Absorbent article set, outer type absorbent article, and inner type absorbent article

Abstract

To allow a care giver who is inexperienced in exchange of an inner type absorbent article, to properly erect three-dimensional gatherings and facilitate attachment of the inner type absorbent article to an outer type absorbent article, for reducing a work load applied to the care giver.SOLUTION: There is provided an absorbent article set 10 including: an outer type absorbent article 20; and an inner type absorbent article 40. The outer type absorbent article 20 has: three-dimensional gatherings 26; and loop members 27 arranged on the three-dimensional gatherings 26. The interval between root parts of the three-dimensional gatherings 26 is 180 mm or more and 270 mm or less. The length from the root part to the tip 31b of the three-dimensional gathering 26 is 30 mm or more and 85 mm or less. The inner type absorbent article 40 has: three-dimensional gatherings 44; and fixing bands 45 arranged on the three-dimensional gatherings 44. The interval of the root parts of the three-dimensional gatherings 44 is 100 mm or more and 250 mm or less, and the length from the root part to the tip of the three-dimensional gathering 44 is 20 mm or more and 50 mm or less.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an absorbent article set, an outer absorbent article, and an inner absorbent article.

Background Art

[0002] Due to the increase in the elderly population, the number of care recipients who cannot enter nursing facilities is increasing. For this reason, the number of cases where family members care for care recipients at home is increasing. In the case of assisting with excretion, when an assistant who is not used to wearing disposable diapers changes the diaper, it often happens that the diaper cannot be properly worn, resulting in leakage, and the burden of increased work such as cleaning and washing associated with this has become a social problem.

[0003] For bedridden care recipients, a tape-fastened absorbent article is used as an outer, and when the care recipient can walk a little and toilet induction is possible, a pant-type absorbent article is used. From the viewpoints of economy and absorbency selectivity, it is common to use an inner pad in combination inside the absorbent article as the outer. The inner pad is selected according to the wearing time depending on the replacement interval and the amount of excretion. A good example is to wear a small urine pad during the day and a large wide pad at night. It is important to use these inner pads at an appropriate position and in an appropriate state inside the absorbent article as the outer. In particular, leakage is likely to occur if the three-dimensional gathers cannot be firmly erected.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a displacement prevention structure for an absorbent inner article. This inner article is referred to as a pad having a crotch corresponding area, a front corresponding area, and a rear corresponding area, and includes a liquid-permeable surface sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, and a core enclosed between these two sheets. On the back sheet facing the outer article, front and rear displacement prevention portions using a hot melt adhesive are provided. The inner article is detachable from the inner surface of an outer article such as briefs or diapers by both displacement prevention portions.

[0005] Patent Document 2 discloses so-called outer absorbent articles such as a taped pant type using an inner pad or a pant type that is three-dimensionally formed in advance. In this absorbent article, a recessed portion is provided at the central portion in the width direction of the absorber around the leg portion, and by attaching an inner pad to this recessed portion, displacement of the inner pad is prevented. Further, by disposing a first elastic body on the flap portions formed on both sides in the width direction of the absorber, the absorber portion around the leg is brought into close contact with the wearer's skin. Further, by disposing a second elastic body disposed along the longitudinal direction between the absorber portion around the leg and the back sheet, even when the inner pad is not used, the absorber portion around the leg is brought into close contact with the crotch portion of the wearer.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] The inner article (inner type absorbent article) described in Patent Document 1 is to securely fix the inner type absorbent article to an outer type absorbent article such as briefs or diapers and prevent the anti-displacement from peeling off due to turning up from the corners, but it is difficult to keep the three-dimensional gathers in an erected state, and it does not reduce the work burden on caregivers.

[0008] Further, the absorbent article (outer type absorbent article) described in Patent Document 2 takes into consideration preventing displacement of the inner type absorbent article inside the outer type absorbent article, but it is difficult to keep the three-dimensional gathers in an erected state, and it does not reduce the work burden on caregivers.

[0009] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an absorbent article set, an outer absorbent article, and an inner absorbent article that enable a caregiver who is not used to replacing inner absorbent articles to easily attach an inner absorbent article to an outer absorbent article with appropriate three-dimensional gathers standing up, thereby reducing the caregiver's work burden.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] To solve the above problems, a first aspect of the present invention is an absorbent article set including an outer absorbent article configured by a front body part, a crotch part, and a back body part and used as an outer, and an inner absorbent article disposed at least in the crotch part of the outer absorbent article and used as an inner detachable from the outer absorbent article. The outer absorbent article includes left and right outer side three-dimensional gathers disposed on both sides in the width direction of the skin side surface and extending in the longitudinal direction, and outer side fixing means provided on the left and right outer side three-dimensional gathers. When the left and right outer side three-dimensional gathers are erected, the interval in the width direction between the base parts is 180 mm or more and 270 mm or less, and the length from the base part to the tip of the left and right outer side three-dimensional gathers is 30 mm or more and 85 mm or less. The inner absorbent article includes left and right inner side three-dimensional gathers disposed on both sides in the width direction of the skin side surface and extending in the longitudinal direction, and inner side fixing means provided on the left and right inner side three-dimensional gathers and detachable from the outer side fixing means. The inner absorbent article is disposed between the left and right outer side three-dimensional gathers of the outer absorbent article. When the left and right inner side three-dimensional gathers are erected, the interval in the width direction between the base parts is 100 mm or more and 250 mm or less, and the length from the base part to the tip of the left and right inner side three-dimensional gathers is 20 mm or more and 50 mm or less.

