Pad cover

Abstract

To provide a pad cover for use with an absorbent pad detachably fixed thereto, the pad cover capable of bringing the absorbent pad into close contact with the wearer's skin with good fit.SOLUTION: A pad cover 3 is used in combination with an absorbent pad 2 to be worn on the crotch of a wearer and removably fixed to the non-skin-facing surface of the absorbent pad 2, where a dorsal waist section 10 in a dorsal region R disposed around the wearer's waist when being worn, includes a first stretchable part 11 located at the center in the lateral direction Y of the dorsal waist section 10 and having stretchability in the lateral direction Y, and a pair of second stretchable parts 12 and 12 located on both sides in the lateral direction Y of the first stretchable part 11 and having stretchability in the lateral direction Y. The second stretchable parts 12 and 12 have a higher elongation rate in the lateral direction Y than that of the first stretchable part 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pad cover that is used in combination with an absorption pad worn in the crotch of a wearer and is detachably fixed to the non-skin-facing surface of the absorption pad.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, a pad cover (hereinafter also simply referred to as "pad cover") that is used in combination with an absorption pad worn in the crotch of a wearer and is detachably fixed to the non-skin-facing surface of the absorption pad has attracted attention from the viewpoints of reducing environmental impact and economy. As an economic advantage of an assembled absorbent article using a pad cover, when only the absorption pad is soiled with excrement and the pad cover is not soiled, only the absorption pad can be replaced with a new one without discarding the entire absorbent article, and the pad cover can be reused after washing if necessary. In addition, an assembled absorbent article can reduce the amount of waste discharged after use compared to a normal non-assembled absorbent article in which a member (for example, an outer body) corresponding to the absorption pad and the pad cover is integrally fixed in a non-detachable manner, leading to a reduction in environmental impact.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a diaper cover having a waist support portion, a crotch support portion, a front support portion, and a waist circumference portion extending to the left and right of the waist support portion, and configured using a stretchable fabric. Patent Document 2 describes a reusable outer cover in which, in a rear stretch test of the entire product, the rear region has a greater elongation rate than the front region. Also, in a non-assembled absorbent article as in Patent Document 3, conventionally, for the purpose of preventing the absorbent body from being wrinkled, etc., in a region overlapping the absorbent body, the abdominal circumference elastic member is made partially discontinuous.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In an assembled absorbent article, since the absorbent pad is detachably fixed to the pad cover, compared with a non-assembled absorbent article in which the absorbent pad is integrated with the pad cover, the absorbent pad is more likely to be displaced due to the movement of the wearer. Even if the absorbent pad fits well and adheres closely to the proper position of the wearer at the beginning of wearing, the absorbent pad may be displaced from the proper position due to the subsequent movement of the wearer. Such displacement of the absorbent pad from the proper position may create a gap between the skin of the wearer and the absorbent pad, which may induce leakage of excrement. Therefore, in an assembled absorbent article, there is an increasing demand for a pad cover that can closely adhere the absorbent pad to the skin of the wearer and suppress the occurrence of a gap between the absorbent pad and the skin due to the body shape and movement of the wearer. A technique capable of solving the specific problems of a pad cover used in such an assembled absorbent article has not yet been provided.

[0006] The problem of the present invention relates to providing a pad cover in which an absorbent pad is detachably fixed and used, and which can closely adhere the absorbent pad to the skin of the wearer.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The present invention is a pad cover that is used in combination with an absorbent pad worn between the legs of a wearer and is detachably fixed to the non-skin-facing surface of the absorbent pad. In one embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention, the pad cover has a longitudinal direction corresponding to the front-back direction of the wearer and a transverse direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, and has a ventral side portion disposed on the ventral side of the wearer during wearing, a dorsal side portion disposed on the dorsal side of the wearer during wearing, and a crotch portion located between the ventral side portion and the dorsal side portion. In one embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention, the dorsal waist portion disposed around the waist of the wearer during wearing in the dorsal side portion is located at the central portion in the transverse direction of the dorsal waist portion, and has a first elastic portion having elasticity in the transverse direction and a pair of second elastic portions located on both sides in the transverse direction of the first elastic portion and having elasticity in the transverse direction. Preferably, the second elastic portion has a higher elongation rate in the transverse direction than the first elastic portion. Other features, effects, and embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, there are provided a pad cover capable of closely adhering an absorbent pad to the skin of a wearer with good fitness, and an absorbent article using the pad cover and the absorbent pad.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings based on its preferred embodiments. In the plurality of drawings, the same parts are denoted by common reference numerals. The drawings are basically schematic, and dimensions, the dimensional ratio between a part and other parts, etc. may be different from the actual ones.

[0011] FIG. 1 shows a pad cover 3 which is an embodiment of the pad cover of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 and 3 show a diaper 1 composed of the pad cover 3 and an absorption pad 2. The diaper 1 is an embodiment of the absorbent article (assembled absorbent article) of the present invention. The pad cover 3 is a sheet-like member that supports the absorbent pad 2 from the side of its non-skin-facing surface 2b (see FIG. 7) in the state of wearing the diaper 1 as shown in FIG. 3, and does not include a member such as the absorber 23 described later that the absorbent pad 2 has and can absorb and hold excrement.

[0012] In the present invention, the "skin-facing surface" refers to the surface of the pad cover 3, the diaper 1 (absorbent article), and their constituent members that is directed toward the wearer's skin side when the pad cover 3 is worn, that is, the side relatively close to the wearer's skin, and the "non-skin-facing surface" refers to the surface of the pad cover 3, the diaper 1 (absorbent article), and their constituent members that is directed to the side opposite to the skin side when the pad cover 3 is worn, that is, the side relatively far from the wearer's skin.

[0013] The pad cover 3 has a longitudinal direction X corresponding to the front-back direction of the wearer and a lateral direction Y orthogonal to the longitudinal direction X. The longitudinal direction X corresponds to the direction extending from the ventral side of the wearer through the crotch to the dorsal side. The pad cover 3 also has a ventral part F disposed on the ventral side of the wearer when worn, a dorsal part R disposed on the dorsal side of the wearer when worn, and a sub-crotch part M located between the ventral part F and the dorsal part R. The sub-crotch part M includes an excretion part facing part (not shown) that is disposed to face the excretion part (penis, anus, etc.) of the wearer's urine or feces when the pad cover 3 is worn. The ventral part F, the sub-crotch part M, and the dorsal part R can be each region when the pad cover 3 in the unfolded and extended state is divided into three equal parts in the longitudinal direction X.

[0014] In the present invention, the "unfolded and extended state" refers to a state in which the pad cover is spread out flat to be in an unfolded state and then each part of the pad cover is extended until there are no wrinkles visually.

[0015] In this embodiment, the pad cover 3 has a pair of projecting portions 3R1, 3R1 on the dorsal portion R. The pad cover 3 has the maximum length in the lateral direction Y at the positions where the pair of projecting portions 3R1, 3R1 are arranged, and the projecting portion 3R1 extends outward in the lateral direction Y beyond other portions (the thigh portion M and the ventral portion F) of the pad cover 3. The projecting portions 3R1, 3R1 are arranged around the wearer's torso during wearing and are fixed to the ventral portion F, so as to serve as a belt for fixing the pad cover 3 and the absorption pad 2 supported thereby to the lower body of the wearer (see FIG. 3).

