal outer layer sheet 32 (outer layer sheet).

[0047] The inner layer sheet 21 is disposed from the ventral body circumference portion 20 through the crotch portion 40 to the dorsal body circumference portion 30 (FIG. 3). The width (length in the left-right direction) of the inner layer sheet 21 at the ventral body circumference portion 20 and the dorsal body circumference portion 30 is larger than the width (length in the left-right direction) of the inner layer sheet 21 at the crotch portion 40 (FIG. 2). As the inner layer sheet 21, an air-through non-woven fabric, a spunbond non-woven fabric, an SMS non-woven fabric (spunbond-meltblown-spunbond non-woven fabric), a waterproof film, etc. can be used.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ventral outer layer sheet 22 is provided on the non-skin side rather than the inner layer sheet 21, and the ventral outer layer sheet 22 and the inner layer sheet 21 constitute the ventral body circumferential portion 20. The outer end (upper end) of the ventral outer layer sheet 22 in the longitudinal direction is folded back to the skin side. The folded portion 22r of the ventral outer layer sheet 22 wraps one end (outer end) of the inner layer sheet 21 in the longitudinal direction. Note that the outer end (upper end) of the ventral outer layer sheet 22 in the longitudinal direction may not be folded back.

[0049] Similarly, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the dorsal outer layer sheet 32 is provided on the non-skin side rather than the inner layer sheet 21, and the dorsal outer layer sheet 32 and the inner layer sheet 21 constitute the dorsal body circumferential portion 30. The outer end (upper end) of the dorsal outer layer sheet 32 in the longitudinal direction is folded back to the skin side. The folded portion 32r of the dorsal outer layer sheet 32 wraps the other end (outer end) of the inner layer sheet 21 in the longitudinal direction. Note that the outer end (upper end) of the dorsal outer layer sheet 32 in the longitudinal direction may not be folded back.

[0050] As the ventral outer layer sheet 22 and the dorsal outer layer sheet 32, an air-through nonwoven fabric, a spunbond nonwoven fabric, an SMS nonwoven fabric (spunbond - meltblown - spunbond nonwoven fabric), etc. can be used.

[0051] The ventral body circumferential portion 20 and the dorsal body circumferential portion 30 each have body circumferential elastic members 23 and 33 that can expand and contract in the left - right direction. The plurality of body circumferential elastic members 23 and 33 are arranged at intervals in the up - down direction between the inner layer sheet 21 and the ventral outer layer sheet 22 and between the inner layer sheet 21 and the dorsal outer layer sheet 32, and are fixed in an extended state in the left - right direction (see FIGS. 2 and 3). Therefore, the ventral body circumferential portion 20 and the dorsal body circumferential portion 30 expand and contract in the left - right direction and fit the wearer's body circumference. Note that examples of the body circumferential elastic members 23 and 33 include thread - like elastic members such as thread rubber and elongated elastic sheets.

[0052] Also, in the present embodiment, in the dorsal trunk portion 30, the hind leg surrounding elastic member 34 is provided between the inner layer sheet 21 and the dorsal outer layer sheet 32. The hind leg surrounding elastic member 34 may be, for example, a plurality of thread rubbers, an elastic sheet in the form of a stretchable band, or the like. The hind leg surrounding elastic member 34 is joined and fixed by an adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive in an extended state.

[0053] In the present embodiment, in a predetermined region on the most skin side of the ventral trunk portion 20 and the dorsal trunk portion 30, sheet portions 25 and 35 that are easy to absorb the sweat of the wearer are provided (the hatched portions in FIG. 2). The sheet portions 25 and 35 are arranged closer to the skin side than the absorbent body 10, are shorter in the vertical direction than the inner layer sheet 21, the ventral and dorsal outer layer sheets 22 and 32, etc., and are strip-shaped sheet members arranged to cover the longitudinal ends of the absorbent body 10. Details of the sheet portions 25 and 35 will be described later.

[0054] The basic configuration of the diaper 1 has been described above, but the configuration of the diaper 1 described above is an example and is not limited thereto. For example, in the diaper 1 of the present embodiment, the outer package 18 having three parts, namely, the ventral trunk portion 20, the dorsal trunk portion 30, and the crotch portion 40 connecting them, is provided. However, it is not limited to this. For example, the ventral trunk portion 20 and the dorsal trunk portion 30 may be configured as separate members, and the diaper may have a configuration in which the non-skin side surface of the absorbent body 10 is exposed in the crotch portion, or the diaper may have an outer package member configured as a single member continuous from the ventral trunk portion 20 to the dorsal trunk portion 30.

[0055] <Regarding the sheet portions 25 and 35> Hereinafter, the specific configurations of the seat portions 25 and 35 according to the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the seat portion 25 provided in the ventral trunk circumference portion 20 and the seat portion 35 provided in the dorsal trunk circumference portion 30 have substantially the same configuration. Therefore, in the following description, for the content common to both the seat portion 25 and the seat portion 35, only the seat portion 25 will be described on behalf of both. For the seat portion 35, specific description will be omitted, such as indicating the reference numerals of the members corresponding to the seat portion 25 in parentheses as necessary.

[0056] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the seat portion 25. As described above, the seat portion 25 in the present embodiment constitutes a part of the surface that contacts the wearer's skin in the ventral trunk circumference portion 20 (FIG. 3). And as shown in FIG. 4, the seat portion 25 has a skin-side layer 25a arranged to contact the wearer's skin and a non-skin-side layer 25b located on the non-skin side in the thickness direction of the skin-side layer 25a.

[0057] The skin-side layer 25a is a layer having cotton fibers, which are hydrophilic fibers, as base fibers (hereinafter, the skin-side layer 25a is also referred to as the "cotton layer 25a"). Note that the above-mentioned "base material" means a material whose mass ratio in each layer (skin-side layer 25a, non-skin-side layer 25b) exceeds 50%. As the non-skin-side fibers, which are the base fibers of the non-skin-side layer 25b, polyester fibers, polypropylene fibers, polyethylene fibers, or composite fibers thereof, whose fiber surfaces are hydrophilized, are used. Note that each of the fibers listed as the above-mentioned non-skin-side fibers may not be subjected to hydrophilization treatment.

[0058] In the seat member constituting the seat portion 25 of the present embodiment, the cotton fibers 25as, which are the base fibers of the cotton layer 25a, are entangled with the non-skin-side fibers 25bs, which are the base fibers of the non-skin-side layer 25b (FIG. 4). As a method of integrating the cotton layer 25a and the non-skin-side layer 25b by entanglement, for example, a known water jet entanglement method or the like can be used.

[0059] As described above, the sheet member (sheet portion 25) is formed by the entanglement of fibers in each layer. However, in the cotton layer 25a of the present embodiment, all fibers except the non-skin-side fibers 25bs that have entered the cotton layer 25a are cotton fibers. However, it is not limited to this, and the cotton layer 25a may have cotton fibers exceeding 50% by mass, and preferably may have cotton fibers exceeding 80% by mass.

[0060] In addition, in the present embodiment, in the process of integrating the cotton layer 25a and the non-skin-side layer 25b using the water flow entanglement method as described above, the hydrophilic agent applied to the surface of the base material fibers of the non-skin-side layer 25b is partially removed by the water flow. Therefore, the non-skin-side fibers bs of the non-skin-side layer 25b in the present embodiment include fibers in which the hydrophilic agent has been completely removed to become hydrophobic fibers, fibers in which a part of the hydrophilic agent has been removed but the hydrophilic agent remains partially, and fibers in which the hydrophilic agent remains completely.

