Absorbent article

Abstract

To provide an absorbent article which can further improve fitness relative to an excretion port by central gathers.SOLUTION: An absorbent article (1) includes: an absorber (30) having an absorbent material; a top sheet (21) which is arranged in a central region (R10) including a width center (1CW) of an article which is the center in the width direction of the absorbent article and abuts on the skin of a wearer; and central gathers (40) which are arranged between the top sheet and the absorber and protrude the top sheet to a skin side (T1) in the central region. The central gathers include a center expanding and contracting member (42) which expands and contracts at least in a front-back direction. The central gathers are joined to the top sheet in a pair of first joining parts (45) positioned on both sides relative to the width center of the article and are joined to the absorber in a pair of second joining parts (46) positioned on both sides relative to the width center of the article.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an absorbent article having a center gather that raises the topsheet on the skin side in a region including the center in the width direction of the absorbent article.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an absorbent article having a center gather that raises the topsheet on the skin side in a region including the center in the width direction of the absorbent article. The center gather has a center elastic member that expands and contracts at least in the front-rear direction. When the center elastic member contracts, the center gather bulges toward the topsheet side, presses the topsheet against the skin side, and can improve the fit to the excretory opening disposed opposite to the region including the center in the width direction of the absorbent article.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0004] Absorbent articles are subjected to various forces and deformed by the wearer's movements and postures during wearing. For example, when the absorbent article is pinched by the wearer's legs, the absorbent article receives a force from the outside to the inside in the width direction. At this time, if the raised state of the center gather cannot be maintained, the fit to the excretory opening may decrease, and there is a risk of leakage of body fluid. In particular, in an absorbent article that absorbs urine, a large amount of body fluid may be discharged at one time, and leakage is more likely to occur due to a decrease in the fit to the excretory opening. Therefore, it is required to further improve the fit to the excretory opening by the center gather.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to provide an absorbent article capable of further improving the fitness of the center gather to the excretory opening.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An absorbent article according to one aspect includes a front-back direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction that are orthogonal to each other, an absorber having an absorbent material, and a central region including an article width center that is the center in the width direction of the absorbent article, a topsheet that abuts against the wearer's skin, and a center gather that is disposed between the topsheet and the absorber and raises the topsheet toward the skin side in the central region. The center gather has a center expansion and contraction member that expands and contracts at least in the front-back direction. The center gather is joined to the topsheet at a pair of first joining portions located on both sides with respect to the article width center, and is joined to the absorber at a pair of second joining portions located on both sides with respect to the article width center.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] (1) Outline of the Embodiment The following at least are made clear by the description of this specification and the attached drawings. The absorbent article according to Aspect 1 includes a longitudinal direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction that are orthogonal to each other, an absorber having an absorbent material, a topsheet disposed in a central region including the article width center that is the center in the width direction of the absorbent article, and that contacts the wearer's skin, and a center gather disposed between the topsheet and the absorber and raising the topsheet toward the skin side in the central region. The center gather has a center expansion and contraction member that expands and contracts at least in the longitudinal direction. The center gather is joined to the topsheet at a pair of first joining portions located on both sides with respect to the article width center, and is joined to the absorber at a pair of second joining portions located on both sides with respect to the article width center. According to this aspect, the center gather is disposed between the topsheet and the absorber in the central region. The center gather is joined to the absorber at a pair of second joining portions, and a region that can be raised from the absorber side toward the topsheet side by contraction of the center expansion and contraction member is provided between the pair of second joining portions. When the center gather bulges toward the skin side with respect to the absorber at least in the said region, the topsheet is pressed toward the skin side. The topsheet can improve the fit to the excretory opening and the drawability of body fluid by being pressed toward the skin side by the center gather. Therefore, the fit to the excretory opening by the center gather can be further improved, and even when a large amount of body fluid is discharged, the body fluid can be drawn in and leakage can be suppressed. The center gather is joined to the topsheet via a pair of first joining portions. The first joining portions are located on both sides of the article width center and are spaced apart from each other in the width direction. Since a pair of first joining portions spaced apart in the width direction are provided, for example, when the absorbent article is pressed from the outside in the width direction toward the inside, even if one of the pair of first joining portions is pressed, the other first joining portion serves as a base point and easily returns to its original state, making it easy to maintain the raised state of the center gather. Further, since a pair of first joining portions spaced apart in the width direction are provided, for example, even when the absorbent article is pressed from the skin side toward the non-skin side by body pressure, the first joining portions on both sides serve as supports and easily return to their original states, making it easy to maintain the state in which the center gather and the topsheet bulge toward the skin side.Therefore, the fitness of the center gather to the discharge port can be further improved.