[0011] The second aspect of the present invention is the absorbent article set of the first aspect, wherein the outer side fixing means is one of a hook member and a loop member of a hook-and-loop fastener, and is disposed at the longitudinal center of the outer surface in the width direction when the left and right outer three-dimensional gathers are erected. The inner side fixing means is disposed at the longitudinal center of the left and right inner three-dimensional gathers and has a belt-like portion extending outward from the tips of the left and right inner three-dimensional gathers, and the other member of the hook member and the loop member provided at the tip of the belt-like portion.

[0012] The third aspect of the present invention is the absorbent article set of the second aspect, wherein the longitudinal length of the one member is 60 mm or more and 100 mm or less, the widthwise length of the one member is 30 mm or more and 50 mm or less, the protruding length of the belt-like portion protruding from the tips of the left and right inner three-dimensional gathers is 40 mm or more and 80 mm or less, and the belt width of the belt-like portion is 20 mm or more and 35 mm or less.

[0013] The fourth aspect of the present invention is an outer absorbent article used in the absorbent article set according to any one of the first to third aspects.

[0014] The fifth aspect of the present invention is an inner absorbent article used in the absorbent article set according to any one of the first to third aspects.

Advantages of the Invention

[0015] According to the present disclosure, even a caregiver who is not used to replacing the inner absorbent article can easily attach the inner absorbent article to the outer absorbent article with the three-dimensional gathers properly erected, reducing the work burden on the caregiver.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Hereinafter, a tape-fastened absorbent article according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0018] In this specification, the wearing of the outer absorbent article and the inner absorbent article of the absorbent article set (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "each absorbent article") means a state in which the outer absorbent article and the inner absorbent article are worn together on the body regardless of before, during, and after the absorption of body fluids. Also, the "width direction" of each component member of each absorbent article is the direction along the left and right of the wearer when worn, and is the direction along arrow Y in the figure. Further, the "longitudinal direction" of each component member of each absorbent article means a direction intersecting (orthogonal) with the width direction, and is the direction along arrow X in the figure. Also, the "thickness direction" of each component member of each absorbent article means a direction intersecting (orthogonal) with both the longitudinal direction and the width direction, and is the direction in which each component member is laminated, and is the direction along arrow Z in the figure. Also, the "front side" means the direction that becomes the ventral side of the wearer when each absorbent article is worn, and the "rear side" means the direction that becomes the dorsal side of the wearer. Also, the "skin side" of each component member of each absorbent article means the direction facing the skin of the wearer when each absorbent article is worn among the thickness directions, and the "non-skin side" means the direction opposite to the skin side among the thickness directions. Also, body fluids refer to liquids discharged from the body to the outside, such as urine, blood, and moisture in soft feces.

[0019] <Absorbent article set> FIG. 1 is a plan view from the skin side of an absorbent article set according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, a state in which the three-dimensional gathers are raised is shown.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the absorbent article set 10 according to the present embodiment includes an outer absorbent article 20 used as an outer layer, and an inner absorbent article 40 used as an inner layer that is detachable from the outer absorbent article 20. Both the outer absorbent article 20 and the inner absorbent article 40 are each provided with fixing means (outer side fixing means and inner side fixing means) for fixing the respective three-dimensional gathers to each other. In the absorbent article set 10, after the inner absorbent article 40 absorbs body fluid, the inner absorbent article 40 after body fluid absorption can be removed from the outer absorbent article 20 and replaced with a new inner absorbent article 40 for use. In the following description, first, the outer absorbent article 20 will be described, and then the inner absorbent article 40 will be described.

[0021] <Outer absorbent article> FIG. 3 is a plan view of the outer absorbent article according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the skin side. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion V in FIG. 3. Note that in FIG. 4, a state where the three-dimensional gathers are erected is illustrated. Also, each figure does not define the size relationship of the constituent members of the outer absorbent article, and the dimensions of each constituent member can be appropriately selected from a wide range according to the use of the outer absorbent article, the age of the wearer to be used, and the like.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the outer absorbent article 20 according to the present embodiment is mainly worn as an outer layer with the inner absorbent article 40 disposed inside (see FIGS. 1 and 2). That is, the outer absorbent article 20 of the present embodiment is an outer absorbent article used in combination with the inner absorbent article 40.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 3, the outer absorbent article 20 is composed of a front body part 20F located on the ventral side of the wearer during wearing, a crotch part 20M located on the wearer's thigh, and a back body part 20B located on the dorsal side of the wearer, and the front body part 20F, the crotch part 20M, and the back body part 20B are continuously provided in the longitudinal direction (X direction). The outer absorbent article 20 of the present embodiment is a tape-fastening type absorbent article, and on both sides in the width direction of the back body part 20B, there are provided left and right side flaps 21 extending outward in the width direction from the back body part 20B, and left and right fastening tapes 22 extending outward in the width direction from the left and right side flaps 21. Further, on the non-skin side surface of the front body part 20F, a target tape (not shown) to which the fastening tape 22 can be fastened is provided. When wearing the outer absorbent article 20, the left and right fastening tapes 22 of the back body part 20B are fastened to the target tape of the front body part 20F for wearing. In the present embodiment, the outer absorbent article 20 is a tape-fastening type absorbent article, but it is not limited thereto, and the outer absorbent article 20 may be a pants-type absorbent article.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the outer absorbent article 20 includes a liquid-permeable topsheet 23 disposed on the skin side, a liquid-impermeable backsheet 24 disposed on the non-skin side, an absorber 25 disposed between the topsheet 23 and the backsheet 24, left and right three-dimensional gathers (outer three-dimensional gathers) 26 disposed on both sides in the width direction of the skin side surface, and loop members (outer fixing means) 27 of surface fasteners provided on the left and right three-dimensional gathers 26. The topsheet 23 and the backsheet 24 of the present embodiment are integrally formed from the back body part 20B through the crotch part 20M to the back body part 20B, and constitute the outer shape of the outer absorbent article 20 as a diaper.