[0061] Therefore, in the sheet portion 25 of the present embodiment, the hydrophilicity of the cotton fibers 25as, which are the base material fibers of the cotton layer 25a, is higher than the hydrophilicity of the non-skin-side fibers 25bs, which are the base material fibers of the non-skin-side layer 25b. And the sheet portion 25 can be used as a part for absorbing the sweat of the wearer. When the diaper 1 is worn, the sweat adhering to the skin is first absorbed from the cotton layer 25a, and the absorbed sweat migrates to the non-skin-side layer 25b side. By disposing the cotton layer 25a having the cotton fibers 25as with high hydrophilicity as the base material on the surface in contact with the skin of the wearer, the water absorption is improved. Also, since the hydrophilicity of the non-skin-side fibers 25bs of the non-skin-side layer 25b is lower than that of the cotton fibers as, when the moisture such as sweat absorbed by the cotton fibers as moves to the non-skin side, the non-skin-side layer 25b promotes evaporation without excessively retaining moisture, making the sheet portion 25 less stuffy. By disposing such a sheet portion 25 (35) on the ventral body circumference portion 20 (dorsal body circumference portion 30), the occurrence of skin troubles such as eczema, chafing, and rash can be suppressed.

[0062] The "hydrophilicity" of the above-mentioned fibers is evaluated based on the contact angle of the fibers measured by the following method. Specifically, the smaller the measured contact angle, the higher the hydrophilicity, and the larger the contact angle, the lower the hydrophilicity. <Method for Measuring Contact Angle> (1) First, cotton fibers and non-skin-side fibers are taken out from predetermined parts of each layer. The taken-out fibers are cut to a fiber length of 10 mm, and five fibers of each are prepared as samples. (2) As the measuring device, an automatic minimum contact angle meter MCA-J manufactured by Kyowa Interface Science Co., Ltd. is used, and the measuring environment is set to a room temperature of 22 ± 2°C and a humidity of 65 ± 2%RH. (3) The sample is placed on the measuring device, and 20 picoliters of distilled water (micro-droplets) are dropped onto the surface of the fiber from the inkjet head mounted on the device, and the state of the micro-droplets is recorded over time. (4) The image immediately after the micro-droplets adhere to the surface of the fiber is analyzed by image analysis, and the contact angle of the micro-droplets with respect to the fiber surface is calculated. (5) The contact angles at 20 different locations are measured for each fiber. The contact angles of the five samples are measured respectively, and the average value of the 100 measurement values in total is adopted as the contact angle. In addition, when the layer (sheet) to be measured is joined to other members by an adhesive, fusion, etc., the joint part is weakened in adhesive force by a cooling means such as cold spray within a range that does not affect the contact angle of the fiber, and then taken out.

[0063] In addition, when comparing the "fibers with the hydrophilizing agent completely remaining" among the non-skin-side fibers bs of the non-skin-side layer 25b described above by the above evaluation method, the cotton fibers 25as of the cotton layer 25a have higher hydrophilicity.

[0064] Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the cotton layer 25a and the non-skin side layer 25b are laminated in the thickness direction, but at least a part of the cotton fibers 25as of the cotton layer 25a exists on the same surface as the non-skin side surface of the non-skin side layer 25b. That is, the cotton fibers 25as of the cotton layer 25a are intertwined with the non-skin side fibers 25bs and at least a part thereof extends into the non-skin side layer 25b, and a part of the extended cotton fibers 25as exists on the same surface as the non-skin side surface of the non-skin side layer 25b. In this way, the presence of the cotton fibers 25as in the non-skin side layer 25b allows the moisture absorbed from the cotton layer 25a to quickly move to the non-skin side layer 25b along the cotton fibers 25as that have entered the non-skin side layer 25b, and the moisture can escape to the outside from the non-skin side layer 25b with relatively low hydrophilicity.

[0065] Conversely, at least a part of the non-skin side fibers 25bs of the non-skin side layer 25b extends into the cotton layer 25a. Thereby, it becomes easier to move the liquid absorbed from the cotton layer 25a to the non-skin side layer 25b along the non-skin side fibers 25bs extending in the cotton layer 25a, so that the possibility that the moisture absorbed by the sheet portion 25 continues to contact the skin of the wearer can be reduced.

[0066] The thickness of each of the cotton layer 25a and the non-skin side layer 25b is, for example, preferably about 0.3 mm to 0.4 mm for the cotton layer 25a and preferably about 0.1 mm for the non-skin side layer 25b.

[0067] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an adhesive for joining the sheet portion 25 and an adjacent sheet member adjacent to the non-skin side of the sheet portion 25. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a joint portion 50x is provided in which the sheet portion 25 and an adjacent sheet member adjacent to the non-skin side in the thickness direction of the sheet portion 25 are joined by a hot melt adhesive. The "adjacent sheet member" in the ventral body circumferential portion 20 is the topsheet 12 in a region where the sheet portion 25 and the absorbent body 10 overlap in the vertical direction (longitudinal direction), and is the folded portion 22r of the ventral outer layer sheet 22 in a region above the absorbent body 10. The joint portion 50x of the present embodiment is provided by applying a hot melt adhesive in a spiral pattern extending along the left-right direction and arranged in two rows in the vertical direction, but the number and application pattern are not limited to this. For example, in addition to applying an adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive by a non-contact application method, the joint portion 50x may be provided by thermal welding or ultrasonic welding.

[0068] Further, as shown in FIG. 5, at least a part of the sheet portion 25 is disposed above the absorbent body 10 in the vertical direction. When a region of the sheet portion 25 disposed above the absorbent body 10 is defined as an upper disposed region 25UP (the portion indicated by the thick line in FIG. 5), the upper disposed region 25UP and the folded portion 22r of the ventral outer layer sheet 22, which is an adjacent sheet member adjacent to the non-skin side in the thickness direction of the upper disposed region 25UP, are joined (adhered) by the joint portion 50x. Further, the ventral body circumferential portion 20 has a non-joint portion 50z in which the upper disposed region 25UP and the folded portion 22r (adjacent sheet member) of the ventral outer layer sheet 22 are not joined by adhesion or the like.

[0069] The wearer's waist is a part where a lot of movement occurs, and in such a waist part, friction between the product (diaper 1) and the wearer's skin is likely to occur during wearing. Therefore, among the waist parts of absorbent articles such as diaper 1, it is desired to arrange cotton on a part of the portion that contacts the skin to suppress irritation to the skin. However, if cotton is arranged on the skin side of the waist part, fuzzing will occur due to contact with the skin. Therefore, a design is required that can provide a comfortable skin feel by arranging cotton on the skin side while suppressing such fuzzing.

[0070] In this regard, in the present embodiment, the upper placement area 25UP of the sheet part 25 is an area located above the absorbent main body 10, and among the sheet part 25, the lower side of the upper placement area 25UP, that is, compared with the part that overlaps the absorbent main body 10 when viewed in the thickness direction, has lower rigidity. Therefore, since the upper placement area 25UP is an area where movement is likely to occur, cotton fibers are likely to fuzz due to rubbing against the skin. In such an upper placement area 25UP, the non-bonded part 50z is a part that is not bonded to the member (the folded-back part 22r) adjacent to the non-skin side and is thus easily deformed freely. Even when movement occurs in the ventral waist part 20 (dorsal waist part 30), the non-bonded part 50z is likely to follow such movement. By the non-bonded part 50z following the movement, friction with the skin can be reduced, and as a result, fuzzing of the cotton fibers 25as of the cotton layer 25a can be suppressed. Also, while the non-bonded part 50z makes the sheet part 25 have an easily deformable part, the provision of the bonded part 50x can also suppress the shedding of the cotton fibers 25as. Furthermore, by the cotton layer 25a continuously contacting the skin while reducing friction with the skin, it is possible to make the wearer feel the softness of cotton while suppressing irritation to the skin.

[0071] Also, when the upper placement area 25UP of the sheet part 25 is viewed in plan (Fig. 5), it is preferable that the total area of the non-joined parts 50z is larger than the total area of the joined parts 50x. Since the total area of the non-joined parts 50z is larger, that is, in the upper placement area 25UP, the ratio occupied by the non-joined parts 50z is larger than the ratio of the joined parts 50x, when movement occurs around the wearer's torso, the upper placement area 25UP can more easily follow the movement. With such a configuration, the friction between the wearer's skin and the sheet part 25 can be reduced, and the fluffing of the cotton layer 25a can be suppressed.