[0009] According to a preferred form, the invention according to Embodiment 2 may have the following features in the invention according to Embodiment 1. At least a part of the center expansion and contraction member is disposed in a region between a pair of first joining portions in the width direction. According to this embodiment, since the first joining portions are disposed outside the center expansion and contraction member in the width direction, when the center expansion and contraction member is pressed by body pressure or the like, a region that bulges toward the skin side by the center expansion and contraction member is supported by the first joining portions, and it becomes easier to maintain the state where the center gather and the top sheet bulge toward the skin side. Therefore, the fitness of the center gather to the discharge port can be further improved.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, the invention according to Embodiment 3 may have the following features in the invention according to Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2. A non-joining region where the top sheet and the center gather are not joined is provided between the pair of first joining portions. At least a part of the center expansion and contraction member overlaps the non-joining region. According to this embodiment, in the non-joining region provided between the pair of first joining portions, a space can be formed between the top sheet and the center gather, and when a large amount of body fluid is discharged, the body fluid can be temporarily stored in the space. Further, when the center expansion and contraction member overlapping the non-joining region contracts, the top sheet becomes more likely to bulge toward the skin side, and it becomes easier to maintain the space between the top sheet and the center gather in the non-joining region.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment, the invention according to aspect 4 may have the following features in the invention according to any one of aspects 1 to 3. It has a pair of leak-proof gathers that stand up from the outer side of the top sheet to the skin side due to the contraction of the leak-proof elastic member. The leak-proof gathers stand up to the skin side with the side edges of the leak-proof joint portion joined to the top sheet as a starting point. The side edges of the leak-proof joint portion are arranged on the outer side in the width direction than the first joint portion. According to this embodiment, the leak-proof gathers stand up to the skin side with the leak-proof joint portion located on the outer side in the width direction than the first joint portion of the center gather as a starting point. Therefore, when body fluid diffuses to the outer side in the width direction beyond the center gather, lateral leakage of the body fluid can be suppressed by the leak-proof gathers.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment, the invention according to aspect 5 may have the following features in the invention according to aspect 4. In the natural state of the absorbent article, the apex on the skin side of the leak-proof gather is located closer to the skin side than the apex on the skin side of the center gather. According to this embodiment, in the natural state of the absorbent article, since the height up to the apex on the skin side of the leak-proof gather is higher than the apex on the skin side of the center gather, even if a large amount of body fluid is discharged and the body fluid flows along the skin side surface of the top sheet, the body fluid can be blocked by the leak-proof gather.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment, the invention according to aspect 6 may have the following features in the invention according to aspect 4 or aspect 5. In a pressing state where the length in the width direction of the absorbent article at the center in the front-rear direction of the absorbent article is 70% with respect to the length in the width direction of the absorbent article at the center in the front-rear direction of the absorbent article in the natural state of the absorbent article, the apex on the skin side of the leak-proof gather is located closer to the skin side than the apex on the skin side of the center gather. According to this embodiment, the absorbent article is pressed by the legs during wearing and its shape changes. In this pressing state, since the apex of the leak-proof gather is located closer to the skin side than the apex of the center gather, even if a large amount of body fluid is discharged and the body fluid flows along the skin side surface of the top sheet, the body fluid can be blocked by the leak-proof gather.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the invention according to aspect 7 may have the following features in the invention according to any one of aspects 4 to 6. At least part of the leak-proof joint portion overlaps with the absorber in the thickness direction. The leak-proof joint portion overlaps with the absorber, and its position is likely to be stable. In order to stabilize the base point of the leak-proof gathers, for example, even when the absorbent article is pressed by a leg or the like, the absorbent article can ensure the height at which the leak-proof gathers stand up, and the effect of suppressing lateral leakage by the leak-proof gathers can be sustained.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, the invention according to aspect 8 may have the following features in the invention according to any one of aspects 4 to 7. In the front-rear direction, the outer edge of the leak-proof elastic member is located outside the outer edge of the center elastic member. According to this embodiment, the center gathers locally bulge toward the skin side in a narrower range in the front-rear direction than the leak-proof gathers and fit the excretory opening. Also, the leak-proof gathers bulge toward the skin side in a wider range in the front-rear direction than the center gathers, and lateral leakage can be suppressed over the entire absorbent article.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, the invention according to aspect 9 may have the following features in the invention according to any one of aspects 1 to 8. The first joint portion is constituted by a squeezing portion that compresses the topsheet and the center gathers in the thickness direction. According to this embodiment, since the first joint portion has a squeezing portion, the position of the first joint portion is likely to be stable. Therefore, it becomes easier to maintain the state in which the center gathers and the topsheet bulge toward the skin side.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, the invention according to aspect 10 may have the following features in the invention according to aspect 9. The squeezing part is arranged along the front-rear direction outside the central region in the width direction. When the absorbent article is pressed from the outside to the inside in the width direction, the force is transmitted to the squeezing part and pressed to the inside in the width direction through the squeezing part. The squeezing part is located outside the central region in the width direction, and the central region receives a force directed inward in the width direction through the squeezing part. By receiving this force, the center gather is stably deformed into a convex shape. By deforming into a convex shape, it can continue to fit the crotch part in any posture, without creating a gap, and is less likely to leak. In addition, body fluid flowing from the center gather to the outside in the width direction diffuses in the front-rear direction through the squeezing part. Since the body fluid is diffused and absorbed in a wide range in the front-rear direction of the absorbent article, the transfer leakage of the body fluid on the topsheet can be suppressed.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, the invention according to aspect 11 may have the following features in the invention according to any one of aspects 1 to 10. The center expansion and contraction member is arranged biased forward with respect to the center in the front-rear direction of the absorbent article. Generally, the urinary orifice is arranged to face forward of the center in the front-rear direction of the absorbent article. According to this embodiment, the raised portion on the skin side by the center expansion and contraction member is formed biased forward, and the fitness with respect to the urinary orifice can be improved.