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the dorsal waist portion 10 arranged around the wearer's waist during wearing at the dorsal portion R of the pad cover 3 is located at the central portion in the lateral direction Y of the dorsal waist portion 10, and has a first stretchable portion 11 having stretchability in the lateral direction Y, and a pair of second stretchable portions 12, 12 located on both sides in the lateral direction Y of the first stretchable portion 11 and having stretchability in the lateral direction Y. The second stretchable portions 12, 12 have a higher elongation rate in the lateral direction Y than the first stretchable portion 11. The first stretchable portion 11 and the second stretchable portions 12, 12 are arranged at the torso portion of the wearer, and the lateral direction Y of the wearer's torso is likely to be subjected to tension due to various movements of the wearer. In the pad cover 3 of this embodiment, the first stretchable portion 11 located at the central portion in the lateral direction Y of the dorsal portion R is less likely to stretch in the lateral direction Y than the second stretchable portions 12 located on both sides in the lateral direction Y. Due to this, in the wearing state of the diaper 1 as shown in FIG. 3, when a tension in the lateral direction Y is generated in the second stretchable portions 12, 12, a force that presses this against the first stretchable portion 11 sandwiched between them to the dorsal side of the wearer acts, whereby the portion of the absorption pad 2 overlapping with the first stretchable portion 11 (the dorsal portion R of the absorption pad 2) can closely adhere to the dorsal waist portion of the wearer with good fitness. Generally, since the wearer of the absorbent article has a body shape with the ventral side protruding more than the dorsal side, a gap is likely to occur between the absorbent article and the dorsal side during wearing. According to the pad cover of the present invention represented by the pad cover 3 of the present embodiment, with the above configuration, the back side portion R of the pad cover 3 is made to follow the movement of the wearer, and the fit of the portion of the absorption pad 2 used in combination with the pad cover 3, particularly from the back side portion R to the crotch portion M, to the skin of the wearer is improved, generation of a gap between the portion and the skin of the wearer is suppressed, and leakage of excrement and the like can be suppressed.

[0017] In this specification, "stretchability" refers to the property of being able to stretch when a stretching force is applied and contracting when the stretching force is released. Also, the elongation rate is measured by the following method.

[0018] <Method for Measuring Elongation Rate> Cut out a rectangular shape in plan view with a length of 10 cm in the longitudinal direction and a length of 5 cm in the short transverse direction from the sheet to be evaluated to obtain a measurement sample. The longitudinal direction of the measurement sample is the direction for evaluating the presence or absence of stretchability. For example, when evaluating whether there is stretchability in the lateral direction Y, the lateral direction Y is set as the longitudinal direction of the measurement sample. Set the measurement sample between a pair of chucks (5 cm) of an autograph tensile tester (manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation, product name "AG-X") so that the longitudinal direction of the measurement sample coincides with the tensile direction. Then, the measurement sample is stretched by increasing the distance between the chucks at a constant speed (200 mm / min), the distance between the chucks when the load value reaches 14.7 N is measured, and the elongation rate of the measurement sample is calculated by the following formula (1). Elongation rate (%) = {(C1 - C0) / C0} × 100 …(1) In the above formula (1), "C1" refers to the distance between the chucks when the load on the measurement sample is 14.7 N, and "C0" refers to the distance between the chucks before the start of elongation of the measurement sample (initial distance between the chucks). The measurement of the elongation rate is performed at 23°C. When the sampling area is less than the size of 10 cm in the longitudinal direction and 5 cm in the short transverse direction, set and measure so that the length in the short transverse direction and the distance between the chucks are the same length. The length in the longitudinal direction is the length obtained by adding the portion chucked in the short transverse direction. When comparing the elongation rates of the two regions, if either region is smaller than a size of 10 cm in the longitudinal direction and 5 cm in the short transverse direction, the sample sizes of the two regions shall be adjusted to match the size of the smaller region.

[0019] For example, the dorsal waist portion 10 can be a region extending from the outer end in the longitudinal direction X of the dorsal part R to a position that is one-fifth of the longitudinal direction X length of the pad cover 3 (hereinafter also referred to as the "uppermost region"). Among the region extending from the outer end in the longitudinal direction X of the dorsal part R to a position that is one-fifth of the longitudinal direction X length of the pad cover 3 (hereinafter the "uppermost region"), a rectangular portion corresponding to the middle one-fifth length when the transverse direction Y length of the uppermost region is reduced by one-fifth (hereinafter the "first portion"), and a portion (the second portion) of the uppermost region that extends from the outer end in the transverse direction Y of the uppermost region to a position that is one-fifth of the transverse direction Y length of the region. When measuring samples of the same shape for the elongation rate from each and measuring the elongation rate, it is preferable that the elongation rate of the sample of the first portion is higher than that of the sample of the second portion.

[0020] As will be described later, when the pad cover 3 has a stretchable end sheet 31 and / or an elastic member 39 (see FIG. 1 etc.) that covers the peripheral edge of the cover body 30, the elongation rate shall be measured after removing the end sheet 31 and the elastic member 39. This also applies when measuring the elongation rate of a part of the pad cover 3 other than the dorsal part R. As the elastic member 39, a filamentous one (such as thread rubber) or a strip-shaped one with a predetermined width (such as flat rubber) can be used.

[0021] From the point of making the above effects more excellent, the elongation rate in the transverse direction Y of the first stretchable portion 11 is preferably 10 to 150%, and more preferably 20 to 120%. Also, the elongation rate in the transverse direction Y of the second stretchable portion 12 is preferably 60 to 250%, and more preferably 80 to 200%. Also, the difference between the elongation rate N1 in the transverse direction Y of the first stretchable portion 11 and the elongation rate N2 in the transverse direction Y of the second stretchable portion 12 is preferably 20 to 200%, and more preferably 40 to 150%.

[0022] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the composite vector direction V1 of the elongation ratios in the longitudinal direction X and the lateral direction Y of the first telescopic part 11 is different from the composite vector direction V2 of the elongation ratios in the longitudinal direction X and the lateral direction Y of the first telescopic part 11 of the second telescopic part 12. With such a configuration, the tension applied to the second telescopic part 12 can be converted into a tension in a different direction in the first telescopic part 11, so that the first telescopic part 11 can be configured to have higher followability with respect to the wearer's skin elongation, movement, body shape, etc.

[0023] For example, as shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, among the angles formed by the composite vector direction V2 and the lateral direction Y of the second telescopic part 12, the acute angle side angle Θ2 is smaller than the acute angle side angle Θ1 among the angles formed by the composite vector direction V1 and the lateral direction Y of the first telescopic part 11. Due to the fact that the pad cover 3 is likely to be tensioned in the body circumference direction, the direction of the tension applied to the second telescopic part 12 has a relatively large ratio of the lateral direction Y component. According to the above configuration, since the tension in the direction with a relatively high ratio of the Y component in the second telescopic parts 12 can be converted into a tension in the direction with a relatively high ratio of the longitudinal direction X component in the first telescopic part 11, the first telescopic part 11 is likely to extend in the longitudinal direction X. Combining with the effect that the first telescopic part 11 described above is likely to be pressed against the wearer's back side, the followability of the pad cover 3 to the wearer's skin can be improved. In particular, it will be excellent in followability to the wearer's skin in operations such as bending the waist.

[0024] From the point of making the above effects more excellent, Θ1 is preferably 45 to 85°, more preferably 55 to 80°. Also, Θ2 is preferably 5 to 45°, more preferably 10 to 35°. Furthermore, the difference (Θ2 - Θ1) between Θ2 and Θ1 is preferably 20° or more, more preferably 30° or more. The upper limit of (Θ2 - Θ1) is preferably, for example, 80° or less, more preferably 70° or less. It should be noted that the composite vector direction is obtained by measuring the elongation ratios in the longitudinal direction X and the lateral direction Y respectively and obtaining the ratio of the elongation ratios.