[0072] Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining the vertical length of the joined part 50x in the upper placement area 25UP. As shown in Fig. 6, in the vertical direction of the upper placement area 25UP of the sheet part 25, the length L1 of the joined part 50x is longer than the length L2 of the non-joined part 50z. Here, the vertical length L1 of the joined part 50x means the length of the area where the hot melt adhesive exists when viewed in the vertical direction, and the length L2 of the non-joined part 50z means the length of the area where the hot melt adhesive does not exist when viewed in the vertical direction. Note that, different from this embodiment, when a plurality of coating patterns forming the joined part 50x in the upper placement area 25UP are intermittently provided in the vertical direction, it is preferable that the total length of the joined part 50x in the vertical direction is longer than the total length of the non-joined part 50z.

[0073] In the upper placement area 25UP, if many (long in the vertical direction) non-joined parts 50z where the upper placement area 25UP and the folded-back part 22r of the ventral outer layer sheet 22 adjacent to the non-skin side are not joined are provided, the fluffing of the cotton layer 25a located closest to the skin side can be suppressed. However, on the other hand, there is a risk that the joining between the sheet part 25 and the folded-back part 22r will peel off. Therefore, by making the vertical length (or the total length) of the joined part 50x longer than the length (or the total length) of the non-joined part 50z, the joining of the sheet part 25 can be made less likely to peel off.

[0074] In addition, the average fiber length of the non-skin-side fibers 25bs, which are the base fibers of the non-skin-side layer 25b, is longer than the average fiber length of the cotton fibers 25as, which are the base fibers of the cotton layer 25a. Then, at the joint portion 50x, the cotton fibers 25as with a short average fiber length are joined to the non-skin-side fibers 25bs with a long average fiber length, thereby improving the durability of the cotton layer 25a and making it difficult for the cotton fibers 25as to fall off. Also, at the joint portion 50x that joins the sheet portion 25 and the folded-back portion 22r (adjacent sheet member), since the average fiber length of the non-skin-side fibers 25bs of the non-skin-side layer 25b located on the non-skin side of the sheet portion 25 is long, the joint is less likely to peel off, and the followability of the folded-back portion 22r (adjacent sheet member) of the ventral outer layer sheet 22 located on the non-skin side of the sheet portion 25 is improved.

[0075] Note that the average fiber length means the length-weighted average fiber length measured by the center fiber length (Cont). The length-weighted average fiber length is measured as the L(l) value by the Kajaani FiberLab fiber properties (off-line) manufactured by Metso Automation. This is also a method recommended by JIS P 8226-2 (Pulp - Fiber length measurement method by engineering automatic analysis method - Conforming to the non-polarization method).

[0076] Moreover, the thermal conductivity of the cotton fibers 25as of the cotton layer 25a that contacts the wearer's skin is lower than the thermal conductivity of the non-skin-side fibers 25bs, which are the base fibers of the non-skin-side layer 25b. The cotton layer 25a with cotton fibers 25as having a low thermal conductivity is not likely to become cold immediately even if the cotton layer 25a gets wet by sweat or the like during wearing. Also, since the non-skin-side fibers 25bs in the non-skin-side layer 25b have a higher thermal conductivity than the cotton fibers 25as, heat exchange is promoted, heat is released further to the non-skin side than the non-skin-side layer 25b, and it is difficult for heat to be trapped in the sheet portion 25.

[0077] The thermal conductivity of the fiber can be measured, for example, in accordance with ISO 22007-2 using a hot disk method thermal property measuring device (e.g., TPS2500S manufactured by Hot Disk). Specifically, for example, a disk-shaped measurement sample with a sample size of Φ5 mm and a thickness of 2 mm is formed using each fiber, the sensor of the measuring device is sandwiched between the samples, and heat is generated by passing a constant current, and the thermal conductivity is calculated from the temperature rise.

[0078] The sheet portion 25 has cotton fibers 25as in the cotton layer 25a and non-skin-side fibers 25bs in the non-skin-side layer 25b. However, in the entire sheet portion 25, the ratio of the cotton fibers 25as may be less than 50% by mass. The cotton fibers have a rounded fiber shape, and the skin-side layer 25a (cotton layer) of the sheet portion 25 located on the most skin-facing side of the ventral body circumference portion 20 is composed of such cotton fibers 25as, so that a good touch can be felt. At the same time, by reducing the mass ratio of the cotton fibers 25as, the fuzzing of the cotton layer 25a can be suppressed.

[0079] In order to compare the masses of the respective fibers in the entire sheet portion 25, it is necessary to separate the cotton fibers 25as and the non-skin-side fibers 25bs. As a separation method, the sheet member that is the sheet portion 25 is immersed in water and stirred for 24 hours, whereby the cotton fibers 25as and the non-skin-side fibers 25bs can be separated.

[0080] Returning to FIG. 2, the sheet portion 25 (35) of the present embodiment straddles the upper and lower ends 10e of the absorbent body 10 in the vertical direction at the ventral body circumference portion 20 (dorsal body circumference portion 30). The upper end 10e of the absorbent body 10 is a portion where the unevenness is relatively large. By covering the upper end 10e from the skin side, the friction against the skin during wearing can be suppressed, and the irritation to the skin can be reduced. In the present embodiment, the sheet portions 25 and 35 straddle the upper end 10e of the absorbent body 10 in the vertical direction at both the ventral body circumference portion 20 and the dorsal body circumference portion 30. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and at least one of the ventral body circumference portion 20 and the dorsal body circumference portion 30 may have such a configuration.

[0081] Also, as described above, in the ventral body circumferential portion 20, the sheet portion 25 and the adjacent sheet member (the folded-back portion 22r of the top sheet 12 and the ventral outer layer sheet 22) adjacent to the non-skin surface side of the sheet portion 25 in the thickness direction are joined by the joint portion 50x. However, in the thickness direction, it is desirable that no hook-and-loop fastener or the like is provided between the sheet portion 25 and the adjacent sheet member. That is, it is preferable that the sheet portion 25 and the adjacent sheet member are not joined by a hook-and-loop fastener or the like. If a hook-and-loop fastener is provided between the sheet portion 25 and the adjacent sheet member, the rigidity will increase, and the sheet portion 25 will be less likely to follow the movement of the adjacent sheet member located on the non-skin side. By not providing such a hook-and-loop fastener, the followability is improved.

[0082] FIG. 7A shows an enlarged photograph of the sheet portion 25 viewed from the skin side, and FIG. 7B is a diagram for explaining the low basis weight portion 25aL. FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the ventral body circumferential portion 20 of the diaper 1 shown in FIG. 2. First, as shown in FIG. 4, the cotton layer 25a has a predetermined basis weight portion 25ap including cotton fibers 25as having a predetermined basis weight and a low basis weight portion 25aL having a lower basis weight of the cotton fibers 25as than the predetermined basis weight portion 25ap. Here, the basis weight is the mass per unit area. FIG. 7A shows the cotton layer 25a in a state of being viewed from the skin side, and for clarity, some of the low basis weight portions 25aL are surrounded by white lines and shown. Also, the low basis weight portion 25aL of the present embodiment includes the case where the basis weight of the cotton fibers 25as is zero.

[0083] Specifically, in the low basis weight portion 25aL shown in FIG. 7A, since the basis weight of the cotton fibers 25as is low or zero, when viewed from the skin side, the non-skin side fibers 25bs of the non-skin side layer 25b located on the non-skin side of the cotton layer 25a can be visually recognized. By the predetermined basis weight portion 25ap of the cotton layer 25a, while realizing a comfortable touch on the skin by the cotton fibers 25as, since the cotton layer 25a has the low basis weight portion 25aL, it is possible to suppress the dropping of the cotton fibers as with a short average fiber length. That is, it is possible to achieve both the comfort of the cotton fibers 25as and the prevention of dropping.