[0019] (2) Overall schematic configuration of the absorbent article Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, the absorbent article 1 according to the embodiment will be described. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and the ratios of each dimension etc. are different from the actual ones. Therefore, specific dimensions etc. should be determined with reference to the following description. Also, there may be parts where the relationships and ratios of the dimensions to each other are different even between the drawings. The absorbent article 1 may be an absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin, a pantiliner, an incontinence pad, a fecal pad. The absorbent article 1 may be an article that is worn and used on a wearing article such as underwear. The absorbent article 1 of the embodiment is a light incontinence pad.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of the absorbent article 1 as viewed from the skin side T1. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the absorbent article 1 as viewed from the non-skin side T2. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the absorbent article 1 along the line A-A shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 3, for convenience of explanation, each member constituting the absorbent article 1 is partially spaced apart in the thickness direction, but in an actual product, each member has a joined portion. FIGS. 1 to 3 show the absorbent article 1 in an extended state. Further, FIG. 4 is a view showing the absorbent article 1 in a natural state in a cross-section based on the cross-section of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a view schematically showing a state in which the absorbent article 1 in the natural state is visually recognized from the skin side T1 and the front side. Here, the "extended state" means a state in which the elastic member provided in the absorbent article is extended to such an extent that wrinkles of the absorbent article cannot be visually recognized. On the other hand, the "natural state" is a state when the absorbent article 1 is worn on the wearing article S, and will be described in detail later.

[0021] Here, the "skin side" corresponds to the side facing the wearer's skin during use. The "non-skin side" corresponds to the side directed opposite to the wearer's skin during use. The absorbent article 1 has a front-back direction L and a width direction W that are perpendicular to each other, and has a thickness direction T extending from the skin side T1 to the non-skin side T2 of the wearer. In the front-back direction L of the absorbent article 1, the side that contacts the lower abdomen of the user is referred to as the "front side", and the side that contacts the buttocks of the user is referred to as the "rear side". The absorbent article 1 has a crotch region S3, a front region S1, and a rear region S2. In a form having a portion where the outer edge of the absorbent article or the outer edge of the absorbent core is constricted inward in the width direction, the region where the constricted portion is provided may constitute the crotch region. Alternatively, the crotch region S3, the front region S1, and the rear region S2 may be constituted by regions that trisect the absorbent article 1 in the front-back direction L. The crotch region S3 is a region facing the wearer's excretion port, for example, the urinary opening. When the absorbent article 1 is worn on underwear, the crotch region S3 is disposed in the crotch portion of the underwear and is a region disposed between the wearer's legs. The front region S1 is located anterior to the crotch region S3. The rear region S2 is located posterior to the crotch region S3.

[0022] In addition, the outer part in the present invention is a part that occupies a certain range in the width direction W including the outer edge in the width direction W, and the outer edge is the outer edge in the width direction W. Note that the outer edge of a component member that occupies a certain range in the front-rear direction L is an edge formed by connecting points located outside the width direction W in the component member across the entire component member. The inner part in the present invention is a part that occupies a certain range in the width direction W including the inner edge in the width direction W, and the inner edge is the inner edge in the width direction W. Note that the inner edge of a component member that occupies a certain range in the front-rear direction L is an edge formed by connecting points located inside the width direction W in the component member across the entire component member. Further, the front end part and the rear end part in the present invention are parts that occupy a certain range in the front-rear direction L including the edge in the front-rear direction L, and the front edge and the rear edge are the edges in the front-rear direction L. The outer end part includes the front end part and the rear end part, and the outer edge includes the front edge and the rear edge. Also, the inner side is a side that includes the inner edge and extends along the front-rear direction L. The outer side is a side that includes the outer edge and extends along the front-rear direction L. Note that in this specification, the term "along the front-rear direction L" means a direction having an angle of less than 45° with respect to the front-rear direction L, and the term "along the width direction W" means a direction having an angle of less than 45° with respect to the width direction W.

[0023] The absorbent article 1 may have at least an absorber 30, a topsheet 21, a backsheet 25, and a center gather 40. The absorber 30 has an absorbent material. Examples of the absorbent material can include, for example, hydrophilic fibers, cellulose-based fibers (such as pulp), and superabsorbent polymers (SAP). The absorber 30 may have an absorbent sheet (so-called SAP sheet) in which the skin side T1 and the non-skin side T2 of the superabsorbent polymer are covered with a sheet, or may have an absorbent core 31 in which pulp is laminated. The absorbent core 31 may be covered with a core wrap 32 such as tissue. The absorber of the present embodiment has an absorbent core 31 having pulp and a superabsorbent polymer, and a core wrap 32 covering the absorbent core.

[0024] The topsheet 21 covers the skin side T1 of the absorber 30. The topsheet 21 is disposed in the central region R10 including the article width center 1CW which is the center in the width direction W of the absorbent article 1, and abuts against the wearer's skin. The topsheet 21 has liquid permeability and may be composed of a nonwoven fabric. The topsheet 21 only needs to be disposed at least in the central region R10, and may cover a partial region (for example, the center in the width direction) of the absorber 30, or may cover the entire width direction W of the absorber 30.

[0025] The backsheet 25 is disposed on the non-skin side T2 rather than the absorber 30, and constitutes the surface of the non-skin side T2 of the absorbent article 1. The backsheet 25 has liquid impermeability and may be composed of a film. A fastening portion 60 for fastening the absorbent article 1 to the wearing article S may be provided on the surface of the non-skin side T2 of the backsheet 25. The fastening portion 60 may be provided at least in a region overlapping the absorber 30. The fastening portion 60 may be provided with an adhesive or a mechanical hook. The fastening portion 60 of the present embodiment extends in the front-rear direction L and is arranged at intervals in the width direction W, and three are arranged on each of both sides sandwiching the center in the width direction W of the absorbent article. In a modified example, the fastening portion may extend in the width direction W and be arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction L. The fastening portion 60 may be covered by a release sheet 65 or a packaging sheet (not shown) for individually packaging the absorbent article before use of the absorbent article 1.