[0025] In the present embodiment, each of the pair of second expandable portions 12, 12 has an extending portion 13, 13 that extends in the lateral direction Y more than the lower thigh portion M. In the present embodiment, the extending portions 13, 13 include at least the tip side in the lateral direction Y of the protruding portions 3R1, 3R1 and occupy substantially the entire area of the protruding portions 3R1, 3R1. Substantially the entire area means, for example, 80% or more, may be 90% or more, or may be 100%. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the protruding portions 3R1, 3R1 are included in the extending portions 13, 13. However, as will be described later, the present invention is not limited to this form, and a part of the protruding portions 3R1, 3R1 may not correspond to the extending portion 13 (second expandable portion 12). Examples where a part of the protruding portions 3R1, 3R1 does not correspond to the extending portion 13 (second expandable portion 12) include, for example, when a very narrow region at the tip of the protruding portions 3R1, 3R1 has the same expandability as the first expandable portion 11 (see FIG. 9 below). Also, when a part of the protruding portions 3R1, 3R1 inside in the lateral direction Y corresponds to the first expandable portion 11 (see FIG. 10 below), etc.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 4, the extending portion 13 has a pair of longitudinal ends 13A, 13B extending in the lateral direction Y. More specifically, the pair of longitudinal ends 13A, 13B is composed of a longitudinal outer end 13B relatively far from the lower thigh portion M and a longitudinal inner end 13A relatively close to the lower thigh portion M. The composite vector direction V2 of the second expandable portion 12 being close to the extending direction 13K of the inner end 13A in the longitudinal direction X of the extending portion 13 is preferable because the second expandable portion 12 easily extends in the same direction as the inner end 13A in the longitudinal direction X of the extending portion 13, so that it is difficult for pulling or wrinkles to occur around the foot, and the pad cover 3 easily fits around the wearer's foot. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a gap between the wearer's foot and the diaper 1.

[0027] From the above viewpoints, it is preferable that the absolute value of the difference between the angle Θ2 of the second expandable portion 12 and the angle Θ3 on the acute angle side among the angles formed by the extending direction 13K of the inner end 13A of the extending portion 13 and the lateral direction Y is within 30°, more preferably within 25°, still more preferably within 20°, and particularly preferably within 15°. Here, when the inner end 13A of the extension part 13 in the longitudinal direction X is curved, the extending direction 13K can be the average value of the angles between the tangents at all inflection points located on the inner end 13A of the extension part 13 and the lateral direction Y. Also, Θ3 is preferably from 0 to 50°, more preferably from 5 to 40°.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 5, in the present embodiment, the dorsal waist part 10 is configured by connecting the constituent member 30F of the first stretching part 11 and the constituent members 30E and 30G of the second stretching part 12 via the connecting parts 32A and 32A, respectively. The connecting parts 32A and 32A preferably extend along the periphery of at least one of the constituent members 30G or 30E and 30F that are connected via the connecting parts 32A and 32A, respectively. Thereby, the tension is easily transmitted between the first stretching part 11 and the second stretching parts 12 and 12, and the absorption pad 2 used in combination with the pad cover 3 has excellent fit. From the viewpoint of further improving the effect of improving the fit of the absorption pad 2 by the pad cover 3, in particular, it is preferable that the two connecting parts 32A and 32A extend along the side edges extending in the direction having the longitudinal direction X component of at least one of the constituent members 30E, 30G and the constituent member 30F, and it is more preferable that the connecting parts 32A and 32A extend along both side edges extending in the direction having the longitudinal direction X component of the constituent member 30F.

[0029] Each of the constituent members 30E, 30G, and 30F is composed of one or a plurality of sheets, and in the present embodiment, each is composed of one sheet. The connecting means between the constituent member 30E or 30G and the constituent member 30F in the connecting parts 32A and 32A is not particularly limited, and examples include sewing, adhesion with an adhesive, and fusion bonding. In the present embodiment, sewing is adopted. When sewing is adopted, the connecting parts 32A and 32A are the sewing lines where the constituent member 30F to be connected and the constituent member 30E or 30G and 30F are sewn together. In addition, unless otherwise specified in this specification, the description of the stretchability and elongation rate of each part in the pad cover 3 can be directly applied to the stretchability and elongation rate of the constituent members that make it up. Also, since the connecting means of the connecting parts 32B, 32C, 32X described below and the adopted mode in this embodiment are the same as those of the connecting part 32A, this point will be omitted in the following description.

[0030] It is preferable that the constituent member 30F, and the constituent members 30G and 30E are arranged with the same kind of fabric having different elongation rates in two directions perpendicular to each other and parallel to the ground surface, with their directions changed, because it is excellent in the transferability of tension, easy to reduce costs, and easy to connect the fabrics. Here, the same kind of fabric means that the raw material fibers and the weaving method (or knitting method) are the same. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. The constituent member 30F, and the constituent members 30G and 30E may be composed of fabrics having different fiber densities from each other or fabrics having different basis weights from each other. Alternatively, the constituent member 30F, and the constituent members 30G and 30E may be made to have different numbers of fabric layers from each other so as to constitute a first stretchable part 11 and a second stretchable part 12 having different elongation rates in the lateral direction Y. The constituent member constituting the back side part R is preferably a sheet having water absorption and quick-drying properties in terms of preventing stuffiness due to contact with the skin of the wearer.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 4, it is preferable that the connecting portion 32A extends in a direction orthogonal to the direction of the composite vector V2 of the elongation rate of the second telescopic portion 12. By configuring in this way, the tension applied to the second telescopic portion 12 is favorably transmitted to the first telescopic portion 11, and the force that presses the first telescopic portion 11 against the wearer's skin easily acts. When the connecting portion 32A is a curved line or a bent line, the extending direction of the connecting portion 32A refers to the tangential direction 32J of the connecting portion 32A at the intersection point J between the straight line extended from the tip 13Y in the lateral direction Y of the extending portion 13 to the opposite side of the composite vector direction V2 and the connecting portion 32A. Also, the orthogonality referred to here means that the angle formed by the extending direction of the connecting portion 32A and the composite vector direction V2 of the elongation rate of the second telescopic portion is within the range of 90 ± 10°, and more preferably within the range of 90 ± 5°.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, it is preferable that the component member 30F of the first telescopic portion 11 has a shorter lateral direction Y length Lo at the outer end 30Fo in the longitudinal direction X than the lateral direction Y length Li at the inner end 30Fi in the longitudinal direction X. Thereby, since the tension is more likely to be applied to the outer end portion in the longitudinal direction X of the pad cover 3 having a narrow length in the lateral direction Y, a gap between the upper end portion on the back side of the pad cover 3 and the wearer's skin is less likely to occur when the pad cover 3 is worn, and the fitting property can be effectively improved. From the point of making the above-described effect due to the relationship of length Lo < length Li more excellent, the lateral direction Y length Li is preferably 110 to 200% with respect to the lateral direction Y length Lo, and more preferably 130 to 170%.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 4, the first stretchable part 11 of the dorsal waist part 10 has a lower elongation rate in the lateral direction Y than the second stretchable part 12 as described above, while having stretchability in the longitudinal direction X. This is preferable in that the first stretchable part 11 can fit closely to the wearer's skin without any gap and can easily stretch following the movements of the wearer, etc., thus further improving the fit of the pad cover 3. In particular, it is preferable that the lower thigh side part 15 located at least outside the lateral direction Y of the lower thigh part M has a lower elongation rate in the longitudinal direction X than the first stretchable part 11. The lower thigh side part 15 is one side in the lateral direction Y when the lower thigh part M of the pad cover 3 is divided into three equal parts in the lateral direction Y. According to this configuration, since the lower thigh part M is less likely to stretch in the longitudinal direction X, when excretion such as feces or urine occurs during wearing, it is possible to effectively prevent the lower thigh part M of the pad cover 3 from sagging due to the weight of the absorption pad 3 and creating a gap between the diaper 1 and the wearer's skin, and prevent leakage of excreta, etc. The lower thigh side part 15 may or may not have stretchability in the longitudinal direction X, but it is preferable to have stretchability in the longitudinal direction X in that the followability to the movements of the wearer is good. From the point of further enhancing the above effects, the elongation rate of the lower thigh side part 15 in the longitudinal direction X is preferably 5 - 120%, and more preferably 10 - 100%.