[0084] In FIG. 7B, the low basis weight portion 25aL of the cotton layer 25a is schematically shown. As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, in the cotton layer 25a, a plurality of low basis weight portions 25aL are provided at intervals in the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, the shape of the low basis weight portion 25aL is shown as a substantially rhombic shape, but the shape, number, and arrangement of the low basis weight portions 25aL are not limited to the configuration of the low basis weight portion 25aL of the present embodiment.

[0085] Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the ventral body circumferential portion 20 has a plurality of body circumferential elastic members 23 that are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction between the inner layer sheet 21 and the outer layer sheet 22 and are stretchable in the left-right direction. Here, returning to FIG. 7B, in the cotton layer 25a of the sheet portion 25, a certain low basis weight portion is defined as the low basis weight portion 25aL1, and another low basis weight portion vertically adjacent to the low basis weight portion 25aL is defined as the low basis weight portion 25aL2. The vertical center-to-center distance between the low basis weight portions 25aL1 and 25aL2 (the distance from the vertical center P1 of the low basis weight portion 25aL1 to the vertical center P2 of the low basis weight portion 25aL2) is designated as L3. Also, as shown in FIG. 8, the vertical center-to-center distance between the body circumferential elastic members 23 adjacent to each other in the vertical direction in the skin-side body circumferential portion 20 (the distance from the vertical center of one body circumferential elastic member 23 to the vertical center of the other body circumferential elastic member 23) is designated as L7. In this embodiment, the minimum value of the vertical center-to-center distance (L3) between the vertically adjacent low basis weight portions 25aL is smaller than the minimum value of the vertical center-to-center distance (L7) between the vertically adjacent body circumferential elastic members 23. By providing a plurality of low basis weight portions 25aL such that the vertical interval becomes smaller, it is possible to further suppress the shedding of the cotton fibers 25as having a short average fiber length and reduce the irritation to the skin due to the shedding of the fibers.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 8, the sheet portion 25 is disposed at a distance downward from the upper end 20e in the vertical direction of the ventral body circumferential portion 20. When the region from the upper end 20e of the ventral body circumferential portion 20 to the upper end 25e of the sheet portion 25 in the vertical direction is defined as the non-disposed region NT, and the region from the upper end 25e to the lower end 25d of the sheet portion 25 of the ventral body circumferential portion 20 in the vertical direction is defined as the disposed region 25H, the non-disposed region NT has a higher tightening force when the diaper is worn than the disposed region 25H. Specifically, the magnitude of the force required to extend the non-disposed region NT with a unit width in the vertical direction by a unit length in the left-right direction is greater than the magnitude of the force required to extend the disposed region 25H with a unit width in the vertical direction by a unit length in the left-right direction.

[0087] Note that the comparison between the force required to extend the non-arrangement region NT with a unit width in the vertical direction by a unit length in the horizontal direction and the force required to extend the arrangement region 25H with a unit width in the vertical direction by a unit length in the horizontal direction may be performed by a well-known method. For example, the non-arrangement region NT and the arrangement region 25H are each cut out as samples from the ventral body circumference portion 20 (or the dorsal body circumference portion 30) so that their lengths in the vertical direction are the same, and both ends of the samples corresponding to the horizontal direction of the diaper 1 are sandwiched by the chucks of a tensile testing machine. The load obtained in a state where the samples are extended with a unit length between the chucks is measured. Then, it is advisable to compare the values obtained by dividing the load of each sample by the above-mentioned aligned length in the vertical direction (so-called unit width).

[0088] Also, in the present embodiment, the portion of the non-arrangement region NT closest to the skin surface side is the folded-back portion 22r of the ventral outer layer sheet 22, and the ventral outer layer sheet 22 contains hydrophobic fibers. Examples of the hydrophobic fibers include polypropylene, polyester, and composite fibers of polyethylene - polypropylene. By including hydrophobic fibers on the skin surface side of the non-arrangement region NT with a strong tightening force, stickiness during wearing of the diaper 1 is suppressed, and discomfort to the wearer's body is reduced. Further, in the arrangement region 25H of the sheet portion 25 where fuzzing is likely to occur when the tightening force becomes strong, by weakening the tightening force, friction with the skin is reduced, and the cotton fibers 25as are prevented from fuzzing.

[0089] Also, as shown in FIG. 8, in the vertical direction, it is desirable that the length L5 of the sheet portion 25 is equal to or less than half of the length L4 of the side joint portion SS that joins the ventral body circumference portion 20 and the dorsal body circumference portion 30. Further, in the vertical direction, it is desirable that the length L5 of the sheet portion 25 is equal to or less than half of the length of the ventral body circumference portion 20 (or the dorsal body circumference portion 30). That is, by reducing the friction against the skin by the cotton layer 25a of the sheet portion 25 and suppressing the length of the cotton layer 25a, fuzzing is suppressed. Thereby, it is possible to achieve both a good tactile sensation due to the cotton layer 25a and prevention of fuzzing.

[0090] In addition, in the present embodiment, the ventral body circumferential portion 20 (dorsal body circumferential portion 30) has a folded-back portion 22r (32r) where the upper and lower ends of the ventral outer layer sheet 22 (dorsal outer layer sheet 32) are folded back toward the skin side. In the vertical direction, the length L5 of the sheet portion 25 is shorter than the length L6 of the folded-back portion 22r (32r) (FIG. 8). In this way, by not arranging the sheet portion 25 to be excessively long in the vertical direction, the possibility of fuzzing of the cotton layer 25a is further reduced.

[0091] However, the longitudinal length L5 of the sheet portion 25 is not limited to this. On the contrary, in the vertical direction, the length L5 of the sheet portion 25 may be longer than the length L6 of the folded-back portion 22r (32r). By providing the sheet portion 25 longer than the vertical length L6 of the folded-back portion 22r (32r), it becomes easier to more substantially feel the good texture of the cotton layer 25a.

[0092] In addition, in the present embodiment, the sheet portion 25 is a sheet member disposed closer to the skin side than the inner layer sheet 21. That is, for example, in the ventral body circumferential portion 20, since the body circumferential elastic member 23 is disposed between the inner layer sheet 21 and the ventral outer layer sheet 22 located on the non-skin side relative to the inner layer sheet 21, there will be a region that interferes between the body circumferential elastic member 23 and the sheet portion 25 (sheet member) including the cotton layer 25a. The interfering region in the ventral body circumferential portion 20 is the folded-back portion 22r of the inner layer sheet 21 and the ventral outer layer sheet 22, or the inner layer sheet 21 and the absorbent body 10. Due to the existence of such an interfering region, the cotton layer 25a in contact with the skin can be prevented from being excessively stretched and contracted by the body circumferential elastic member 23, reducing the friction between the cotton layer 25a and the skin while suppressing the shedding and fuzzing of the cotton fibers 25as.

[0093] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a modified example of the sheet portion 25. In the present embodiment, as the sheet portion 25, a sheet member different from the inner layer sheet 21 and the ventral outer layer sheet 22 (dorsal outer layer sheet 32) was provided, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in the modified example shown in FIG. 9, no separate sheet member is provided as the sheet portion 25, and the upper end of the ventral outer layer sheet 22 (dorsal outer layer sheet 32) is not folded back toward the skin side. Above the absorbent body 10, the inner layer sheet 21 is located closest to the skin side.