[0026] The center gather 40 is disposed between the topsheet 21 and the absorber 30, and raises the topsheet 21 on the skin side T1 in the central region R10. The center gather 40 has a center expansion and contraction member 42 that expands and contracts at least in the front-rear direction L. The center expansion and contraction member 42 may be joined to the center sheet 41 in an extended state. Due to the contraction of the center expansion and contraction member 42, the center sheet 41 and the center expansion and contraction member 42 rise on the skin side T1, and the topsheet 21 rises from the non-skin side T2 to the skin side T1.

[0027] The center sheet 41 may have liquid permeability and may be composed of a non-woven fabric. The center sheet 41 may be folded based on a center fold line extending in the front-rear direction L. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the center sheet 41 is folded (in a mountain fold) such that the non-skin-side surfaces of the center sheet 41 face each other by a pair of first center fold lines FL41 located on both sides of the article width center 1CW. The portion folded by the first center fold line FL41 is folded (in a valley fold) such that the skin-side T1 surfaces of the center sheet 41 face each other by a pair of second center fold lines FL42. In the state folded by the first center fold line FL41 and the second center fold line FL42, the first center fold line FL41 is located outside the second center fold line FL42 in the width direction W. The pair of second center fold lines FL42 are spaced apart in the width direction W.

[0028] The center stretch member 42 is joined to the center sheet 41 in a region sandwiched by a pair of first center fold lines FL41. The skin-side T1 surface of the region sandwiched by the pair of first center fold lines FL41 is in contact with the top sheet 21. The region sandwiched by the pair of first center fold lines FL41 (the region sandwiched by the pair of first center fold lines FL41) constitutes a top surface portion that presses the top sheet 21 against the skin side T1. In the center sheet 41, a part of the non-skin-side surface in the region outside the second center fold line FL42 in the width direction W is joined to the absorber 30 (a second joining portion described later). The portion joined to the absorber 30 in the center sheet 41 constitutes a base portion that is a base point for the center gather 40 to bulge. In the center sheet 41, between the base portion and the top surface portion, an upright portion that rises in the direction toward the body during wearing is constituted.

[0029] The center expansion and contraction member 42 may be a member that can expand and contract in the front-rear direction L. The center expansion and contraction member 42 may be composed of thread rubber. The center expansion and contraction member 42 of the present embodiment is composed of thread rubber and is arranged in four on each of both sides sandwiching the center 1CW of the article width. According to the center expansion and contraction member 42 made of thread rubber, the portion where the thread rubber is arranged is locally raised to the skin side T1, and it is easy to fit only the intended area to the body. Alternatively, the center expansion and contraction member 42 may be composed of a sheet-like expansion and contraction sheet. According to the center expansion and contraction member 42 made of the expansion and contraction sheet, it is raised in a planar shape over a certain range, and it is easy to fit to the body in a planar manner. The center expansion and contraction member 42 may be arranged at the center 1CW of the article width, or may be arranged on both sides of the center 1CW of the article width without being arranged at the center 1CW as in the present embodiment.

[0030] Here, the "central region" in the present embodiment is a region where the top sheet 21 is raised to the skin side T1 by the center gather 40. The central region R10 may be a region where the center expansion and contraction member 42 is arranged. In a form where the center expansion and contraction member 42 is composed of a plurality of elastic members (for example, thread rubber), the region sandwiched by the elastic member located on the outermost side in the width direction W may constitute the central region R10. Further, in a form where the center expansion and contraction member 42 is composed of an expansion and contraction sheet, the region where the expansion and contraction sheet is arranged may constitute the central region R10. Further, as in the present embodiment, in a form where the center sheet 41 is folded with the center fold line as a base point, the top surface portion sandwiched by the first center fold line FL41 may constitute the central region R10. The central region R10 straddles the center 1CW of the article width, and by the center gather 40 being raised to the skin side T1, the top sheet 21 fits to the excretion port, and body fluid from the excretion port can be quickly drawn to the top sheet 21 side.

[0031] The absorbent article 1 may have a pair of leak-proof gathers 70 that stand up from the outer portion of the topsheet 21 to the skin side T1 due to the contraction of the leak-proof elastic member 72. The leak-proof gathers 70 stand up on the skin side T1 with the side edges 751 of the leak-proof joint 75 joined to the topsheet 21 as the starting points. The leak-proof gathers 70 may be respectively arranged on both sides of the article width center 1CW. The leak-proof gathers 70 are joined to the topsheet 21 at the leak-proof joint 75. The leak-proof gathers 70 have a contraction portion 73 that stands up on the skin side T1 with the side edge 751 (the inner edge in this embodiment) of the leak-proof joint 75 as the starting point. The leak-proof elastic member 72 is arranged in the contraction portion 73.

[0032] The leak-proof gather 70 of the present embodiment has a leak-proof elastic member 72 that expands and contracts in the front-rear direction L, and a side sheet 71 to which the leak-proof elastic member 72 is joined. The side sheet 71 may be composed of a hydrophobic (hydrophobic-treated) non-woven fabric. The leak-proof elastic member 72 may be composed of thread rubber. It should be noted that the leak-proof elastic member 72 is a portion joined to the side sheet 71 so as to be stretchable, and does not include a portion joined to the side sheet 71 in a non-stretchable state and a portion not joined to the side sheet 71.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the side sheet 71 is folded with the first side fold FL71 located at the skin-side apex 70T of the leak-proof gather 70 as the starting point and laminated in two layers. The leak-proof elastic member 72 is arranged between the two layers of the side sheet 71. The two layers of the side sheet 71 are folded by a second side fold FL72 located inside the width direction W from the first side fold FL71.