[0034] When confirming that the elongation rate of the lower thigh side part 15 in the longitudinal direction X is lower than that of the first stretchable part 11, at least one of the outer parts on both sides in the lateral direction Y when the lower thigh part M of the pad cover 3 in the unfolded and stretched state is divided into three equal parts in the lateral direction Y may be cut out, the elongation rate of the part may be measured by the above method, and it may be confirmed that it is lower than the first stretchable part 11. Preferably, the elongation rates of the two lower thigh side parts 15, 15 respectively located on both sides in the lateral direction Y of the lower thigh part M in the longitudinal direction X are lower than the first stretchable part 11.

[0035] The lower thigh part M may be configured such that the whole of it, including the lower thigh side parts 15, 15, has the same stretchability. Alternatively, the lower thigh part M may be configured to have different stretchabilities between the lower thigh side parts 15, 15 and the lower thigh central part 14 which is the region sandwiched by the lower thigh side parts 15, 15 in the lateral direction Y.

[0036] In the present embodiment, it is preferable that the heat retention property of the lower thigh part M is lower than that of the ventral part F and / or the dorsal part R, and more preferably lower than that of the ventral part F and the dorsal part R. With such a configuration, it is possible to effectively reduce the stuffiness of the lower thigh part M, which has a large amount of moisture and is prone to stuffiness. Further, in the present invention, it is preferable that the heat retention property of the central part 14 of the inseam is lower than that of the side parts 15, 15 of the inseam. By configuring in this way, it is easier to make the side parts 15, 15 of the inseam have higher rigidity than the central part 14 of the inseam, and it is possible to achieve both the fitting improvement effect due to the elongation rate in the longitudinal direction X of the side part 15 of the inseam being lower than that of the first expansion and contraction part 11 and the effect related to the above heat retention property. In the present embodiment, the constituent member 30C of the central part 14 of the inseam is formed of a mesh fabric. The mesh fabric is a sheet-like cloth in which a plurality of through holes are scattered. On the other hand, the constituent members A, B, D to G are formed of a cloth material having a higher density than the mesh fabric, and the above-mentioned relationship of heat retention property can be realized.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, in the present embodiment, the connecting part 32A is adjacent to the first expansion and contraction part 11 in the inner direction of the lateral direction Y, and is adjacent to the side part 15 of the inseam in the inner direction of the longitudinal direction X with respect to the first expansion and contraction part 11. The connecting part 32A extends along the inner side of the lateral direction Y in the constituent members 30E and G of the second expansion and contraction part 12, and further extends inward in the longitudinal direction X with respect to the first expansion and contraction part 11 to connect the constituent members 30E and G of the second expansion and contraction part 12 and the constituent member 30D of the side part 15 of the inseam. It is preferable that the side part 15 of the inseam adjacent to the connecting part 32A in the inner direction of the lateral direction Y has elasticity in the lateral direction Y. In particular, it is preferable that the elongation rate in the lateral direction Y is higher than that of the first expansion and contraction part 11. According to such a configuration, when the extending part 13 is extended in the lateral direction Y, the side part 15 of the inseam is also likely to extend in the lateral direction Y, so that the fitting property of the diaper 1 can be easily improved.

[0038] In particular, as shown in FIG. 4, the lower thigh side portion 15 preferably has an absolute value of the difference between the acute angle side angle Θ5 between the synthetic vector direction V5 of the elongation rates in the longitudinal direction X and the lateral direction Y and the lateral direction Y and the angle Θ3 within 30°, more preferably within 25°, still more preferably within 20°, and particularly preferably within 15°. With this configuration, the effect of improving the fit of the diaper 1 due to the extensibility of the lower thigh side portion 15 in the lateral direction Y can be enhanced more effectively. From the viewpoint of further enhancing the above effect, the elongation rate of the lower thigh side portion 15 in the lateral direction Y is preferably 60 to 200%, and more preferably 80 to 180%.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 5, in the present embodiment, the lower thigh portion M is composed of the constituent members 30B, 30C, and 30D arranged in parallel in the lateral direction Y. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the constituent member 30C is connected by two connecting portions 32X, 32X located between the constituent members 30B and 30D, respectively. The two connecting portions 32X, 32X located between the constituent member 30C and the constituent members 30B, 30D extend in the longitudinal direction X along both side edges along the longitudinal direction X of the constituent member 30C (see FIGS. 1 and 5). In the present embodiment, the constituent member 30C constitutes the lower thigh central portion 14, and the constituent members 30B and 30D constitute the lower thigh side portions 15, 15. The constituent members 30B, 30C, and 30D are each composed of one or more sheets, and in the present embodiment, each is composed of one sheet. As shown in FIG. 1, the constituent members 30B, 30C, and 30D may each extend to the ventral side portion F and / or the dorsal side portion R in the longitudinal direction X.

[0040] On the back side R side of the constituent members 30B and 30D that constitute the lower thigh side portions 15, 15, the side opposite to the lateral direction Y with respect to the connecting portion 32X is connected to the inside in the longitudinal direction X of the constituent members 30E and 30G that constitute the second telescopic portion 12 by the connecting portions 32A, 32A. Further, on the back side R side of the constituent members 30B, 30C, and 30D that constitute the lower thigh portion M, it is connected to the constituent member 30F that constitutes the first telescopic portion 11 by a connecting portion 32B (which may be described as "second connecting portion" in this specification). In the example shown in FIG. 1, the connecting portion 32B is linear and extends in the lateral direction Y.

[0041] It is preferable that the ventral portion F has a portion having stretchability in the lateral direction Y at least on the outer side in the longitudinal direction X in terms of improving the fit, and more preferably, it has a portion having a higher elongation rate in the lateral direction Y than the first telescopic portion 11 at least on the outer side in the longitudinal direction X. With this configuration, in the ventral portion F, on the outer side in the longitudinal direction X that is arranged around the torso during wearing, it extends in the lateral direction Y, so that the followability with respect to the movements of the wearer can be enhanced.

[0042] That the ventral portion F has a portion having an elongation rate in the lateral direction Y larger than that of the first telescopic portion 11 at least on the outer side in the longitudinal direction X may be confirmed by measuring the elongation rate with a test piece taken from a region extending from the outer end in the longitudinal direction X of the ventral portion F to a position that is one-sixth of the longitudinal length X of the pad cover 3. Hereinafter, among the ventral portion F, the portion located on the outer side in the longitudinal direction X and arranged around the torso during wearing is also referred to as the ventral waist portion 16. In the present embodiment, the ventral waist portion 16 is a portion having stretchability in the lateral direction Y and having an elongation rate in the lateral direction Y larger than that of the first telescopic portion 11. The ventral waist portion 16 may or may not have stretchability in the longitudinal direction X, and when it has stretchability, the elongation rate in the longitudinal direction X may be equal to, larger than, or smaller than that of the first telescopic portion 11 and the lower thigh side portion 15.