[0094] And in this modified example, the upper end portion of the inner layer sheet 21, which is a part of the inner layer sheet 21, functions as the sheet portion 25. That is, all of the inner layer sheet 21, or at least the portion of the inner layer sheet 21 that becomes the sheet portion 25, has a skin-side layer (cotton layer) 25a on the skin side and a non-skin-side layer 25b on the non-skin side in the thickness direction of the skin-side layer 25a. And a joint portion 50x (not shown here) where a part of the inner layer sheet 21, the sheet portion 25, and the ventral outer layer sheet 22 (adjacent sheet member) adjacent to the non-skin surface side in the thickness direction of the sheet portion 25 are joined by welding or adhesion, and a non-joint portion 50z (not shown here) where the sheet portion 25 and the ventral outer layer sheet 22 (adjacent sheet member) are not joined by welding or adhesion. Thus, similar to the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress the fluffing of the cotton fibers 25as due to the ease of deformation of the non-joint portion 50z and suppress the dropping of the cotton fibers 25as due to the joint portion 50x. Further, when the cotton layer 25a of the sheet portion 25 contacts the skin, the wearer can feel the softness of the cotton.

[0095] FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B are diagrams for explaining another modification of the sheet portion 25. In the modification shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, a separate sheet member is not provided as the sheet portion 25, and the folded-back portion 22r (32r) of the ventral outer layer sheet 22 (dorsal outer layer sheet 32) is used as the sheet portion 25 (35). In this modification, at least the portion of the ventral outer layer sheet 22 (dorsal outer layer sheet 32) that becomes the sheet portion 25 (35) has a skin-side layer (cotton layer) 25a on the skin side and a non-skin-side layer 25b on the non-skin side in the thickness direction of the skin-side layer 25a. And a joint portion 50x (not shown here) where the sheet portion 25 (35) that is a part of the ventral outer layer sheet 22 (dorsal outer layer sheet 32) and the inner layer sheet 21 (adjacent sheet member) adjacent to the sheet portion 25 (35) from the non-skin surface side in the thickness direction are joined by welding or adhesion, and a non-joint portion 50z (not shown here) where the sheet portion 25 (35) and the inner layer sheet 21 (adjacent sheet member) are not joined by welding or adhesion are provided, so that the same operational effects as those of the above-described present embodiment can be obtained. Note that the folded-back portion 22r (32r) that is the sheet portion 25 (35) of this modification is a portion where the tightening is strong at the ventral body circumference portion 20 (dorsal body circumference portion 30). The presence of the cotton layer 25a on the skin contact surface of such a portion allows the wearer to more strongly feel the softness of the cotton. Also, since the non-joint portion 50z makes it easier to follow the movement of the body circumference, the friction with the skin can be reduced and the fluffing of the cotton fibers can be suppressed.

[0096] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a modified example of the arrangement of the sheet portion 25(35). In the modified example shown in FIG. 11, the sheet portion 25(35) is not provided up to both left and right ends in the lateral direction of the ventral body circumferential portion 20 (dorsal body circumferential portion 30), and is provided so as to straddle the central portion in the lateral direction of the ventral body circumferential portion 20 (dorsal body circumferential portion 30) and the upper end 10e of the absorbent body 10 in the vertical direction. Since the upper end 10e of the absorbent body 10 is a portion where the unevenness is relatively large, by arranging the sheet portion 25(35) so that at least the entire upper end 10e is covered, the friction against the skin during wearing can be suppressed, and the irritation given to the skin can be reduced. Further, in the upper arrangement region 25UP (both 35UP, the portions shown by thick lines in FIG. 11) of the sheet portion 25(35) that is arranged above the absorbent body 10, the non-bonded portion 50z of the present embodiment (not shown here) is provided, so that it becomes easier to follow the movement of the body circumference, and the fluffing of the cotton fibers 25as of the cotton layer 25a is suppressed.

[0097] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing still another modification of the sheet portion 25(35). In the modification shown in FIG. 12, a sheet member serving as the sheet portion 25(35) is provided between the inner layer sheet 21 of the absorbent body 10. Further, the sheet member serving as the sheet portion 25 is provided in the abdominal body circumferential portion 20 in a region from one end to the other end in the left - right direction of the pair of side joining portions SS and in a region from the upper end to the lower end in the up - down direction of the pair of side joining portions SS. In the dorsal body circumferential portion 30, the sheet member serving as the sheet portion 35 is provided in a region from one end to the other end in the left - right direction of the pair of side joining portions SS and in a region from the upper end to the vicinity of the lower end in the up - down direction of the pair of side joining portions SS. With such a configuration, the cotton layer 25a exists in most of the skin - contacting surface in the region of the abdominal body circumferential portion 20 (dorsal body circumferential portion 30) other than the region where the absorbent body 10 is disposed, and the touch feeling is improved. Further, by having a non - joined portion 50z (not shown here) where the sheet portion 25(35) and the inner layer sheet 21 are not joined by welding or adhesion, the sheet portion 25(35) can easily follow the movement of the wearer's body circumference, and since the friction with the skin can be reduced, even if the ratio of the cotton layer 25a in contact with the skin increases, the fluffing of the cotton fibers can be suppressed.

[0098] <Regarding other aspects of the absorbent article 1> Regarding the absorbent article 1, in addition to the above - described aspects, the following aspects are possible.

[0099] (Other aspect 1) An absorbent article 1 having an absorbent body 10, a ventral body circumferential portion 20 located on the ventral side of the wearer, and a dorsal body circumferential portion 30 located on the dorsal side of the wearer, the absorbent article 1 having a sheet portion 25(35) disposed on at least one of the ventral body circumferential portion 20 and the dorsal body circumferential portion 30 on the side closest to the skin, the sheet portion 25(35) and an adjacent sheet member adjacent to the sheet portion 25(35) from the non-skin side being joined by adhesion or welding, the sheet portion 25(35) having a skin-side layer 25a that contacts the skin of the wearer and a non-skin-side layer 25b located on the non-skin side of the skin-side layer, and the hydrophilicity of the skin-side fibers 25as, which are the base fibers of the skin-side layer 25a, being higher than the hydrophilicity of the non-skin-side fibers 25bs, which are the base fibers of the non-skin-side layer 25b.

[0100] Then, since the skin-side layer 25a has a high hydrophilicity of the skin-side fibers 25as, it is easy to absorb sweat and excretory fluid. On the other hand, since the hydrophilicity of the non-skin-side fibers 25bs, which are the base fibers of the non-skin-side layer 25b, is lower than that of the skin-side fibers 25as, even when the sheet portion 25 is wet, the adhesive strength with the adjacent sheet member can be maintained, preventing the sheet portion 25 from peeling off. Thereby, the original function of the sheet portion 25 can be exhibited, and the wearing feeling can be prevented from being impaired due to the peeling of the sheet portion 25.

[0101] (Other Aspect 2) The absorbent article 1 is characterized in that the content rate of the skin-side fibers 25as in the sheet portion 25 is 50% by mass or less.

[0102] Then, when the mass ratio of the skin-side fibers 25as with high hydrophilicity becomes too high in the entire sheet portion 25, there is a risk that the adhesive strength with the adjacent sheet member becomes weak when the sheet portion 25 is wet. However, by lowering the mass ratio of the skin-side fibers 25as in the entire sheet portion 25, this can be avoided.

[0103] (Other Aspect 3) The absorbent article 1 is characterized in that at least a part of the skin-side fibers 25as in the skin-side layer 25a is present on the same surface as the surface of the non-skin-side 25bs of the non-skin-side layer 25b.

[0104] Then, the moisture absorbed by the skin-side layer 25a can be quickly transferred to the non-skin-side layer 25b through the extending skin-side fibers 25as. Thereby, the excessive moisture in the skin-side layer 25a can be removed to the non-skin-side layer 25b. Since the proportion of the skin-side fibers 25as in the non-skin-side layer 25b is low, the non-skin-side layer 25b does not retain too much of the transferred moisture and can maintain the adhesion strength with the adjacent sheet member. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the wearing feeling from being impaired due to the unexpected peeling of the sheet portion 25.

[0105] (Other Aspect 4) In the skin-side layer 25a and the non-skin-side layer 25b, when the portion where the fibers are welded is defined as the welded portion 50x, the total volume of the welded portion 50x per unit volume of the non-skin-side layer 25b is larger than the total volume of the welded portion 50x per unit volume of the skin-side layer 25a. The absorbent article 1 is characterized in this way.