[0034] The non-skin side T2 surface of the region folded by the second side fold FL72 is joined to the top sheet 21 by a leak-proof joint 75. The leak-proof joint 75 may be constituted by an adhesive. The leak-proof joint 75 is disposed on the outer portion of the side sheet 71. The inner edge 751 of the leak-proof joint 75 constitutes the base point of the shrinkage portion 73. The apex of the shrinkage portion 73 is the first side fold FL71, which becomes the skin side apex 70T of the leak-proof gather 70. Three leak-proof elastic members 72 are arranged between the first side fold FL71 and the base point of the shrinkage portion 73 (the side edge 751 of the leak-proof joint 75). The leak-proof gather 70 stands up on the skin side T1 with the side edge of the leak-proof joint as the base point. Note that in the leak-proof gather 70 of the present embodiment, the side sheet 71 is folded with the second side fold FL72 as the base point, and the apex of the shrinkage portion 73 (the skin side apex of the leak-proof gather 70) stands up toward the outside in the width direction W. However, in other forms, the apex of the shrinkage portion 73 may stand up toward the inside in the width direction W.

[0035] The absorbent article 1 may have a squeezing portion 80 that compresses at least the top sheet 21 and the center gather 40 in the thickness direction T. The squeezing portion 80 compresses the absorber 30 together with the top sheet 21 and the center gather 40 and may be formed across the top sheet 21, the center gather 40, and the absorber 30. The squeezing portion 80 of the present embodiment is formed by compressing the top sheet 21, the center sheet 41 constituting the center gather 40, and the absorber 30 in the thickness direction. The squeezing portion 80 may be disposed on both sides sandwiching the article width center 1CW. The squeezing portion 80 may constitute a first joint portion 45 described later.

[0036] The absorbent article 1 of the present embodiment is configured to be able to further improve the fitness of the center gather 40 to the excretory opening. Next, the configuration for further improving the fitness of the center gather 40 to the excretory opening will be described in detail. The center gather 40 is joined to the topsheet 21 at a pair of first joining portions 45 located on both sides with respect to the center 1CW of the article width, and is joined to the absorbent body 30 at a pair of second joining portions 46 located on both sides with respect to the center 1CW of the article width. The first joining portions 45 are spaced apart in the width direction W and are respectively arranged on both sides sandwiching the center 1CW of the article width. Similarly, the second joining portions 46 are spaced apart in the width direction W and are respectively arranged on both sides sandwiching the center 1CW of the article width.

[0037] The center gather 40 is arranged between the topsheet 21 and the absorbent body 30 in the central region R10. The center gather 40 is joined to the absorbent body 30 at a pair of second joining portions 46, and a region that can be raised from the absorbent body 30 side to the topsheet 21 side by the contraction of the center expansion and contraction member 42 is provided between the pair of second joining portions 46. When the center gather 40 bulges toward the skin side T1 with respect to the absorbent body 30 at least in the said region, the topsheet 21 is pressed against the skin side T1. The topsheet 21 can improve the fitness to the excretory opening and the liquid drawing property by being pressed against the skin side T1 by the center gather 40. Therefore, even when a large amount of body fluid is discharged, the body fluid can be drawn in and leakage can be suppressed. Further, since the center gather 40 is joined to the absorbent body 30 via the second joining portion 46, the base point of the center gather 40 is likely to be stable and the raised state of the center gather 40 is likely to be maintained. Preferably, the second joining portion 46 may be arranged so as to overlap the absorbent core 31. The base point of the center gather 40 is more likely to be stable and the raised state of the center gather 40 is likely to be maintained.

[0038] The center gather 40 is joined to the topsheet 21 via a pair of first joints 45. The first joints 45 are located on both sides of the article width center 1CW and are spaced apart from each other in the width direction W. Since the pair of first joints 45 are provided spaced apart in the width direction W, for example, when the absorbent article 1 is pressed from the outside to the inside in the width direction W, even if one of the pair of first joints 45 is pressed, the other first joint 45 serves as a base point and is likely to return to its original state, making it easier to maintain the raised state of the center gather 40. Also, since the pair of first joints 45 are provided spaced apart in the width direction W, for example, even if the absorbent article 1 is pressed from the skin side T1 to the non-skin side T2 by body pressure, the first joints 45 on both sides serve as supports and the top surface is likely to return to its original state, making it easier to maintain the state where the center gather 40 and the topsheet 21 are raised on the skin side.

[0039] The outer edge of the second joint 46 may be located outside the outer edge of the first joint 45 in the width direction W. Since at least a part of the second joint 46 is located outside the first joint 45 in the width direction W, the center gather 40 is likely to stand up on the skin side T1 from the outside to the inside in the width direction W, and the fit to the excretory opening can be improved. At least a part of the first joint 45 may overlap the second joint 46. The base point by the first joint 45 and the base point by the second joint 46 are arranged to overlap, and the center gather 40 is raised stepwise on the skin side T1, making it easier to ensure the height in the raised state of the center gather 40. Therefore, the fit to the excretory opening can be further improved.

[0040] At least a part of the center stretch member 42 may be arranged in the region between the pair of first joints 45 in the width direction W. The first joints 45 are arranged outside the center stretch member 42 in the width direction W. When the center gather 40 is pressed by body pressure or the like, the region that bulges on the skin side T1 is supported by the first joints 45, making it easier to maintain the state where the center gather 40 and the topsheet 21 are raised on the skin side T1. Therefore, the fit of the center gather 40 to the excretory opening can be further improved.