[0043] Further, the ventral waist portion 16 may have the same elongation rate, a larger elongation rate, or a smaller elongation rate in the lateral direction Y than the second stretchable portion 12. Further, compared with the lower thigh side portion 15, the elongation rate in the lateral direction Y may be the same, larger, or smaller. In the present embodiment, the ventral waist portion 16 has a smaller elongation rate in the lateral direction Y than the second stretchable portion 12 and the lower thigh side portion 15. In addition, in the examples shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 5, although the joint portion 38, which is a suture line, is formed in the ventral waist portion 16, it is acceptable that the suture line is included in the test piece for measuring the elongation rate.

[0044] It is preferable that the number of laminated sheets of the sheet constituting the ventral portion F is larger than the number of laminated sheets of the sheet constituting the dorsal portion R in order to enhance the heat retention property of the ventral portion F. As shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 5, the constituent member 30A constituting the ventral waist portion 16 is composed of one or a plurality of sheets. In the present embodiment, it is composed of a plurality of sheets, specifically two sheets. On the other hand, as described above, in the present embodiment, the first stretchable portion 11, the second stretchable portion 12, the lower thigh central portion 14, and the lower thigh side portion 15 constituting the dorsal portion R all have a single-layer structure with a constituent member composed of one sheet.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 5, in the present embodiment, among the constituent members 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D, 30E, 30F, and 30G constituting the cover body 30, only the constituent member 30A constituting the ventral portion F has a laminated structure, and the other constituent members have a single-layer structure. Since the constituent member 30A has a laminated structure, it is superior in heat retention property compared to the other constituent members having a single-layer structure. Therefore, the diaper 1 can have an effect of being excellent in heat retention property of the ventral portion F where the constituent member 30A is disposed and being difficult to cool the abdomen of the wearer. The constituent member 30A is connected to the ventral portion F side of the constituent members 30D, 30C, and 30B constituting the crotch portion M at the connecting portion 32C (which may be described as "the third connecting portion" in this specification). In the example shown in FIG. 1, the connecting portion 32C is linear and extends in the lateral direction Y.

[0046] The laminated structure of the component 30A includes a skin-side sheet 36 that forms the skin-facing surface of the ventral part F of the pad cover 3 and a non-skin-side sheet 37 that forms the non-skin-facing surface of the ventral part F. The skin-side sheet 36 may be made of a common stretchable cloth of the components 30B, 30D, 30E, 30F and / or 30G that constitute the cover body 30. The non-skin-side sheet 37 is made of a stretchable cloth. The non-skin-side sheet 37 is a sheet to which the fastening member 34 described later can be fastened, and can be, for example, a stretchable pile fabric or the like. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, the skin-side sheet 36 and the non-skin-side sheet 37 are joined at a joining portion 38. In the component 30A, a plurality of linearly-shaped joining portions 38 extending in the longitudinal direction X are intermittently arranged in the lateral direction Y. The joining means between the two sheets 36 and 37 at the joining portion 38 is not particularly limited, and examples include sewing, adhesion with an adhesive, and fusion bonding. In this embodiment, sewing is adopted. Thus, since the ventral part F has a structure in which a plurality of sheets are intermittently joined, it can contain air and can be made to have better heat retention. Furthermore, by using sheets with different lateral stretchabilities for the skin-side sheet 36 and the non-skin-side sheet 37, more air can be enclosed and it can be made to have better heat retention. Further, it is preferable that the joining portion 38 between the skin-side sheet 36 and the non-skin-side sheet 37 is formed by sewing and the thread used for sewing is made different from the color of the non-skin-side sheet. When configured in this way, the joining portion 38 can be visually recognized from the non-skin side of the pad cover 3, and serves as a guide for the positions where the fastening members 34, 34 of the overhanging portions 3R1, 3R1 of the dorsal part R described later are fastened to the ventral part F of the pad cover 3, making it easier to adjust to a position suitable for the wearer. Thereby, the effect of improving the fit can be obtained more stably. In this case, it is preferable that one pair or a plurality of pairs of the joining portions 38 between the skin-side sheet 36 and the non-skin-side sheet 37 are arranged at positions symmetric with respect to a straight line (not shown) parallel to the longitudinal direction Y that bisects the lateral width Y of the pad cover 3. Also, if the color of the thread used for sewing is made different according to the distance from the straight line, the fastening position becomes easier to understand.

[0047] The pad cover 3 preferably has a lower shrinkage rate in the longitudinal direction X than the absorption pad 2. In this case, immediately after wearing the diaper 1, the shrinkage force of the absorption pad 2 can make it difficult to create a gap around the feet, and as feces and the like are discharged, the weight and thickness of the absorption pad 2 increase, and when it is about to sag, the shrinkage force of the pad cover 3 acts to suppress the sagging of the absorption pad 2. The shrinkage rates of the pad cover 3 and the absorption pad 2 in the longitudinal direction X are determined based on the lengths in the state where the pad cover 3 and the absorption pad 2 are folded in half longitudinally with the non-skin-facing surfaces 3b and 2b facing outward, as shown in FIG. 6. Folding in half longitudinally means folding in half with a fold line that is parallel to the longitudinal direction X and bisects the length in the transverse direction Y. The pad cover 3 and the absorption pad 2 are left in a natural state on an acrylic plate surface in the state of being folded in half longitudinally. In that state, the ratios of the straight-line distances L2d and L3d at both ends of the fold line to the lengths L2r and L3r of the pad cover 3 and the absorption pad 2 in the unfolded and stretched states are defined as the shrinkage rates S3 and S2 of the pad cover 3 and the absorption pad 2, respectively, as shown in the following formula. S3 = L3d / L3r × 100 (%) S2 = L2d / L2r × 100 (%) The measurement of the shrinkage rate is carried out at 23°C.

[0048] In order for the absorption pad 2 and the pad cover 3 to have the above-described relationship regarding the shrinkage rate, with respect to the elasticity in the longitudinal direction Y caused by the expansion and contraction of the side elastic members 25 linearly arranged in the longitudinal direction X along the side edges of the absorber 23 of the absorption pad 2 described later, a method of adjusting the elasticity in the longitudinal direction Y on both sides in the transverse direction Y of the pad cover 3 to be gentle can be mentioned. For example, a method of not arranging elastic members that expand and contract in the longitudinal direction Y on both sides in the transverse direction Y of the pad cover 3, or a method of using an elastic member arranged in the longitudinal direction Y that has a smaller expansion and contraction force in the longitudinal direction Y than the side elastic members of the absorption pad 2, or a method of reducing the number of filamentous elastic members arranged in the longitudinal direction Y in the pad cover 3 compared to the absorption pad 2, etc. can be mentioned. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the present embodiment, the pad cover 3 is arranged with elastic members 39, 39 covered by an end sheet 31 described later on both sides in the transverse direction Y.