[0025] In addition, in this embodiment, the outer shape of the disposable diaper 20 of the outer-type absorbent article is constituted by the topsheet 23 and the backsheet 24, but it is not limited thereto. For example, an exterior body that constitutes the outer shape of the disposable diaper 20 of the outer-type absorbent article may be provided, and an absorbent main body constituted by the topsheet 23, the backsheet 24, and the absorber 25 may be fixed to the skin side surface of the crotch portion 20M of the exterior body. The exterior belt may be constituted by an exterior nonwoven fabric sheet described later.

[0026] (Topsheet) The topsheet 23 may be formed from a base material having liquid permeability that allows body fluid to move to the absorber 25. As an example of the base material, for example, nonwoven fabrics such as thermal bond nonwoven fabrics, composite nonwoven fabrics in which a thermal bond nonwoven fabric / spunbond nonwoven fabric is laminated, apertured films such as apertured polyethylene films, polyethylene foams, foamed films such as urethane foams, or composite sheets in which these are laminated can be mentioned. The shape of the topsheet 23 is not particularly limited, but it may be a shape that covers the absorber 25 in order to guide body fluid to the absorber 25 without leakage.

[0027] The topsheet 23 may be embossed or perforated on the surface in order to improve liquid permeability. As a method for performing these embossing and perforating processes, known methods can be implemented without limitation. In addition, in order to reduce irritation to the skin, the topsheet 23 may contain lotion, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory component, pH adjuster, antibacterial agent, moisturizing agent, etc.

[0028] (Backsheet) The backsheet 24 may be formed using a liquid-impermeable base material so that there is no leakage of body fluid held by the absorber 25 to the non-skin side, and may be formed from materials such as a resin film or a composite sheet formed by laminating a resin film and a non-woven fabric. The non-woven fabric used for the composite sheet is not particularly limited in its manufacturing method. For example, it includes composite non-woven fabrics formed by laminating a plurality of like and / or different non-woven fabrics such as spunbond non-woven fabric, meltblown non-woven fabric, spunbond non-woven fabric / meltblown non-woven fabric, and spunbond non-woven fabric / meltblown non-woven fabric / spunbond non-woven fabric, and these composite materials. Examples of the resin film include polyester, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene, polypropylene, and composite films of polyethylene and polypropylene.

[0029] In addition, it is preferable to provide the backsheet 24 with air permeability in order to prevent stuffiness during wearing. In order to provide the backsheet 24 with air permeability, for example, a filler may be blended into the resin film of the base material, or the backsheet 24 may be embossed. Examples of the filler include calcium carbonate, and its blending method can be carried out without limitation using known methods. For example, a resin and a filler are kneaded, the obtained kneaded product is formed into a film shape, and a porous (air-permeable) resin film can be obtained by removing the filler from the obtained film.

[0030] (Exterior non-woven fabric sheet) An exterior non-woven fabric sheet may be provided on the non-skin side of the backsheet 24. The exterior non-woven fabric sheet may be composed of one sheet or may be a plurality of sheets laminated. Examples of the exterior non-woven fabric sheet include non-woven fabrics such as thermal bond non-woven fabric, air-through non-woven fabric, and spunbond non-woven fabric, preferably air-through non-woven fabric or spunbond non-woven fabric, and non-woven fabrics made of thermoplastic resins such as polypropylene, polyester, and polyethylene can be used.

[0031] (Absorber) The absorber 25 is a member capable of mainly absorbing and holding body fluids, and includes a body fluid absorption material. Preferably, it includes absorbent fibers as a base material and a body fluid absorption material held by the absorbent fibers.

[0032] (Absorbent fibers) The absorbent fibers as the base material of the absorber 25 are not particularly limited as long as they are generally used in absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, diapers, and urine pads. For example, they can be formed from materials such as fluff pulp, cotton, rayon, acetate, tissue, absorbent paper, and hydrophilic non-woven fabric. Among these, from the perspective of absorbency, it is preferable to use fluff pulp. Examples of fluff pulp include those obtained by defibrating wood pulp, synthetic fibers, polymer fibers, non-wood pulp, etc. into a cotton-like state.

[0033] (Body fluid absorption material) The body fluid absorption material of the absorber 25 is not particularly limited as long as it can absorb and hold body fluids. For example, super absorbent polymers (SAP) can be mentioned. Examples of SAP include polyacrylate salts, polyaspartate salts, (starch-acrylic acid) graft copolymers, (acrylic acid-vinyl alcohol) copolymers, (isobutylene-maleic anhydride) copolymers and their saponified products. Among these, from the perspective of the absorption amount per unit weight, polyacrylate salts are preferable, alkali metal polyacrylate salts are more preferable, and sodium polyacrylate is even more preferable. SAP can be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds.

[0034] SAP is used, for example, in the form of particles, fibers, etc. Preferably, it is used in the form of particles from the perspective of ease of handling. At this time, by avoiding the use of fine powder SAP with poor fluidity as a powder and using SAP having a median particle diameter, the basic performance related to absorption can be enhanced, and the rough touch generated by the hardening of the absorber 25 can be reduced.