[0041] Further, at least a part of the center expansion member 42 may be disposed in a region between a pair of second joining portions 46 in the width direction W. The second joining portions 46 are disposed outside the center expansion member 42 in the width direction W. When the center gather 40 is pressed by body pressure or the like, the second joining portions 46 support a region that bulges toward the skin side T1, making it easier to maintain the state where the center gather 40 and the top sheet 21 bulge toward the skin side T1. Therefore, the fitting property of the center gather 40 to the discharge port can be further improved.

[0042] The inner edge of the second joining portion 46 may be located inside the inner edge of the first joining portion 45 in the width direction W. Since the second joining portion 46 is disposed across the first joining portion 45 in the width direction W, the position of the first joining portion 45 is less likely to shift. Therefore, the base point of the center gather 40 is stabilized, and it becomes easier to maintain the state where the center gather 40 and the top sheet 21 bulge toward the skin side T1. Further, in a modified example, the inner edge of the second joining portion 46 may be located outside the inner edge of the first joining portion 45 in the width direction W. The widthwise range of the region where the center gather 40 bulges with the second joining portion 46 as a base point can be formed wider, and a wider storage space for body fluid can be provided by the space between the center gather 40 and the absorber 30.

[0043] When the center sheet 41 is in a folded form by the first center fold line FL41 and the second center fold line FL42, the first joining portion 45 and the second joining portion 46 may be located outside the second center fold line FL42 in the width direction W. Further, when the center sheet 41 is not in a folded form by the first center fold line FL41 and the second center fold line FL42, the first joining portion 45 and the second joining portion 46 may be disposed outside the center expansion member 42 in the width direction W.

[0044] The range of the front-back direction L of the center gather 40 may be arranged to at least overlap with the absorber 30, and preferably may be arranged over the entire front-back direction L of the absorber 30. In the present embodiment, the center sheet 41 is arranged over the entire front-back direction L of the absorbent article 1, and the center expansion / contraction member 42 (the portion where the elastic member constituting the center expansion / contraction member is joined to the center sheet in an expandable and contractible manner) is arranged on the rear side of the front edge of the absorber 30 and on the front side of the rear edge of the absorber 30. Note that the center expansion / contraction member 42 is the portion joined to the center sheet 41 in an expandable and contractible manner, and does not include the portion joined to the center sheet 41 in a non-expanded and non-contracted state and the portion not joined to the center sheet 41.

[0045] The center expansion / contraction member 42 may be arranged biased toward the front side with respect to the center in the front-back direction L of the absorbent article 1. The discharge port is generally arranged to face a portion on the front side of the center in the front-back direction of the absorbent article. Therefore, it becomes easier to fit the portion raised by the center expansion / contraction member 42 to the discharge port. Further, the center expansion / contraction member 42 may be arranged biased toward the front side with respect to the center in the front-back direction L of the crotch region S3. According to this configuration, the fit to the discharge port arranged to face a region on the front side of the center in the front-back direction of the crotch region can be improved.

[0046] A non-joined region NR (see FIG. 4) where the top sheet 21 and the center gather 40 are not joined may be provided between the pair of first joining portions 45. At least a part of the center expansion / contraction member 42 may overlap with the non-joined region NR. As shown in FIG. 4, in the non-joined region NR provided between the pair of first joining portions 45, a space G can be formed between the top sheet 21 and the center gather 40, and when a large amount of body fluid is discharged, the body fluid can be temporarily stored in the space G. Further, when the center expansion / contraction member 42 overlapping the non-joined region NR contracts, the top sheet 21 is more likely to bulge toward the skin side T1, and the space G between the top sheet 21 and the center gather 40 in the non-joined region NR is more likely to be maintained.

[0047] Note that the non - joining region NR may be provided over the entire region sandwiched by a pair of first joining portions 45, or may be provided in a part of the region sandwiched by a pair of first joining portions 45. In the present embodiment, in the region sandwiched by a pair of first joining portions 45, a third joining portion 47 for joining the top sheet 21 and the center sheet 41 is provided. The third joining portion 47 is arranged across the center 1CW of the article width. Therefore, the non - joining region NR is provided in the region sandwiched by the outer edge of the third joining portion 47 and the inner edge of the first joining portion 45. The non - joining region NR is arranged on both sides sandwiching the third joining portion 47 in the width direction W.

[0048] The first joining portion 45 and the second joining portion 46 may be constituted by a squeezing portion that compresses the members in the thickness direction T, or may be constituted by an adhesive that adheres the members to each other. Further, the first joining portion 45 and the second joining portion 46 may have a portion adhered by an adhesive and a portion joined by a squeezing portion. The first joining portion 45 of the present embodiment includes a portion where the skin - side T1 surface of the center sheet 41 and the skin - side T1 surface of the top sheet 21 are adhered, and a squeezing portion 80. The second joining portion 46 of the present embodiment includes a portion where the non - skin - side T2 surface of the center sheet 41 and the skin - side T1 surface of the absorber 30 are adhered, and a squeezing portion 80.

[0049] Preferably, the first joining portion 45 may be constituted by the squeezing portion 80. Since the first joining portion 45 has the squeezing portion 80, the position of the first joining portion 45 is likely to be stable. Therefore, it becomes easier to maintain the state where the center gather 40 and the top sheet 21 bulge on the skin - side T1. Similarly, the second joining portion 46 may also be constituted by the squeezing portion 80. Since the second joining portion 46 has the squeezing portion 80, the position of the second joining portion 46 is also likely to be stable.