[0106] Then, since the skin-side layer 25a has few (or no) welded portions, moisture easily enters between the fibers, and it is easy to absorb moisture from the wearer's skin. On the other hand, the non-skin-side layer 25b ensures the smoothness of the surface by having the welded portion 50x and is likely to maintain the adhesion strength even when the sheet portion is wet. In addition, since the presence of the welded portion 50x in the non-skin-side layer 25b improves the strength of the entire sheet portion 25, it is possible to make it difficult to peel off the adhesion with the adjacent sheet member.

[0107] (Other Aspect 5) The absorbent article 1 is characterized in that the ratio of the total volume of the welded portion 50x in the total volume of the non-skin-side layer 25b is 5% or more and 25% or less.

[0108] Then, when the welded portion 50x exists at such a ratio, the non-skin-side layer 25b ensures the smoothness of the surface, is likely to maintain the adhesion strength even when the sheet portion 25 is wet, and also improves the strength of the entire sheet portion 25. Thereby, it becomes difficult to peel off the adhesion with the adjacent sheet member.

[0109] (Other Aspect 6) The non-skin side layer 25b has a non-skin side layer skin side portion located on the skin side and a non-skin side layer non-skin side portion located on the non-skin side in the thickness direction of the non-skin side layer 25b, and the absorbent article 1 is characterized in that the fiber density of the non-skin side fibers 25bs in the non-skin side layer non-skin side portion is higher than the fiber density of the non-skin side fibers 25bs in the non-skin side layer skin side portion.

[0110] Then, the non-skin side layer non-skin side portion is the portion on the side that adheres to the adjacent sheet member. In the non-skin side layer 25b, since the fiber density of the non-skin side portion is higher, the adhesion strength with the adjacent sheet member can be increased.

[0111] (Other Aspect 7) The non-skin side layer 25b has a non-skin side layer skin side portion located on the skin side and a non-skin side layer non-skin side portion located on the non-skin side in the thickness direction of the non-skin side layer 25b, and the absorbent article 1 is characterized in that the fiber density of the non-skin side fibers 25bs in the non-skin side layer skin side portion is higher than the fiber density of the non-skin side fibers 25bs in the non-skin side layer non-skin side portion.

[0112] Then, a higher fiber density makes it easier to draw in liquid. When the fiber density of the non-skin side layer skin side portion is high, a portion with a high fiber density of the non-skin side fibers 25bs is arranged adjacent to the highly hydrophilic skin side layer 25a. The moisture absorbed by the skin side fibers 25as can be drawn into the non-skin side layer skin side portion, reducing the moisture content of the skin side layer 25a and suppressing stickiness and other sensations on the part that touches the skin.

[0113] (Other Aspect 8) The non-skin side layer 25b has a non-skin side layer skin side portion located on the skin side and a non-skin side layer non-skin side portion located on the non-skin side in the thickness direction of the non-skin side layer 25b, and the absorbent article 1 is characterized in that the hydrophilicity of the non-skin side fibers 25bs in the non-skin side layer skin side portion is higher than the hydrophilicity of the non-skin side fibers 25bs in the non-skin side layer non-skin side portion.

[0114] Then, the skin-side portion of the non-skin layer is the portion on the side that contacts the skin-side fibers 25as of the skin-side layer 25a. By increasing the hydrophilicity of the non-skin-side fibers 25bs in the skin-side portion of the non-skin layer, it becomes easier for moisture to transfer from the skin-side fibers 25as to the non-skin-side fibers 25bs. The transferred moisture is less likely to stay in the non-skin-side portion of the non-skin layer with low hydrophilicity and is more likely to promote evaporation. Since it is difficult for moisture to accumulate in the non-skin-side portion of the non-skin layer, it becomes easier to maintain the adhesion between the non-skin layer 25b and the adjacent sheet member.

[0115] (Other Aspect 9) The skin-side fibers 25as are cotton fibers, and the non-skin-side fibers 25bs are hydrophobic fibers containing at least one of polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyurethane, or fibers obtained by hydrophilically treating at least one of polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyurethane. The absorbent article 1 is characterized by this.

[0116] Then, the skin-side layer 25a contains cotton fibers, making it easier to absorb moisture from the skin. The non-skin layer 25b contains the above hydrophobic fibers (or hydrophilically treated fibers), so that after excessive moisture in the skin-side layer 25a transfers to the non-skin layer 25b, it can be removed without retaining moisture, and the adhesion strength with the adjacent sheet member is maintained. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the wearing feeling from being impaired due to the unexpected peeling of the sheet portion 25.

[0117] (Other Aspect 10) The non-skin layer 25b has a predetermined basis weight portion provided with non-skin-side fibers 25bs of a predetermined basis weight and a low basis weight portion where the basis weight of the non-skin-side fibers 25bs is lower than that of the predetermined basis weight portion. The absorbent article 1 is characterized in that the low basis weight portion 25aL of the skin-side layer 25a and the low basis weight portion of the non-skin layer 25b have an overlapping portion when viewed in the thickness direction of the absorbent article 1.

[0118] Then, in the overlapping portion, it promotes drawing the moisture absorbed by the skin-side layer 25a from the low basis weight portion 25aL of the skin-side layer 25a to the low basis weight portion of the non-skin-side layer 25b. Therefore, by removing the moisture from the sheet portion 25 more promptly, the adhesive strength can be maintained, and the occurrence of peeling of the sheet portion 25 can be prevented.

[0119] (Other Aspect 11) A sheet member 25 for an absorbent article, having a skin-side layer 25a capable of contacting the wearer's skin and a non-skin-side layer 25b provided on the non-skin side of the skin-side layer 25a, wherein the hydrophilicity of the skin-side fibers 25as which are the base fibers of the skin-side layer 25a is higher than the hydrophilicity of the non-skin-side fibers 25bs which are the base fibers of the non-skin-side layer 25b, and the skin-side layer 25a has a predetermined basis weight portion 25ap provided with skin-side fibers 25as of a predetermined basis weight and a low basis weight portion 25aL where the basis weight of the skin-side fibers 25as is lower than that of the predetermined basis weight portion 25ap, and in a thickness direction view, it has a portion where the predetermined basis weight portion 25ap and the non-skin-side layer 25b overlap and a portion where the low basis weight portion 25aL and the non-skin-side layer 25b overlap. The sheet member 25 is characterized by this.

[0120] Then, while improving the water absorbency and touch of the sheet member 25 by the skin-side layer 25a with high hydrophilicity, it becomes easier to move the moisture absorbed by the skin-side layer 25a from the low basis weight portion 25aL to the non-skin side of the sheet member 25. Therefore, the possibility that the moisture absorbed by the sheet member 25 continues to contact the wearer's skin can be reduced, and the discomfort and adverse effects on the wearer's skin can be reduced.

[0121] (Other Aspect 12) The sheet member 25 is characterized by having a portion where the skin-side fibers 25as and the non-skin-side fibers 25bs are intertwined.

[0122] Then, the flexibility of the sheet member 25 can be improved, and the touch of the absorbent article 1 using the sheet member 25 can be improved.

[0123] (Other Aspect 13) The sheet member 25 is characterized in that the skin-side fibers 25as are cotton fibers.

[0124] Then, since the fiber shape of the skin-side fibers 25as of the skin-side layer 25a that can contact the wearer's skin is round cotton fibers, the contact with the wearer's skin is good, and the irritation to the wearer's skin during wearing can be reduced.

[0125] (Other Aspect 14) The sheet member 25 has a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction orthogonal to the thickness direction, and in the longitudinal direction, a predetermined basis weight portion 25ap and a low basis weight portion 25aL are alternately arranged, and in the lateral direction, the predetermined basis weight portion 25ap and the low basis weight portion 25aL are alternately arranged. The sheet member 25 is characterized in that.