[0035] In the absorber 25, the form of the absorbent fibers and the SAP may be one formed by mixing SAP particles in the absorbent fibers, or may be a SAP sheet in which SAP particles are fixed between the absorbent fibers. Further, as another form of the absorber 25, an absorbent sheet including a plurality of hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics and SAP fixed between the hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics can also be used. Further, from the viewpoint of preventing the dropout of the SAP particles and stabilizing the shape of the absorber 25, it is preferable to wrap the absorber 25 with a carrier sheet. The base material of the carrier sheet may be any material having hydrophilicity, and examples thereof include hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics such as tissue, absorbent paper, and airlaid nonwoven fabric. When the absorber 25 includes a plurality of carrier sheets, the base materials of the carrier sheets may be the same or different.

[0036] The absorber 25 extends longitudinally from the front body part 20F through the crotch part 20M to the back body part 20B. The absorber 25 of the present embodiment is formed in an hourglass shape in which the front body part 20F and the back body part 20B are longer in the width direction than the crotch part 20M. Note that the shape of the absorber 25 is not limited to the hourglass shape, and may be, for example, a rectangular shape or the like.

[0037] (Three-dimensional gathers) The left and right three-dimensional gathers 26 are members provided to prevent lateral leakage of body fluids excreted by the wearer, and are arranged on both sides in the width direction of the skin side surface of the outer absorbent article 20, and extend longitudinally from the front body part 20F through the crotch part 20M to the back body part 20B. The left and right three-dimensional gathers 26 of the present embodiment include a water-repellent and / or waterproof gather sheet 26a and an elastic stretch member 26b. Since the left and right three-dimensional gathers 26 are provided symmetrically with respect to the outer absorbent article 20, hereinafter, only one of them will be described, and the description of the other will be omitted.

[0038] The gather sheet 26a is a sheet having water repellency and / or waterproofness, and is composed of, for example, a non-woven fabric. As the non-woven fabric for the gather sheet 26a, a water-repellent and / or waterproof (liquid-impermeable) non-woven fabric formed of hydrophobic fibers can be used without particular limitation. Examples thereof include a spunbond non-woven fabric, a meltblown non-woven fabric, and a composite non-woven fabric (SMS non-woven fabric) which is a spunbond non-woven fabric / meltblown non-woven fabric / spunbond non-woven fabric laminate.

[0039] The gather sheet 26a is disposed on both sides in the width direction of the skin side surface of the outer absorbent article 20, and extends longitudinally from the front body part 20F to the back body part 20B via the crotch part 20M. An outer region 28 in the width direction of the gather sheet 26a that is outside a predetermined position (the position of the root part 31a described later) is fixed to an outer region in the width direction of the skin side surface of the outer absorbent article 20. For fixing the gather sheet 26a, methods such as a hot melt adhesive and heat fusion are used. In the present embodiment, the outer region 28 of the gather sheet 26a is formed to protrude outward in the width direction from the top sheet 23, and an outer end portion in the width direction that protrudes outward in the width direction from the top sheet 23 of the outer region 28 is fixed to the back sheet 24, and an intermediate portion in the width direction is fixed to the top sheet 23 (see FIG. 4). Note that the fixing position of the gather sheet 26a is not limited to the above, and it is sufficient that it is fixed at least to an outer region in the width direction of the skin side surface of the outer absorbent article 20.

[0040] In the inner region 29 in the width direction of the gather sheet 26a, which is closer to the above-mentioned predetermined position (the position of the base portion 31a, which will be described later) than the above-mentioned predetermined position, both end portions in the longitudinal direction (the portions indicated by oblique lines in FIG. 3) are fixed to the top sheet 23 and function as the end seal portion 30. The intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction (the region 31 between the end seal portions 30 on both sides in the longitudinal direction) of the inner region 29 of the gather sheet 26a is a stand-upable region 31 that is not fixed to the top sheet 23 and has the essential function of the three-dimensional gather 26. That is, the region 31 between the end seal portions 30 of the gather sheet 26a has an outer base portion 31a in the width direction fixed to the top sheet 23 and a tip (free end) 31b in the width direction on the inner side, and functions as the three-dimensional gather 26.

[0041] The elastic expansion and contraction member 26b is disposed along the longitudinal direction in the vicinity of the tip (free end) 31b on the inner side in the width direction of the gather sheet 26a, imparts elasticity and stand-up property to the free end, and enables the tip (free end) 31b of the three-dimensional gather 26 and the vicinity region thereof to be deformed according to the body shape of the wearer. As the elastic expansion and contraction member 26b, for example, a filamentous, string-like, or belt-like member made of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, polyurethane, etc. can be appropriately used.

[0042] (Dimensions of the three-dimensional gathers on the left and right) When the left and right three-dimensional gathers 26 are erected, the widthwise interval W1 between the base portions 31a is 180 mm or more and 270 mm or less. A space 32 (hereinafter referred to as the "inner storage space 32") in which the inner absorbent article 40 can be disposed is defined between the left and right three-dimensional gathers 26 in the erected state. That is, the length in the width direction of the inner storage space 32 is 180 mm or more and 270 mm or less. If the widthwise interval W1 between the base portions 31a of the left and right three-dimensional gathers 26 is made narrower than 180 mm, it becomes difficult to store the inner absorbent article 40 (particularly a large wide pad) in the inner storage space 32. On the other hand, if the widthwise interval W1 between the base portions 31a of the left and right three-dimensional gathers 26 is made wider than 270 mm, the length in the width direction of the crotch portion 20M of the outer absorbent article 20 also becomes longer, resulting in a deterioration in the wearing feeling. In addition, an excessive margin is created in the space (inner storage space 32) in which the inner absorbent article 40 fits, and there is a risk that leakage may easily occur due to the inner absorbent article 40 shifting. Note that both longitudinal sides of the inner storage space 32 are defined by the end seal portions 30.