[0049] The shrinkage rate S3(%) of the pad cover 3 is preferably 70 to 98%, more preferably 80 to 95%. Further, the shrinkage rate S2(%) of the absorption pad 2 is preferably 50 to 90%, more preferably 60 to 80%. Also, the value of S3 - S2 is preferably 10 to 40%, more preferably 15 to 35%.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 2, the absorption pad 2 has bending lines B1 and B2 that cross the absorption pad 2 in the lateral direction Y. The bending lines B1 and B2 are bending lines used when folding the absorption pad 2 in the longitudinal direction X. For example, when the absorption pad 2 is housed in a packaging package, the absorption pad 2 is folded into three in the longitudinal direction X at the two bending lines B1 and B2. When the pad cover 3 fixes the absorption pad 2, it is preferable that the bending lines B1 and B2 of the absorption pad 2 do not overlap with the second connecting portion 32B and the third connecting portion 32C in the pad cover 3. FIG. 2 shows a state where the absorption pad 2 is fixed at an appropriate position in the pad cover 3. In FIG. 2, the connecting portions 32B and 32C are located outside the bending lines B1 and B2 in the longitudinal direction X. The connecting portion 32 is likely to have high rigidity among the pad cover 3. Since the bending lines B1 and B2 of the absorption pad 2 are also likely to have high rigidity, if the connecting portions 32B and 32C of the pad cover 3 overlap with the folds of the absorption pad 2, the followability of the pad cover 3 may decrease with respect to the shape of the absorption pad 2 along the longitudinal direction X, and there is a risk that the fit of the pad cover 3 due to the bending lines B1 and B2 of the absorption pad 2 may decrease. However, by adopting a configuration in which the bending lines B1 and B2 do not overlap with the connecting portions 32B and 32C of the pad cover 3, the pad cover 3 can easily follow the shape of the absorption pad 2 without gaps in the crotch portion M, and accordingly, the fit of the pad cover 3 to the skin of the wearer can be improved. In the example shown in FIG. 2, two bending lines B1 and B2 that cross the absorption pad 2 in the lateral direction Y are formed, but it may be one or three or more.

[0051] Next, other aspects of the pad cover 3 of the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 and the like, on the skin-facing surface 3a at the end in the lateral direction Y of each of the pair of protruding portions 3R1, 3R1 of the dorsal portion R, a fastening member 34 used when wearing the pad cover 3 is disposed.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, the pad cover 3 includes a cover body 30 and a stretchable end sheet 31 that covers the peripheral edge of the cover body 30. In the illustrated form, the end sheet 31 covers the entire peripheral edge of the cover body 30. The cover body 30 is a sheet-like member that forms the main body of the pad cover 3 and forms the planar shape of the pad cover 3. The end sheet 31 is continuous from the skin-facing surface 3a to the non-skin-facing surface 3b of the cover body 30 and has a C shape in a cross-sectional view along the thickness direction of the pad cover 3. The end sheet 31 has stretchability in a predetermined direction (for example, the longitudinal direction X and / or the lateral direction Y), and by covering the peripheral edge of the cover body 30 with the end sheet 31, it is possible to impart stretchability in an arbitrary direction to the peripheral edge.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 5, the cover body 30 is composed of seven constituent members 30A to G. The plurality of constituent members 30A to G that constitute the cover body 30 are each stretchable members having stretchability and are made of stretchable cloth. The plurality of constituent members 30A to G each have stretchability in both the longitudinal direction X and the lateral direction Y.

[0054] In the present embodiment, the pad cover 3 has a length in the lateral direction Y of the crotch portion M that is shorter than that of the ventral portion F and the dorsal portion R, and has a hourglass shape with a constricted portion in the crotch portion M in a plan view as shown in FIG. 2. Further, both side edges 3S, 3S along the longitudinal direction X of the pad cover 3 each have a curved portion 3S1 that is convexly curved inward in the lateral direction Y, and the curved portion 3S1 exists from the ventral portion F through the crotch portion M to the dorsal portion R. In the illustrated form, substantially all of the side edges 3S of the pad cover 3 are the curved portions 3S1.

[0055] On the skin-facing surface 3a of the pad cover 3, a fixing member 33 for detachably fixing the pad cover 3 to the non-skin-facing surface 2b of the absorption pad 2 is disposed. The fixing member 33 is typically disposed at positions corresponding to the corners (angular portions) of the absorption pad 2 on the skin-facing surface 3a of the pad cover 3. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the fixing member 33 is disposed at four locations corresponding to the four corners of the absorption pad 2 having a rectangular shape in plan view. In the present embodiment, one fixing member 33 is disposed on each of the pair of second elastic portions 12, 12, and one fixing member 33 is disposed on each of the lateral ends of the ventral waist portion 16.

[0056] As the fixing member 33, any member that can be used to detachably fix the object to be fixed (absorption pad) in this type of absorbent article can be used without particular limitation. For example, a male member of a mechanical surface fastener can be used. The "mechanical surface fastener" referred to here means a fastener in which a surface member (male member) having a hook material (engaging member) made of hook-shaped protrusions disposed on one surface and a surface member (female member) having a loop material made of pile-shaped protrusions disposed on one surface are paired. A specific example of the mechanical surface fastener is Velcro (registered trademark). The male member has a configuration in which a large number of the hook materials are disposed on the surface of a base material made of, for example, a resin film, a woven fabric, a non-woven fabric, or the like.

[0057] When wearing the pad cover 3, as shown in FIG. 3, both side portions (overhanging portions 3R1) in the lateral direction Y of the dorsal portion R are fastened to a fastened region 35 disposed on the non-skin-facing surface 3b of the ventral portion F via fastening members 34 disposed on the skin-facing surface 3a of both side portions. As the fastening structure including the fastening member 34 and the fastened region 35, any structure adopted in this type of absorbent article can be adopted without particular limitation. For example, the mechanical surface fastener can be used. In the present embodiment, the fastening member 34 is the male member and the fastened region 35 is the female member. In this embodiment, the area to be fastened 35 is composed of the non-skin side sheet 37 of the above-described component 30A. In the area to be fastened 35, a plurality of joints 38 extending in the longitudinal direction X are intermittently arranged in the transverse direction Y. Such a plurality of joints 38 intermittently arranged in the transverse direction Y can serve as a guide for the fastening position when fastening the fastening member 34 to the area to be fastened 35.

[0058] In this embodiment, on the skin-facing surface 3a of the pad cover 3, a plurality of fixing members 33 for detachably fixing the pad cover 3 to the non-skin-facing surface 2b of the absorption pad 2 are arranged. According to a conventional method, the state in which the absorption pad 2 is fixed to the pad cover 3 through all of such a plurality of fixing members 33 is the state of "fixing the absorption pad 2 at an appropriate position on the pad cover 3". Information regarding the method of using the diaper 1, including an appropriate method of fixing the absorption pad 2 to the pad cover 3, is usually provided to the user of the diaper 1 in some form. Specific examples of such information provision include a method of indicating the method of using the diaper 1 on the packaging package of the diaper 1, and a method of introducing the method of using the diaper 1 on a website on the Internet. Here, the "when worn" means a state in which the normal appropriate wearing position, that is, the correct wearing position of the absorbent article, is maintained.

[0059] Hereinafter, the absorption pad 2 that is fixed to and used with the pad cover 3 will be further described. The position of the ventral part F of the pad cover 3 corresponds to the position of the ventral part F of the absorption pad 2 fixed at its appropriate position, the pad cover 3, and the diaper 1 composed of the absorption pad 2. The same applies to the relationship between the positions of the crotch part M and the dorsal part R of the pad cover 3 and the positions of the crotch part M and the dorsal part R of the absorption pad 2 and the diaper 1, respectively.