[0126] Then, while improving the water absorption and the feel of the skin by the predetermined basis weight portion 25ap of the skin-side layer 25a, the moisture absorbed by the skin-side layer 25a is easily moved from the low basis weight portion 25aL to the non-skin-side layer 25b. Therefore, the possibility that the moisture absorbed by the sheet member 25 continues to contact the wearer's skin can be reduced, and the discomfort and adverse effects on the wearer's skin can be reduced.

[0127] (Other Aspect 15) The sheet member 25 is characterized in that the density of the skin-side fibers 25as of the low basis weight portion 25aL is lower than the density of the skin-side fibers 25as of the predetermined basis weight portion 25ap.

[0128] Then, while improving the water absorption and the feel of the skin by the skin-side layer 25a, the moisture absorbed by the skin-side layer 25a is easily moved from the low basis weight portion 25aL to the non-skin-side layer 25b. Therefore, the possibility that the moisture absorbed by the sheet member 25 continues to contact the wearer's skin can be reduced, and the discomfort and adverse effects on the wearer's skin can be reduced.

[0129] (Other Aspect 16) The sheet member 25 is characterized in that at least a part of the non-skin-side fibers 25bs is present on the skin-side surface of the skin-side layer 25a.

[0130] Then, since it becomes easier to move the liquid absorbed from the skin-side layer 25a to the non-skin-side layer 25b, it is possible to reduce the risk that the moisture absorbed by the sheet member 25 continues to contact the wearer's skin, and it is possible to reduce discomfort and adverse effects on the wearer's skin.

[0131] (Other Aspect 17) The sheet member 25 is characterized in that no adhesive is provided on the sheet member 25.

[0132] Then, it is possible to reduce the risk that the sheet member 25 becomes hard and reduce the risk that the absorption of moisture is hindered by the adhesive, while suppressing the irritation to the skin of the wearer of the absorbent article 1 using this sheet member 25.

[0133] (Other Aspect 18) The sheet member 25 is characterized in that no portion obtained by squeezing a part of the sheet member 25 in the thickness direction is provided on the sheet member 25.

[0134] Then, it is possible to reduce the risk that the sheet member 25 becomes hard and suppress the irritation to the skin of the wearer of the absorbent article 1 using this sheet member 25.

[0135] (Other Aspect 19) The sheet member 25 is characterized in that it has a sheet pressing portion obtained by squeezing a part of the skin-side layer 25a in the thickness direction with the skin-side layer 25a.

[0136] Then, it is possible to reduce the risk that the skin-side layer 25a and the non-skin-side layer 25b separate.

[0137] (Other Aspect 20) The absorbent article 1 has a hydrophilic member having a higher hydrophilicity than the sheet member 25, and in the absorbent article 1, the sheet member 25 is used on the skin side in the thickness direction and at a position overlapping the hydrophilic member when viewed in the thickness direction with respect to the hydrophilic member.

[0138] Then, when the absorbent article 1 is worn, the moisture absorbed from the sheet member 25 side can be easily moved to the non-skin side, so that the discomfort and adverse effects caused by the continuous adhesion of moisture to the wearer's skin can be reduced.

[0139] (Other Aspect 21) The absorbent article 1 has a stretchable member, and in the absorbent article 1 in the deployed and stretched state, the sheet member 25 is used at a position overlapping at least a part of the stretchable member when viewed in the thickness direction. The sheet member 25 is characterized by this.

[0140] Then, while improving the feel of the absorbent article 1 by the sheet member 25, by forming wrinkles in at least a part of the sheet member 25, the air permeability of the sheet member 25 is improved, and the stuffiness and irritation to the skin when the absorbent article 1 is worn can be reduced.

[0141] (Other Aspect 22) The absorbent article 1 has a squeezing member having a squeezed portion in the thickness direction. In the absorbent article 1, the sheet member 25 is provided on the skin side of the squeezing member. When viewed in the thickness direction, the portion where the low basis weight portion 25aL and the non-skin side layer 25b overlap has a portion overlapping the squeezed portion of the squeezing member. The sheet member 25 is characterized by this.

[0142] Then, since the compression member has a portion with a high density due to squeezing, it becomes easier to move moisture from the sheet member 25 to the compression member by capillary action.

[0143] (Other Aspect 23) The sheet member 25 is characterized by having a portion where the skin-side fiber 25as and the non-skin side fiber 25bs are melt-bonded.

[0144] Then, the possibility of separation between the skin-side layer 25a and the non-skin side layer 25b can be reduced.

[0145] (Other Aspect 24) The non-skin-side fiber 25bs is a thermoplastic fiber, and in the absorbent article 1, in the thickness direction, it has an adjacent member provided at a position overlapping with the sheet member 25. The absorbent article includes a welded joint portion where the sheet member 25 and the adjacent member are welded and joined in the thickness direction. When the absorbent article 1 is viewed in the thickness direction, a portion where the low basis weight portion 25aL and the non-skin-side layer 25b overlap overlaps at least a part of the welded joint portion. The sheet member 25 is characterized in this way.

[0146] Then, the possibility of reducing the bonding strength of the welded joint portion can be reduced.

[0147] (Other aspect 25) The non-skin-side fiber 25bs is a thermoplastic fiber, and the absorbent article 1 has a joint portion where both left and right sides in the lateral direction of a pair of body circumferential portions 20, 30 are welded and joined. When viewed in the thickness direction, the sheet member 25 is used at a position overlapping at least a part of the joint portion. The joint portion overlaps at least a part of a portion where the low basis weight portion 25aL and the non-skin-side layer 25b overlap. The sheet member 25 is characterized in this way.

[0148] Then, the possibility of reducing the bonding strength of the joint portions on both left and right sides in the lateral direction of the pair of body circumferential portions 20, 30 can be reduced.

[0149] (Other aspect 26) The pair of body circumferential portions 20, 30 has a plurality of joint portions intermittently in the vertical direction, and in the vertical direction, the distance between the centers of adjacent joint portions is longer than the distance between the centers of the low basis weight portions 25aL. The sheet member is characterized in this way.

[0150] Then, while making it easier for the moisture absorbed by the skin-side layer 25a to move from the low basis weight portion 25aL to the non-skin-side layer 25b, the possibility of reducing the bonding strength of the joint portions on both left and right sides in the lateral direction of the pair of body circumferential portions 20, 30 can be reduced.

[0151] (Other aspect 27) The joint portions are provided intermittently in the vertical direction. The sheet member 25 has a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction orthogonal to the thickness direction, and the area of the region defined by the straight line connecting the centers of the four low basis weight portions 25aL adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction is smaller than the maximum area of the joint portions. The sheet member 25 is characterized by this.

[0152] Then, compared with the case where the area of the region defined by the straight line connecting the centers of the four low basis weight portions 25aL adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction is made larger than the maximum area of the joint portions, it becomes easier to provide a wider region where the low basis weight portions 25aL and the joint portions overlap when viewed in the thickness direction, and it becomes easier to increase the joint strength at the joint portions.

[0153] (Other Aspect 28) The joint portions are provided intermittently in the vertical direction. The sheet member 25 has a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction orthogonal to the thickness direction, and the area of the region defined by the straight line connecting the centers of the four low basis weight portions 25aL adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction is larger than the minimum area of the joint portions. The sheet member 25 is characterized by this.

[0154] Then, compared with the case where the area of the region defined by the straight line connecting the centers of the four low basis weight portions 25aL adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction is made larger than the maximum area of the joint portions, by the region where the low basis weight portions 25aL and the joint portions overlap becoming wider when viewed in the thickness direction, it is possible to reduce the risk that the joint strength becomes excessively strong and it becomes difficult to separate the ventral body circumferential portion 20 and the dorsal body circumferential portion 30 after use of the absorbent article 1.