[0043] The length W2 in the width direction from the base portion 31a to the tip portion 31b of the left and right three-dimensional gathers 26 is 30 mm or more and 85 mm or less. That is, the height when the left and right three-dimensional gathers 26 are erected is 30 mm or more and 85 mm or less. If the length W2 from the base portion 31a to the tip portion 31b of the left and right three-dimensional gathers 26 is made shorter than 30 mm, there is a risk that the holding property during storage of the inner absorbent article 40 and the height of the barrier in the event of urine leakage will be insufficient. On the other hand, if the length W2 from the base portion 31a to the tip portion 31b of the left and right three-dimensional gathers 26 is made longer than 85 mm, the length becomes excessive for the function, making it difficult to adhere at an appropriate position around the legs, so there is a risk that body fluid leakage may easily occur, and the wearing feeling also deteriorates. In addition, since the length becomes excessive for the function, there is a risk that the manufacturing cost (material cost) will increase.

[0044] (Outer-side fixing means) As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the outer-side fixing means (in this embodiment, the loop member 27 that constitutes the hook-and-loop fastener) is a portion that functions as a displacement stopper for the inner-type absorbent article 40 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) disposed in the inner storage space 32, and is provided on the left and right three-dimensional gathers 26. As will be described later, the inner-type absorbent article 40 is provided with an inner-side fixing means (in this embodiment, the fixing band 45 having the hook member 47 that constitutes the hook-and-loop fastener) that can be attached to and detached from the outer-side fixing means.

[0045] The outer-side fixing means of this embodiment is the loop member (one member) 27 among the hook member and the loop member that constitute the hook-and-loop fastener, and is arranged at one location on each side (two locations in total on the left and right sides) at the longitudinal center of the outer surface in the width direction (the outer surface of the erectable region 31) when the left and right three-dimensional gathers 26 are erected. Arranging at the longitudinal center of the three-dimensional gather 26 means arranging so as to include the longitudinal center of the three-dimensional gather 26 (the longitudinal center of the erectable region 31). In this embodiment, the outer-side fixing means (loop member 27) is provided so as to be accommodated inside the width direction of the base portion 31a of the three-dimensional gather 26, but is not limited thereto, and may extend to the outside in the width direction beyond the base portion 31a. Further, the loop member 27 of this embodiment is formed in a rectangular shape, but the shape of the loop member 27 is not limited thereto. Further, in this embodiment, the outer-side fixing means is the loop member of the hook-and-loop fastener, but is not limited thereto, and may be the hook member of the hook-and-loop fastener.

[0046] (Dimensions of the outer-side fixing means) As shown in FIG. 5, the longitudinal length L1 of the loop member 27 is preferably 60 mm or more and 100 mm or less. Further, the widthwise length W3 of the loop member 27 is preferably 30 mm or more and 50 mm or less. By setting the dimensions of the loop member 27 within the above range, it is easy to attach the hook member 47 of the fixing band 45, which will be described later, as the inner-side fixing means of the inner absorbent article 40. Further, by setting the dimensions of the loop member 27 within the above range, when the left and right three-dimensional gathers 26 of the outer absorbent article 20 and the three-dimensional gathers 44 (see FIG. 2) of the inner absorbent article 40 are fixed as described later, sufficient adhesiveness for assisting the standing property of the three-dimensional gathers 26 and 44 can be ensured. Note that the dimensions of the outer-side fixing means are not limited to the above.

[0047] <Inner absorbent article> FIG. 6 is a plan view of an inner absorbent article according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the skin side. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VII-VII of FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of the fixing band, where (a) shows an enlarged state of part V of FIG. 6, and (b) shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIIIb-VIIIb of (a). In FIG. 6, one of the fixing bands (the left side as viewed in the figure) is extended inward in the width direction, and the other fixing band (the right side as viewed in the figure) is folded back outward in the width direction. Further, in FIG. 7, the three-dimensional gathers are raised and the left and right fixing bands are extended. Each figure does not define the size relationship of the constituent members of the inner absorbent article, and the dimensions of each constituent member can be appropriately selected from a wide range according to the use of the inner absorbent article, the age of the wearer to be used, and the like.

[0048] The inner absorbent article 40 is disposed on the skin side of at least the crotch portion 20M of the outer absorbent article 20 and is used as an inner that is detachable from the outer absorbent article 20. Examples of the inner absorbent article 40 include disposable urine pads, light incontinence pads, and the like. The inner absorbent article 40 of the present embodiment is disposed on the topsheet 23 of the inner storage space 32 of the outer absorbent article 20 and is attached to and used with the outer absorbent article 20 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

[0049] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the inner absorbent article 40 includes a liquid-permeable topsheet 41 on the skin side, a liquid-impermeable backsheet 42 on the non-skin side, an absorber 43 disposed between the topsheet 41 and the backsheet 42, left and right three-dimensional gathers (inner-side three-dimensional gathers) 44, and fixing bands (inner-side fixing means) 45 provided on the left and right three-dimensional gathers 44. In the present embodiment, the shape of the inner absorbent article 40 is a hourglass shape, but it is not limited thereto, and various other shapes such as a rectangular shape and a oval shape can be applied.