[0050] The squeezing part 80 may be arranged along the front-rear direction L outside the width direction W than the central region R10. When the absorbent article 1 is pressed from the outside to the inside in the width direction W, the force is transmitted to the squeezing part 80 and is pressed to the inside in the width direction W through the squeezing part 80. The squeezing part 80 is located outside the width direction W than the central region R10, and the central region R10 receives a force toward the inside in the width direction through the squeezing part 80. By receiving this force, the center gather 40 is likely to be stably deformed into a convex shape. By deforming into a convex shape, it can continue to fit the crotch part in any posture, without creating a gap, and is less likely to leak. Further, the body fluid flowing from the center gather 40 to the outside in the width direction W diffuses in the front-rear direction L through the squeezing part 80. Since the body fluid is diffused and absorbed in a wide range in the front-rear direction L of the absorbent article 1, the transfer leakage of the body fluid on the topsheet 21 can be suppressed.

[0051] The side edge 751 of the leak-proof joint part 75 may be arranged outside the width direction W than the first joint part 45. According to this aspect, the leak-proof gather 70 stands up on the skin side T1 with the leak-proof joint part 75 located outside the width direction W than the first joint part 45 of the center gather 40 as a base point. Therefore, when the body fluid diffuses outside the width direction W beyond the center gather 40, the lateral leakage of the body fluid can be suppressed by the leak-proof gather 70. Note that the side edge 751 of the leak-proof joint part 75 may be arranged outside the width direction W than the first joint part 45 in the absorbent article in a natural state.

[0052] At least a part of the leak-proof joint part 75 may be arranged outside the width direction W than the second joint part 46. According to this aspect, the leak-proof gather 70 stands up on the skin side with the leak-proof joint part 75 located outside the width direction W than the second joint part 46 of the center gather 40 as a base point. Therefore, when the body fluid diffuses outside the width direction beyond the center gather 40, the lateral leakage of the body fluid can be suppressed by the leak-proof gather. Note that the side edge 751 of the leak-proof joint part 75 may be arranged outside the width direction than the second joint part 46 in the absorbent article in a natural state.

[0053] At least the leak - proof joint portion 75 may overlap the absorber 30 in the thickness direction. The leak - proof joint portion 75 overlaps the absorber, and its position is likely to be stable. To ensure the stability of the base points of the leak - proof gathers 70, for example, even when the absorbent article is pressed by a leg or the like, the absorbent article 1 can secure the height at which the leak - proof gathers 70 stand up, and the effect of suppressing lateral leakage by the leak - proof gathers 70 can be sustained. Note that the leak - proof joint portion 75 may overlap the absorber 30 in the natural state of the absorbent article. Preferably, at least the leak - proof joint portion 75 may overlap the absorbent core 31 in the thickness direction. The base points of the leak - proof gathers 70 are more likely to be stable.

[0054] In the front - rear direction L, the outer edge of the leak - proof elastic member 72 may be located outside the outer edge of the center elastic member 42. The front edge of the leak - proof elastic member 72 may be located in front of the front edge of the center elastic member 42, or the rear edge of the leak - proof elastic member 72 may be located behind the rear edge of the center elastic member 42. According to this aspect, the center gathers 40 locally bulge toward the skin side in a narrower range in the front - rear direction than the leak - proof gathers 70 and fit the excretory opening. Also, the leak - proof gathers bulge toward the skin side in a wider range in the front - rear direction than the center gathers, and can suppress lateral leakage over the entire absorbent article. In the present embodiment, the front edge of the leak - proof elastic member 72 is located in front of the front edge of the center elastic member 42, and the rear edge of the leak - proof elastic member 72 is located behind the rear edge of the center elastic member 42.

[0055] In the natural state of the absorbent article, the skin - side apex 70T of the leak - proof gathers 70 may be located closer to the skin side T1 than the skin - side apex 40T of the center gathers 40. According to this aspect, in the natural state of the absorbent article 1, since the height up to the skin - side apex 70T of the leak - proof gathers 70 is higher than the skin - side apex 40T of the center gathers, even when a large amount of body fluid is discharged and the body fluid flows along the surface of the skin side T1 of the topsheet 21, the body fluid can be blocked by the leak - proof gathers 70.

[0056] Regarding the measurement of the height in the natural state, it can be measured by the following method. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the measurement method. FIG. 6(a) is a view seen from the side in the axial direction A of the jig 201, and FIG. 6(b) is a view seen from above the jig 201. First, as shown in FIG. 6(a), a curved jig 201 obtained by cutting a paper tube with a diameter of 200 mm in half along a cross section extending in the axial direction A is prepared, and the apex of the jig 201 is fixed to the flat plate 202. The length of the jig 201 in the axial direction A is set to 30 mm as a reference for the crotch width of a woman. A pair of underwear fabrics (nylon, cotton, etc.) 205 having the same widthwise length as the widthwise length of the fastening portion 60 of the absorbent article 1 is fixed so as to straddle the arc edges of the jig 201. At this time, the central portion of the underwear fabric 205 is along the inner surface of the jig 201 but is not fixed to the jig 201. Next, the absorbent article 1 is taken out from the package, and the position is adjusted and fastened to the underwear fabric 205 on the jig 201 so that the center in the front-rear direction L of the absorbent article 1 overlaps with the fixing portion 206, creating a state where the absorbent article 1 curves along the inner surface of the jig 201. This state schematically shows the state where the absorbent article 1 is worn on the wearing article S and is the natural state of the present embodiment. Based on the flat plate 202 and the fixing portion 206 of the jig 201, the height up to the apex 70T of the leak-proof gather 70 and the height up to the apex 40T of the center gather 40 are compared, and it is determined that the higher one is located on the skin side T1.