[0155] (Other Aspect 29) An absorbent article 1 having an absorber 10 and a sheet member 25 provided on the skin side of the absorber 10, wherein the sheet member 25 has a skin side layer 25a capable of contacting the skin of the wearer and a non-skin side layer 25b provided on the non-skin side of the skin side layer 25a, and the hydrophilicity of the skin side fibers 25as which are the base fibers of the skin side layer 25a is higher than the hydrophilicity of the non-skin side fibers 25bs which are the base fibers of the non-skin side layer 25b. The skin side layer 25a has a predetermined basis weight portion 25ap provided with skin side fibers 25as of a predetermined basis weight and a low basis weight portion 25aL having a lower basis weight of the skin side fibers 25as than the predetermined basis weight portion 25ap. When viewed in the thickness direction, the absorbent article is characterized by having a portion where the predetermined basis weight portion 25ap and the non-skin side layer 25b overlap and a portion where the low basis weight portion 25aL and the non-skin side layer 25b overlap.

[0156] Then, while improving the water absorption and the feel of the sheet member 25 by the skin side layer 25a having a high hydrophilicity, the moisture absorbed by the skin side layer 25a can be easily moved from the low basis weight portion 25aL to the non-skin side of the sheet member 25. Therefore, the risk that the moisture absorbed by the sheet member 25 continues to contact the skin of the wearer can be reduced, and the discomfort and adverse effects on the skin of the wearer can be reduced.

[0157] ===Others=== The above-described embodiments are for facilitating the understanding of the present invention and are not for limiting the interpretation of the present invention. It goes without saying that the present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

[0158] In the above-described embodiments and modifications, the sheet portion 25(35) is provided on both the ventral body circumferential portion 20 and the dorsal body circumferential portion 30, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the sheet portion 25(35) may be provided only on one of the ventral body circumferential portion 20 and the dorsal body circumferential portion 30.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0159] 1 Pant-type disposable diaper (absorbent article) 10 Absorbent main body, 10e Upper end 11 Absorbent core 12 Top sheet 13 Back sheet 14 Exterior sheet 15 Elastic member around the legs 18 Exterior body 20 Abdominal torso part 20e Upper end 21 Inner layer sheet 22 Abdominal outer layer sheet, 22r Folded-back part 23 Torso elastic member 25 Sheet part 25a Cotton layer (skin side layer) 25aL Low basis weight part, 25aL1 Low basis weight part, 25aL2 Low basis weight part 25ap Predetermined basis weight part 25as Cotton fiber 25b Non-skin side layer, 25bs Non-skin side fiber 25H Arrangement area 25UP Upper side arrangement area 30 Dorsal torso part 32 Dorsal outer layer sheet, 32r Folded-back part 33 Torso elastic member 34 Elastic member around the hind legs 35 Sheet part 40 Lower thigh part 50x Joint part 50z Non-joint part

Claims

1. having a vertical direction and a thickness direction that intersect each other, an absorbent article having an absorbent body, a ventral body circumferential portion located on the ventral side of the wearer, and a dorsal body circumferential portion located on the dorsal side of the wearer, at least one of the ventral body circumferential portion and the dorsal body circumferential portion includes a cotton layer having cotton fibers as a base material, and a sheet portion is provided at least partially above the absorbent body in the vertical direction, When a region of the sheet portion disposed above the absorbent body in the vertical direction is defined as an upper disposed region, the upper disposed region, a joint portion where the upper disposed region and an adjacent sheet member adjacent to the non-skin side in the thickness direction are joined by welding or adhesion, and a non-joint portion where the upper disposed region and the adjacent sheet member are not joined by welding or adhesion are provided, An absorbent article characterized by the above.

2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, in the unfolded state and the stretched state, the total area of the non-joint portions when the upper disposed region is viewed in plan is larger than the total area of the joint portions An absorbent article characterized by the above.

3. The absorbent article according to claim 2, in the vertical direction, the total length of the joint portions is longer than the total length of the non-joint portions An absorbent article characterized by the above.

4. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, the sheet portion has a non-skin side layer located on the non-skin side in the thickness direction of the cotton layer, the average fiber length of the non-skin side fibers, which are the base fibers of the non-skin side layer, is longer than the average fiber length of the cotton fibers An absorbent article characterized by the above.

5. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sheet portion has a non-skin side layer located on the non-skin side in the thickness direction of the cotton layer, the thermal conductivity of the cotton fiber is lower than the thermal conductivity of the non-skin side fiber which is the base fiber of the non-skin side layer Absorbent article, characterized in that.

6. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sheet portion has a non-skin side layer located on the non-skin side in the thickness direction of the cotton layer, the hydrophilicity of the cotton fiber which is the base fiber of the cotton layer is higher than the hydrophilicity of the non-skin side fiber which is the base fiber of the non-skin side layer Absorbent article, characterized in that.

7. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ratio of the cotton fiber in the sheet portion is less than 50% by mass, Absorbent article, characterized in that.

8. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cotton layer has a predetermined basis weight portion provided with the cotton fiber of a predetermined basis weight and a low basis weight portion having a lower basis weight of the cotton fiber than the predetermined basis weight portion Absorbent article, characterized in that.

9. The absorbent article according to claim 8, wherein it has a left-right direction orthogonal to the up-down direction and the thickness direction, at least one of the ventral body circumference portion and the dorsal body circumference portion has an inner layer sheet, an outer layer sheet disposed on the non-skin side rather than the inner layer sheet, and a plurality of body circumference elastic members disposed at intervals in the up-down direction between the inner layer sheet and the outer layer sheet and stretchable in the left-right direction, in the cotton layer, a plurality of the low basis weight portions are provided at intervals in the up-down direction, The minimum value of the vertical center - to - center distance between the low - basis - weight portions adjacent in the vertical direction is smaller than the minimum value of the vertical center - to - center distance between the circumferential elastic members adjacent in the vertical direction. An absorbent article, characterized in that.

10. The absorbent article according to claim 9, wherein the sheet portion is a sheet member disposed closer to the skin side than the inner layer sheet. An absorbent article, characterized in that.

11. The absorbent article according to claim 9, wherein the sheet portion is disposed spaced downward from at least one of the upper ends in the vertical direction of the ventral circumferential portion and the dorsal circumferential portion, when the region from the upper end of the ventral circumferential portion or the dorsal circumferential portion where the sheet portion is provided to the upper end of the sheet portion in the vertical direction is defined as a non - disposed region, and the region from the upper end to the lower end of the sheet portion of the ventral circumferential portion or the dorsal circumferential portion where the sheet portion is provided in the vertical direction is defined as a disposed region, the portion closest to the skin side in the non - disposed region contains hydrophobic fibers, the magnitude of the force required to extend the non - disposed region of unit width in the vertical direction by unit length in the left - right direction is greater than the magnitude of the force required to extend the disposed region of unit width in the vertical direction by unit length in the left - right direction. An absorbent article, characterized in that.

12. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the vertical direction, the length of the sheet portion is half or less of the length of the ventral circumferential portion or the dorsal circumferential portion. An absorbent article, characterized in that.

13. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein At least one of the ventral body circumferential portion and the dorsal body circumferential portion has an inner layer sheet, an outer layer sheet disposed on the non-skin side of the inner layer sheet, and a folded portion where the upper end of the outer layer sheet in the vertical direction is folded back to the skin side. In the vertical direction, the length of the sheet portion is longer than the length of the folded portion. An absorbent article characterized by the above.

14. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, At least one of the ventral body circumferential portion and the dorsal body circumferential portion has an inner layer sheet, an outer layer sheet disposed on the non-skin side of the inner layer sheet, and a folded portion where the upper end of the outer layer sheet in the vertical direction is folded back to the skin side. In the vertical direction, the length of the sheet portion is shorter than the length of the folded portion. An absorbent article characterized by the above.

15. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, In at least one of the ventral body circumferential portion and the dorsal body circumferential portion, the sheet portion straddles the upper end of the absorbent body in the vertical direction in the vertical direction. An absorbent article characterized by the above.

16. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, An absorbent article characterized in that no hook-and-loop fastener is provided between the sheet portion and the adjacent sheet member in the thickness direction.

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