[0050] (Topsheet) The topsheet 41 may be formed of a base material having liquid permeability such that body fluid moves to the absorber 43. The shape of the topsheet 41 is not particularly limited, but it may be a shape that covers the absorber 43 in order to guide the body fluid to the absorber 43 without leakage. Further, the topsheet 41 may be embossed or perforated on the surface to improve liquid permeability. Note that the description of the base material of the topsheet 41 of the inner absorbent article 40 is the same as that of the base material of the topsheet 23 of the outer absorbent article 20 described above, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

[0051] (Backsheet) The backsheet 42 may be formed using a liquid-impermeable base material so that there is no leakage of the body fluid held by the absorber 43 to the non-skin side. Further, it is preferable to provide the backsheet 42 with air permeability in order to prevent stuffiness during wearing. Note that the description of the base material of the backsheet 42 of the inner-type absorbent article 40 is the same as that of the base material of the backsheet 24 of the outer-type absorbent article 20 described above, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

[0052] (Absorber) The absorber 43 is a member mainly capable of absorbing and holding body fluid, includes a body fluid absorption material, and preferably includes absorbent fibers as a base material and a body fluid absorption material held by the absorbent fibers. Note that the shape of the absorber 43 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a rectangular shape, an oval shape, and an hourglass shape. Note that the description of the absorbent fibers and the body fluid absorption material of the absorber 43 of the inner-type absorbent article 40 is the same as that of the absorber 25 of the outer-type absorbent article 20 described above, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

[0053] (Three-dimensional gathers) The left and right three-dimensional gathers 44 are members provided to prevent lateral leakage of the body fluid excreted by the wearer, and are arranged on both sides in the width direction of the skin side surface of the inner-type absorbent article 40 and extend in the longitudinal direction. The left and right three-dimensional gathers 44 of the present embodiment include a water-repellent and / or waterproof gather sheet 44a and an elastic stretch member 44b. Note that the description of the gather sheet 44a and the elastic stretch member 44b of the three-dimensional gather 44 of the inner-type absorbent article 40 is the same as that of the three-dimensional gather 26 of the outer-type absorbent article 20 described above, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

[0054] (Dimensions of the left and right three-dimensional gathers) When the left and right three-dimensional gathers 44 are erected, the widthwise interval W4 between the base portions 48 is 100 mm or more and 250 mm or less. If the widthwise interval W4 between the base portions 48 of the left and right three-dimensional gathers 44 is made narrower than 100 mm, the portion where the absorber 43 appears on the skin side surface becomes smaller, and there is a risk that sufficient absorbency cannot be ensured. On the other hand, if the widthwise interval W4 between the base portions 48 of the left and right three-dimensional gathers 44 is made wider than 250 mm, the inner-type absorbent article 40 itself also becomes wider, and the crotch portion becomes excessively wide, which may impair the comfort during wearing.

[0055] The widthwise length W5 from the base portion 48 to the tip 49 of the left and right three-dimensional gathers 44 is 20 mm or more and 50 mm or less. That is, when the left and right three-dimensional gathers 44 are erected, the height is 20 mm or more and 50 mm or less. If the length W5 from the base portion 48 to the tip 49 of the left and right three-dimensional gathers 44 is made shorter than 20 mm, the height of the barrier wall becomes insufficient, which may lead to urine leakage. On the other hand, if the length W5 from the base portion 48 to the tip 49 of the left and right three-dimensional gathers 44 is made longer than 50 mm, the length becomes excessive for the function, it becomes difficult to adhere at an appropriate position around the legs, so there is a risk that body fluid is likely to leak, and the wearing feeling also deteriorates. Also, since the length becomes excessive for the function, there is a risk that the manufacturing cost (material cost) increases.

[0056] (Inner-side fixing means) As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the inner-side fixing means is a portion that functions as a displacement prevention of the inner-type absorbent article 40 with respect to the outer-type absorbent article 20, is provided on the left and right three-dimensional gathers 44, and is detachable from the outer-side fixing means (the loop member 27 in the present embodiment) of the outer-type absorbent article 20. The inner-side fixing means and the outer-side fixing means are provided at corresponding positions so that the inner-type absorbent article 40 is disposed at an appropriate longitudinal position of the outer-type absorbent article 20 when both are fixed to each other.

[0057] The inner-side fixing means of the present embodiment is a fixing band 45 having a strip-shaped portion 46 disposed at one location on each side (two locations in total on the left and right sides) at the longitudinal center of the left and right three-dimensional gathers 44 and extending outward from the tips 49 of the left and right three-dimensional gathers 44, and a hook member (the other member) 47 provided at the tip of the strip-shaped portion 46. Note that disposing at the longitudinal center of the three-dimensional gather 44 means disposing so as to include the longitudinal center of the three-dimensional gather 44 (the longitudinal center of the area where it can stand up).

[0058] The strip-shaped portion 46 is a strip-shaped member provided so as to protrude from the tip 49 of the three-dimensional gather 44. The proximal end side of the strip-shaped portion 46 of the present embodiment is fixed to the inner surface in the width direction of the three-dimensional gather 44 in the erected state (see FIG. 7). The proximal end side of the strip-shaped portion 46 is fixed to the longitudinal center of the left and right three-dimensional gathers 44. A hook member 47 is provided on the distal end side of the strip-shaped portion 46. In the present embodiment, the proximal end side of the strip-shaped portion 46 is fixed to the inner surface in the width direction of the three-dimensional gather 44 in the erected state, but it is not limited thereto, and it may be fixed to the outer surface in the width direction of the three-dimensional gather 44.