[0057] In a pressing state where the widthwise length of the absorbent article 1 at the center in the front-rear direction of the absorbent article 1 in the natural state of the absorbent article 1 is 70% of the widthwise length of the absorbent article 1 at the center in the front-rear direction of the absorbent article 1, the apex 70T of the skin side T1 of the leak-proof gather 70 may be located closer to the skin side T1 than the apex 40T of the skin side T1 of the center gather 40. The absorbent article 1 is pressed by the legs during wearing, and its shape changes. In this pressing state, since the apex 70T of the leak-proof gather 70 is located closer to the skin side T1 than the apex 40T of the center gather 40, even if a large amount of body fluid is discharged and the body fluid flows along the surface of the skin side T1 of the topsheet 21, the body fluid can be blocked by the leak-proof gather 70.

[0058] The pressing state in which the length in the width direction of the absorbent article 1 at the center in the longitudinal direction L of the absorbent article 1 in the natural state is 70% of the length in the width direction of the absorbent article at the center in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article is defined as follows: The state where the absorbent article 1 is fixed to the jig 201 is regarded as the natural state. When the length in the width direction of the absorbent article 1 at the center in the longitudinal direction L of the absorbent article 1 in this natural state is set to 100, it is the state where the absorbent article is pressed so that the length in the width direction of the absorbent article at the center in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article becomes 70. As shown in FIG. 6(c), this pressing is performed by applying forces from both sides of the absorbent article 1 using the pressing jig 203. The pressing jig 203 may have a cylindrical shape with a rigidity higher than that of the absorbent article 1. The axial direction of the cylinder is along the thickness direction of the absorbent article 1, and the arc portion of the outer surface of the cylinder is arranged so as to contact the outer edge in the width direction W of the absorbent article 1 (that is, when the absorbent article 1 is viewed in plan view, the round outer shape of the cylinder can be visually recognized). The diameter of the cylinder is preferably shorter than the length in the longitudinal direction L of the absorbent article 1. For example, a cylinder with a diameter of 120 mm may be used. The pressing jigs 203 are arranged at intervals such that the distance in the width direction W is 30 cm with the absorbent article 1 sandwiched therebetween. The positions of the left and right cylinders in the longitudinal direction L are arranged to be the same position, and the apex 203T (the point closest to the absorbent article side) of the arc portion of the outer surface of the cylinder is arranged to hit the center in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article 1. The pressing jigs 203 are each moved inward in the width direction W so that the apex 203T of each pressing jig on the absorbent article side hits the outer edges on both sides of the absorbent article simultaneously. The pressing jig 203 is moved to a position where the length in the width direction of the absorbent article becomes 70.

[0059] As described above, the present invention has been described in detail using the above-described embodiments. However, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described in this specification. The present invention can be implemented in modified and changed forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description in this specification is for the purpose of illustration and has no restrictive meaning for the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0060] 1: Absorbent article 1CW: Center of article width 21: Topsheet 30: Absorbent body 40: Center gather 40T: Vertex 42: Center stretch member 45: First joint 46: Second joint 70: Leakage prevention gather 70T: Vertex 72: Leakage prevention stretch member 75: Leakage prevention joint 80: Squeezing part L: Front - rear direction NR: Non - joint area R10: Central area T: Thickness direction W: Width direction

Claims

1. A front-rear direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction that are perpendicular to each other, An absorber having an absorbent material, A topsheet disposed in a central region including the article width center that is the center in the width direction of the absorbent article and that contacts the skin of the wearer, An absorbent article comprising a center gather disposed between the topsheet and the absorber and raising the topsheet on the skin side in the central region, wherein The center gather has a center expansion and contraction member that expands and contracts at least in the front-rear direction, The center gather is joined to the topsheet at a pair of first joining portions located on both sides with respect to the article width center and is joined to the absorber at a pair of second joining portions located on both sides with respect to the article width center.

2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the center expansion and contraction member is disposed in a region between the pair of first joining portions in the width direction.

3. A non-joining region in which the topsheet and the center gather are not joined is provided between the pair of first joining portions, The absorbent article according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein at least a part of the center expansion and contraction member overlaps the non-joining region.

4. Having a pair of leak-proof gathers that stand up from the outer portion of the topsheet to the skin side due to contraction of the leak-proof expansion and contraction member, The leak-proof gathers stand up to the skin side with the side edges of the leak-proof joining portions joined to the topsheet as a base point, The absorbent article according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the side edges of the leak-proof joining portions are disposed outside the first joining portions in the width direction.

5. The absorbent article according to claim 4, wherein in the natural state of the absorbent article, the apex on the skin side of the leak-proof gather is located closer to the skin side than the apex on the skin side of the center gather.

6. In a pressing state in which the length in the width direction of the absorbent article at the center in the front-rear direction of the absorbent article is 70% with respect to the length in the width direction of the absorbent article at the center in the front-rear direction of the absorbent article in the natural state of the absorbent article, the apex on the skin side of the leak-proof gather is located closer to the skin side than the apex on the skin side of the center gather.

7. The absorbent article according to claim 4, wherein at least a part of the leak-proof joining portion overlaps the absorber in the thickness direction.

8. The absorbent article according to claim 4, wherein in the front-rear direction, an outer edge of the leak-proof elastic member is located outside an outer edge of the center elastic member.

9. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first joining portion is constituted by a squeezing portion obtained by squeezing the topsheet and the center gathers in the thickness direction.

10. The absorbent article according to claim 9, wherein the squeezing portion is arranged along the front-rear direction outside the center region in the width direction.

11. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the center elastic member is arranged so as to be biased forward with respect to the center in the front-rear direction of the absorbent article.

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