[0060] In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the absorption pad 2 has a shape that is long in one direction in plan view, specifically a rectangular shape. Its longitudinal direction is made to coincide with the longitudinal direction X of the diaper 1, and it is arranged at the center in the transverse direction Y of the pad cover 3 and extends in the longitudinal direction X from the ventral part F through the crotch part M to the dorsal part R. The absorbent pad 2 includes a liquid-permeable surface sheet 21 disposed at a position relatively close to the wearer's skin, a liquid-impermeable back sheet 22 disposed at a position relatively far from the wearer's skin, and an absorber 23 interposed between the two sheets 21 and 22. These members constituting the absorbent pad 2 are integrated by known joining means such as an adhesive. As the surface sheet 21 and the back sheet 22, those commonly used in this type of absorbent article can be used without particular limitation. Examples of the surface sheet 21 include various nonwoven fabrics and perforated films. Examples of the back sheet 22 include a resin film and a laminate of a resin film and a nonwoven fabric. The absorber 23 mainly includes an absorbent core (not shown) capable of absorbing and retaining excrement such as urine. The absorbent core is mainly composed of a water-absorbing material. Examples of the water-absorbing material include fiber materials such as wood pulp and water-absorbing polymers, and one or more of these can be used. The absorbent core may be covered with a liquid-permeable core wrap sheet made of paper, nonwoven fabric, or the like.

[0061] The absorbent pad 2 may be provided with leak-proof cuffs (not shown). The leak-proof cuffs are typically provided in a pair on both sides along the longitudinal direction X on the skin-facing surface 2a of the absorbent pad 2. In the worn state of the diaper 1 as shown in FIG. 3, the portion of the leak-proof cuff located at the crotch M stands up on the side of the wearer's skin. Due to the standing up of such leak-proof cuffs, the outward flow of excrement such as urine in the lateral direction Y is more effectively prevented.

[0062] In the present embodiment, the side elastic member 25 is a thread-like elastic member, and as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, it is linearly arranged in the longitudinal direction X along the side edge 23S of the absorber 23. The number of side elastic members 25 arranged on both outer sides in the lateral direction Y of the absorber 23 is not particularly limited, and may be a plurality (two) as in the illustrated form or one.

[0063] FIG. 8 shows a pad cover 3A which is an embodiment of the pad cover according to the present invention. The pad cover 3A is different from the above-described pad cover 3 in that the fixing member 33 is arranged not only on the second stretchable portions 12 of the ventral portion F and the dorsal portion R but also on the first stretchable portion 11 of the dorsal portion R. Thereby, the floating of the absorption pad can be more surely prevented, and the fitness of the diaper 1 to the wearer's body can be more stably maintained.

[0064] Further, FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 show pad covers 3B, 3C, 3D of still another embodiment of the present invention, respectively. The pad cover 3B shown in FIG. 9 is an example in which a region 55 having an elongation rate equal to or lower than that of the first stretchable portion 11 is provided at the outer end in the lateral direction Y of the protruding portion 3R1. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, in the pad cover 3C shown in FIG. 10, the entire second stretchable portion 12 is located outward in the lateral direction Y with respect to the crotch portion M and the ventral portion F, and the first stretchable portion 11 extends inward in the lateral direction Y of the protruding portions 3R1, 3R1. Also, as in the pad cover 3D shown in FIG. 11, the ventral portion F does not necessarily have a larger width in the lateral direction Y than the crotch portion M. In the example of FIG. 11, the ventral portion F has the same width as the crotch portion M in the lateral direction Y. Regarding the configurations not particularly described in the pad covers 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D, the description of the above-described pad cover 3 is appropriately applied.

[0065] In the absorbent article of the present invention represented by the diaper 1, the absorption pad and the pad cover are not integrated, and the absorption pad and the pad cover can exist in a separated state from each other. As an embodiment during the distribution of the absorbent article of the present invention, there can be mentioned a series of absorbent articles including an absorption pad and a pad cover and including a plurality of types of absorption pads having different sizes.

[0066] The series of absorbent articles has a first absorbent pad having a first absorption capacity among the plurality of types described above and a second absorbent pad having a second absorption capacity, and the first absorption capacity is preferably 120% or more of the second absorption capacity. Further, the longitudinal X length in the deployed and extended state of the first absorbent pad is preferably 105% or more of that of the second absorbent pad. Also, the minimum width in the transverse Y direction of the crotch portion of the first pad is preferably 120% or less of the minimum width in the transverse Y direction of the crotch portion of the second pad.

[0067] The absorbent article of the present invention is an assembled absorbent article that requires an assembly operation of fixing an absorbent pad to the skin-facing surface of a pad cover prior to use. Since the absorbent article of the present invention is assembled, after use, the used absorbent pad is discarded and a new absorbent pad is fixed to the pad cover. The pad cover is reusable and can be reused after washing if necessary.

[0068] As described above, the present invention has been described based on its preferred embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Regarding the above-described embodiments of the present invention, the following additional remarks are further disclosed.