[0059] The hook member 47 is a hook member (the other member) of the hook member and the loop member constituting the hook-and-loop fastener, and constitutes a hook-and-loop fastener together with the loop member 27 of the outer absorbent article 20. As shown in FIG. 8, the hook member 47 of the present embodiment is provided on the skin side surface of the tip portion (inner end portion in the width direction) of the strip-shaped portion 46 in a state where the strip-shaped portion 46 is extended inward in the width direction from the three-dimensional gather 44 without raising the three-dimensional gather 44. The hook member 47 of the present embodiment is formed in a rectangular shape, but the shape of the hook member 47 is not limited thereto. Also, in the present embodiment, the inner-side fixing means is a hook member of the hook-and-loop fastener, but it is not limited thereto, and it may be a loop member of the hook-and-loop fastener.

[0060] (Dimensions of the inner-side fixing means) As shown in FIG. 8, the protruding length W6 of the strip portion 46 protruding from the tip 49 of the left and right three-dimensional gathers 44 (the length in the protruding direction (Y direction)) is preferably 40 mm or more and 80 mm or less. Further, the strip width L2 of the strip portion 46 (the length in the direction (X direction) intersecting the protruding direction) is preferably 20 mm or more and 35 mm or less. By setting the dimensions of the strip portion 46 within the above range, it is possible to secure a sufficient length and width necessary for connecting to the outer absorbent article 20 to the fixing band 45, and it is possible to obtain a fixing band 45 with appropriate dimensions that does not make the handling during the wearing operation complicated. In this embodiment, the length W7 of the hook member 47 along the protruding direction (the length in the Y direction) is set to, for example, 20 mm, and the length of the hook member 47 in the direction (X direction) intersecting the protruding direction is set to substantially the same length as the strip width L2 of the strip portion 46. Note that the dimensions of each member of the inner-side fixing means are not limited to the above.

[0061] (Usage method) Next, the case of attaching the inner absorbent article 40 to the outer absorbent article 20 will be described.

[0062] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the inner absorbent article 40 is attached to the outer absorbent article 20, the three-dimensional gathers 26 on the left and right of the outer absorbent article 20 are raised, and the inner absorbent article 40 is placed in the inner storage space 32 (see FIG. 4) between the left and right three-dimensional gathers 26. Next, the three-dimensional gathers 44 on the left and right of the inner absorbent article 40 are raised, the fixing band 45 is pulled up, and the fixing band 45 is folded back outward in the width direction so as to straddle the tips 31b of the three-dimensional gathers 26 on the left and right of the outer absorbent article 20. Then, the hook member 47 of the fixing band 45 of the inner absorbent article 40 is fastened to the loop member 27 of the three-dimensional gathers 26 on the left and right of the outer absorbent article 20, and the three-dimensional gathers 44 on the left and right of the inner absorbent article 40 are fixed to the three-dimensional gathers 26 on the left and right of the outer absorbent article 20. At this time, the three-dimensional gathers 26 and 44 of both the inner absorbent article 40 and the outer absorbent article 20 are raised, and while pulling the fixing band 45 of the inner absorbent article 40 outward in the width direction as shown by the white arrow in FIG. 2, it is preferable to fasten the hook member 47 of the fixing band 45 to the loop member 27 of the outer absorbent article 20.

[0063] In the absorbent article set 10 configured as described above, the outer absorbent article 20 is provided with outer-side fixing means (loop member 27 in this embodiment) on the three-dimensional gathers 26 on the left and right, and the inner absorbent article 40 is provided with inner-side fixing means (fixing band 45 having a hook member 47 in this embodiment) on the three-dimensional gathers 44 on the left and right. For this reason, the three-dimensional gathers 44 on the left and right of the inner absorbent article 40 can be fixed to the side of the three-dimensional gathers 26 on the left and right of the outer absorbent article 20, so that displacement of the inner absorbent article 40 with respect to the outer absorbent article 20 can be prevented. Thereby, even when there are multiple urinations during long-term use at night or the like, or when the wearer changes body posture, displacement and sagging of the inner absorbent article 40 can be suppressed, and body fluid leakage can be prevented.

[0064] In addition, since the left and right three-dimensional gathers 44 of the inner absorbent article 40 can be fixed to the left and right three-dimensional gathers 26 sides of the outer absorbent article 20, the three-dimensional gathers 26 and 44 of the inner absorbent article 40 and the outer absorbent article 20 can be fixed to each other in a standing state. In this way, by fixing the three-dimensional gathers 26 and 44 of both the inner absorbent article 40 and the outer absorbent article 20 to each other in a standing state, the three-dimensional gathers 26 and 44 of both interact with each other, and the three-dimensional gathers 26 and 44 of both can be stably held in a standing state. As a result, even a caregiver who is not used to replacing the inner absorbent article 40 can easily stand up the three-dimensional gathers 44 and wear it, so that the number of times of re-wearing is reduced, and the work burden on the caregiver can be reduced. In addition, since the three-dimensional gathers 44 can be stood up and worn, the leakage of body fluid during long-term use can be reduced.

[0065] Therefore, according to the absorbent article set 10 of the present embodiment, even a caregiver who is not used to replacing the inner absorbent article 40 can easily wear the inner absorbent article 40 on the outer absorbent article 20 with the three-dimensional gathers 26 and 44 properly stood up, and the work burden on the caregiver can be reduced.

[0066] In addition, by using one member (the loop member 27 in this embodiment) of the hook member and the loop member of the surface fastener as the outer side fixing means, and the other member (the fixing band 45 having the hook member 47 in this embodiment) as the inner side fixing means, the three-dimensional gathers 26 and 44 of the inner absorbent article 40 and the outer absorbent article 20 can be fixed to each other with a simple configuration.

[0067] In addition, by connecting the outer absorbent article 20 and the inner absorbent article 40 with an appropriate strength using the hook member 47 and the loop member 27 constituting the surface fastener, the inner absorbent article 40 is less likely to shift with respect to the outer absorbent article 20, and the effect of preventing body fluid leakage can be further enhanced.

[0068] The hook member 47 and the loop member 27 that constitute the hook-and-loop fastener have durability against repeated detachment, so damage to the three-dimensional gathers 26 and 44 due to the load of repeated detachment can be suppressed, and the connected state can be stably maintained.

[0069] Also, by providing both the outer side fixing means (loop member 27) and the inner side fixing means (fixing band 45 having the hook member 47) at the central portion in the longitudinal direction of each of the three-dimensional gathers 26 and 44, the positions where the outer side fixing means and the inner side fixing means are present can be easily recognized as the central portion in the longitudinal direction of each of the three-dimensional gathers 26 and 44. For this reason, the visibility of the outer side fixing means and the inner side fixing means is enhanced, and the wearing position of the inner type absorbent article 40 can be easily recognized. Therefore, even in the replacement work of the inner type absorbent article 40 accompanied by the weight movement of the care recipient, the number of do-overs is reduced, and the work burden on the caregiver can be further reduced.

[0070] Further, according to the outer type absorbent article 20 of the present embodiment, by using it in combination with the inner type absorbent article 40, the same effects as those of the absorbent article set 10 described above can be obtained.

[0071] Further, according to the inner type absorbent article 40 of the present embodiment, by using it in combination with the outer type absorbent article 20, the same effects as those of the absorbent article set 10 described above can be obtained.

[0072] In the present embodiment, as the outer side fixing means, one member of the hook-and-loop fastener is provided on the outer surface in the width direction when the left and right three-dimensional gathers 26 are raised, but it is not limited to this, and it may be provided on the inner surface in the width direction of the left and right three-dimensional gathers 26. In this case, the other member of the hook-and-loop fastener may be provided on the non-skin side surface of the belt-like portion 46 of the fixing band 45 as the inner side fixing means. Alternatively, the other member of the hook-and-loop fastener as the inner side fixing means may be provided on the outer surface in the width direction when the three-dimensional gather 44 is raised.

[0073] In addition, in the present embodiment, as the outer-side fixing means, one member of the hook-and-loop fastener is provided, and as the inner-side fixing means, a belt-shaped fixing band 45 having the other member of the hook-and-loop fastener is provided. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, as the outer-side fixing means, a belt-shaped fixing band having one member of the hook-and-loop fastener may be provided, and as the inner-side fixing means, the other member of the hook-and-loop fastener may be provided.

[0074] As described above, the present invention has been described based on the above-described embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to the contents of the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the scope of the present invention. That is, other embodiments, examples, operation techniques, etc. made by those skilled in the art based on this embodiment are of course all included in the scope of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0075] 10: Absorbent article set 20: Outer-type absorbent article 20F: Front body part 20M: Crotch part 20B: Rear body part 26: Left and right three-dimensional gathers (outer-side three-dimensional gathers) 27: Loop member (outer-side fixing means, one member) 40: Inner-type absorbent article 44: Left and right three-dimensional gathers (inner-side three-dimensional gathers) 45: Fixing band (inner-side fixing means) 46: Belt-shaped part 47: Hook member (the other member)

Claims

1. An outer-type absorbent article composed of a front waist part, a crotch part, and a back waist part and used as an outer, and an inner-type absorbent article disposed at least in the crotch part of the outer-type absorbent article and used as an inner detachable from the outer-type absorbent article. The absorbent article set includes: The outer-type absorbent article includes left and right outer-side three-dimensional gathers disposed on both sides in the width direction of the skin side surface and extending in the longitudinal direction, and outer-side fixing means provided on the left and right outer-side three-dimensional gathers. When the left and right outer-side three-dimensional gathers are erected, the interval in the width direction between the base parts is 180 mm or more and 270 mm or less. The length from the base part to the tip of the left and right outer-side three-dimensional gathers is 30 mm or more and 85 mm or less. The inner-type absorbent article includes left and right inner-side three-dimensional gathers disposed on both sides in the width direction of the skin side surface and extending in the longitudinal direction, and inner-side fixing means provided on the left and right inner-side three-dimensional gathers and detachable from the outer-side fixing means. The inner-type absorbent article is disposed between the left and right outer-side three-dimensional gathers of the outer-type absorbent article. When the left and right inner-side three-dimensional gathers are erected, the interval in the width direction between the base parts is 100 mm or more and 250 mm or less. The length from the base part to the tip of the left and right inner-side three-dimensional gathers is 20 mm or more and 50 mm or less. An absorbent article set characterized by the above.

2. The outer-side fixing means is one of a hook member and a loop member of a surface fastener, and is disposed at the longitudinal center of the outer surface in the width direction when the left and right outer-side three-dimensional gathers are erected. The inner-side fixing means includes a strip-shaped part disposed at the longitudinal center of the left and right inner-side three-dimensional gathers and extending outward from the tips of the left and right inner-side three-dimensional gathers, and the other member of the hook member and the loop member provided at the tip of the strip-shaped part. The absorbent article set according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. The longitudinal length of the one member is 60 mm or more and 100 mm or less. The widthwise length of the one member is 30 mm or more and 50 mm or less. The protruding length of the strip-shaped part protruding from the tips of the left and right inner-side three-dimensional gathers is 40 mm or more and 80 mm or less. The width of the strip-shaped part is 20 mm or more and 35 mm or less. The absorbent article set according to claim 2, characterized by the above.

4. An outer absorbent article used in the absorbent article set according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. An inner absorbent article used in the absorbent article set according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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