[0069] <1> A pad cover that is used in combination with an absorbent pad worn between the legs of a wearer and is detachably fixed to the non-skin-facing surface of the absorbent pad, having a longitudinal direction corresponding to the front-back direction of the wearer and a transverse direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, and having a ventral portion disposed on the ventral side of the wearer during wearing, a dorsal portion disposed on the dorsal side of the wearer during wearing, and a crotch portion located between the ventral portion and the dorsal portion, The dorsal waist portion disposed around the waist of the wearer during wearing in the dorsal portion has a first elastic portion located at the central portion in the transverse direction of the dorsal waist portion and having elasticity in the transverse direction, and a pair of second elastic portions located on both sides in the transverse direction of the first elastic portion and having elasticity in the transverse direction. The second stretchable part is a pad cover having a higher elongation rate in the lateral direction than the first stretchable part. <2> The pad cover according to <1>, wherein the first stretchable part and the second stretchable part have different composite vector directions of the elongation rates in the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction of the stretchable part. <3> The pad cover according to <2>, wherein the second stretchable part has a smaller acute angle among the angles formed by the composite vector direction and the lateral direction than the first stretchable part. <4> The second stretchable part has an extending part that extends in the lateral direction more than the lower thigh part. The absolute value of the difference between the following angle Θ3 and angle Θ2 is within 30°. The pad cover according to any one of <1> to <3>. <5> For the pad cover according to <4>, preferably, the acute angle Θ3 among the angles formed by the extending direction of the inner end in the longitudinal direction of the extending part and the lateral direction is 0 to 50°, and more preferably 5 to 40°. <6> For the pad cover according to any one of <1> to <5>, preferably, the acute angle Θ2 among the angles formed by the composite vector direction of the elongation rates in the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction of the second stretchable part and the lateral direction is 5 to 45°, and more preferably 10 to 35°. <7> For the pad cover according to any one of <1> to <6>, the lateral side part in the lower thigh part has a lower elongation rate in the longitudinal direction than the first stretchable part of the dorsal waist part. <8> The pad cover according to any one of <1> to <7>, wherein the constituent member of the first stretchable part and the constituent member of the second stretchable part are members formed by arranging, with their directions changed, the same kind of fabric having different elongation rates in two directions parallel to the raw fabric surface and perpendicular to each other. <9> The pad cover according to any one of <1> to <8>, wherein the constituent member of the first stretchable part and the constituent member of the second stretchable part are fabrics having different fiber densities from each other or fabrics having different basis weights from each other. <10> The constituent members of the first telescopic part and the constituent members of the second telescopic part are different in the number of fabric layers, and the pad cover according to any one of <1> to <9>. <11> The pad cover has a lower shrinkage rate in the longitudinal direction than the absorption pad, and the pad cover according to any one of <1> to <10>. <12> The dorsal waist part is configured by connecting the constituent members of the first telescopic part and the constituent members of the second telescopic part via a connecting part. The connecting part extends along at least one of the peripheries of the plurality of constituent members connected via the connecting part, and the pad cover according to any one of <1> to <11>. <13> The connecting means between the constituent members of the first telescopic part and the constituent members of the second telescopic part in the connecting part is stitching, and the pad cover according to <12>. <14> The connecting part extends in a direction orthogonal to the synthetic vector direction of the elongation rates in the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction of the second telescopic part, and the pad cover according to <12> or <13>. <15> The constituent members of the first telescopic part have a shorter length in the lateral direction at the outer end in the longitudinal direction than the length in the lateral direction at the inner end in the longitudinal direction, and the pad cover according to any one of <8> to <14>. <16> In the pad cover, the constituent members constituting the thigh part and the constituent members of the first telescopic part are connected by a second connecting part, and the constituent members constituting the ventral part and the constituent members constituting the thigh part are connected by a third connecting part. The absorption pad has a bending line that traverses the absorption pad in the lateral direction. In the state of use of the pad cover, the bending line of the absorption pad does not overlap with the second connecting part and the third connecting part of the pad cover, and the pad cover according to any one of <8> to <15>. <17> The ventral part of the pad cover includes a skin-side sheet that forms a skin-facing surface and a non-skin-side sheet that forms a non-skin-facing surface of the ventral part. In a component that constitutes at least a portion located outward in the longitudinal direction in the ventral part, a plurality of joints that join the skin-side sheet and the non-skin-side sheet are formed by sewing. The plurality of joints are formed in a straight line in a plan view extending in the longitudinal direction and are intermittently arranged in the lateral direction. Moreover, the thread used for sewing to form the plurality of joints is different in color from the non-skin-side sheet, and the pad cover according to any one of <1> to <16>. <18> The pad cover according to any one of <1> to <17>, wherein the component of the central part of the lower thigh is formed of a mesh fabric. <19> The pad cover according to any one of <1> to <18>, including a cover body and a stretchable end sheet that covers the peripheral edge of the cover body. <20> The pad cover according to <19>, wherein the end sheet covers the entire peripheral edge of the cover body. <21> The pad cover according to <19> or <20>, wherein the end sheet is continuous from the skin-facing surface to the non-skin-facing surface of the cover body and forms a C shape in a cross-sectional view along the thickness direction of the pad cover. <22> The pad cover according to any one of <1> to <21>, wherein fixing members for fixing the absorption pad are respectively arranged in the ventral part and the second stretchable part in the dorsal part. <23> The pad cover according to <22>, wherein a fixing member for fixing the absorption pad is further arranged in the first stretchable part. <24> The pad cover according to any one of <1> to <23>, wherein the entire second stretchable part is located outward in the lateral direction with respect to the lower thigh part and the ventral part. <25> The back portion has a pair of protruding portions extending outward in the lateral direction from the crotch portion and the ventral portion of the pad cover, and the first elastic portion extends to the inner side in the lateral direction of the protruding portion. The pad cover according to any one of <1> to <24>. <26> The pad cover has the ventral portion having a lateral width equivalent to that of the crotch portion. The pad cover according to any one of <1> to <25>. <27> An absorbent article series including an absorbent pad worn between the legs of a wearer and a pad cover used in combination with the absorbent pad and detachably fixed to the non-skin-facing surface of the absorbent pad, and including a plurality of types of absorbent pads with different sizes. The pad cover is the pad cover according to any one of <1> to <26>. An absorbent article series.

Explanation of Signs

[0070] 1 Diaper (Absorbent Article) 2 Absorbent Pad B1, B2 Folding Lines 3 Pad Cover 10 Dorsal Waist Portion 11 First Elastic Portion 12 Second Elastic Portion 13 Extension Portion 15 Inseam Side Portion 30A to 30G Constituent Members 32A Connecting Portion F Ventral Portion M Crotch Portion R Dorsal Portion X Longitudinal Direction Y Lateral Direction V1 Composite Vector Direction of the Longitudinal and Lateral Elongation Rates of the First Elastic Portion V2 Composite Vector Direction of the Longitudinal and Lateral Elongation Rates of the Second Elastic Portion Θ1 Acute Angle Side Angle Among the Angles Formed by the Composite Vector Direction of the First Elastic Portion and the Lateral Direction Θ2 Acute Angle Side Angle Among the Angles Formed by the Composite Vector Direction of the Second Elastic Portion and the Lateral Direction The acute angle among the angles formed by the inner longitudinal end of the Θ3 extension part and the transverse direction The acute angle among the angles formed by the direction of the composite vector of the longitudinal and transverse elongation rates of the second telescopic part and the transverse direction Lo The transverse length of the outer longitudinal end of the component member of the first telescopic part Li The transverse length of the inner longitudinal end of the component member of the first telescopic part

Claims

1. A pad cover used in conjunction with an absorbent pad attached to the wearer's groin, and which is detachably fixed to the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent pad, It has a longitudinal direction corresponding to the front-to-back direction of the wearer and a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and has an abdominal portion that is positioned on the wearer's abdominal side when worn, a dorsal portion that is positioned on the wearer's back side when worn, and an inseam portion located between the abdominal portion and the dorsal portion. The back waist portion of the back portion, which is positioned around the wearer's waist when worn, has a first stretchable portion located in the lateral center of the back waist portion and having elasticity in the lateral direction, and a pair of second stretchable portions located on both sides of the first stretchable portion in the lateral direction and having elasticity in the lateral direction. The second stretchable portion is a pad cover having a higher lateral stretching ratio compared to the first stretchable portion.

2. The pad cover according to claim 1, wherein the combined vector direction of the vertical and horizontal elongation rates of the first and second expandable portions are different.

3. The pad cover according to claim 2, wherein the second expandable portion has a smaller acute angle between the composite vector direction and the lateral direction compared to the first expandable portion.

4. The second stretchable portion has an extension that extends laterally beyond the crotch area, The pad cover according to claim 1, wherein the absolute value of the difference between angle Θ3 and angle Θ2 is within 30°. • Angle Θ3: The acute angle between the extending direction of the longitudinal inner end of the extension and the transverse direction. • Angle Θ2: The acute angle between the direction of the combined vector of the vertical and horizontal elongation rates of the second extension portion and the horizontal direction.

5. The pad cover according to claim 1, wherein the lateral side portion in the crotch area has a lower vertical stretch rate compared to the first stretch portion of the back waist area.

6. The pad cover according to claim 1, wherein the pad cover has a lower longitudinal shrinkage rate compared to the absorbent pad.

7. The aforementioned back waist portion is constructed by connecting the components of the first expandable portion and the components of the second expandable portion via a connecting portion. The pad cover according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion extends along the periphery of at least one of the plurality of constituent members connected via the connecting portion.

8. The pad cover according to claim 7, wherein the connecting portion extends in a direction perpendicular to the combined vector direction of the vertical and horizontal elongation rates of the second expandable portion.

9. The pad cover according to claim 7, wherein the component of the first expandable portion has a lateral length at the longitudinal outer end that is shorter than the lateral length at the longitudinal inner end.

10. The pad cover is configured such that the component forming the crotch area and the component forming the first stretchable part are connected by a second connecting part, and the component forming the abdominal area and the component forming the crotch area are connected by a third connecting part. The absorbent pad has a fold line that crosses the absorbent pad in the transverse direction, The pad cover according to claim 7, wherein, in the state of use of the pad cover, the fold line of the absorbent pad and the second and third connecting portions of the pad cover do not overlap.

11. A series of absorbent articles comprising an absorbent pad attached to the wearer's groin, and a pad cover used in conjunction with the absorbent pad and detachably fixed to the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent pad, wherein the absorbent pad is available in multiple sizes, A series of absorbent articles, wherein the pad cover is the pad cover described in any one of claims 1 to 10.

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