Pad cover and absorbent article

Abstract

To provide a pad cover for use with an absorbent pad detachably fixed thereto, the pad cover with the absorbent pad having excellent fit and wearing comfort.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 2b of the absorbent pad 2, where a dorsal waist section RW in a dorsal region R, disposed around the wearer's waist when being worn, has stretchability in a lateral direction Y. The dorsal waist section RW includes a first sheet 41 and a second sheet 42 partially joined to the skin-facing surface of the first sheet 41. The second sheet 42 includes, on the skin-facing surface thereof, a first fastening area 33a capable of fixing the absorbent pad 2. The second sheet 42 has a non-bonded portion 44 that is not bonded to the skin-facing surface of the first sheet 41 and can be separated from the skin-facing surface, at least in an arrangement area 45 of the first fastening area 33a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pad cover used for a modular absorbent article. The present invention also relates to a modular absorbent article provided with the pad cover.

Background Art

[0002] Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers typically include an absorbent pad that absorbs and retains excrement such as urine and a pad cover that supports the absorbent pad from the outer side. In ordinary absorbent articles, the absorbent pad and the pad cover are joined and integrated, whereas in modular absorbent articles, the two are configured to be detachable (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). For example, when the excretory amount of the wearer of the absorbent article is relatively small and only the absorbent pad is soiled with excrement and the pad cover is not soiled, in the case of an ordinary non-modular absorbent article, the entire absorbent article has to be discarded, which is uneconomical. However, in the case of a modular absorbent article, the soiled absorbent pad can be replaced with a new one, and the pad cover can be reused after washing if necessary, which is economical. In addition, modular absorbent articles have a smaller amount of waste discharged after use and a relatively low environmental load compared to ordinary non-modular absorbent articles, so they match the efforts to reduce the environmental load and can be said to be absorbent articles that can be more widely spread in the future.

[0003] As an improved technology for modular absorbent articles, in order to improve the fit around the waist of the wearer and suppress leakage of excrement and excessive indentation of the absorbent article around the waist of the wearer, it has been proposed to impart elasticity to a portion disposed around the waist of the wearer during wearing (hereinafter, also referred to as the "waist portion"). For example, Patent Document 1 describes a modular absorbent article including an outer cover (pad cover) adapted to be worn around the lower body of the wearer and an absorbent insert. The outer cover includes a front waist band portion and a rear waist band portion having elasticity at the waist portion. Patent Document 2 also describes an absorbent article (which has the function of a pad cover) provided with a front holding part and a rear holding part for holding an auxiliary absorber. The absorbent article is provided with an elastic member that can stretch in the waist part.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the absorbent articles described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, when the waist part of the pad cover stretches due to the movement of the wearer, the absorption pad does not follow the stretch. As a result, a so - called displacement occurs where the absorption pad deviates from the proper wearing position, or a gap is generated between the absorption pad and the wearer's skin. This reduces the fitness of the absorption pad to the wearer's body and may induce leakage of excrement. Also, because the non - stretchable absorption pad inhibits the stretching of the waist part of the pad cover in the circumferential direction around the body, the waist part bites excessively into the wearer's waist. As a result, the part of the absorption pad that overlaps the waist part may bite into the wearer's abdomen, causing discomfort to the wearer. There were also problems in terms of the wearing feeling. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a pad cover that can solve the problems specific to the above - mentioned assembled absorbent article, namely, the problems of the fitness and wearing feeling of the absorption pad.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention is a pad cover that is used in combination with an absorption pad worn between the legs of a wearer and is detachably fixed to the non - skin - facing surface of the absorption pad. In one embodiment of the pad cover of the present invention, it 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 when worn, a dorsal side portion disposed on the dorsal side of the wearer when worn, and a crotch portion located between the ventral side portion and the dorsal side portion, which is preferable. In one embodiment of the pad cover of the present invention, it is preferable that the dorsal waist portion disposed around the waist of the wearer when worn in the dorsal side portion has elasticity in the transverse direction. In one embodiment of the pad cover of the present invention, it is preferable that the dorsal waist portion includes a first sheet and a second sheet partially joined to the skin-facing surface of the first sheet. In one embodiment of the pad cover of the present invention, it is preferable that a first fastening region capable of fixing the absorption pad is provided on the skin-facing surface side of the second sheet. In one embodiment of the pad cover of the present invention, it is preferable that the second sheet has a non-joined portion that is not joined to the skin-facing surface of the first sheet and can be separated from the skin-facing surface at least in the arrangement region of the first fastening region.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, there is provided a pad cover in which an absorption pad is detachably fixed and used, and the pad cover is excellent in the fit and wearing feeling of the absorption pad. Specifically, a pad cover is provided in which displacement of the absorption pad and a gap between the absorption pad and the skin of the wearer are less likely to occur during wearing, and the penetration of the absorption pad into the skin can be suppressed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings based on its preferred embodiments. Note that the same parts in a plurality of drawings are denoted by common reference numerals. The drawings are basically schematic, and dimensions, the dimensional ratio between a certain part and other parts, etc. may be different from the actual ones.

[0010] 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 absorbent 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 non-skin-facing surface 2b side in the worn state of the diaper 1 as shown in FIG. 3, and does not include a member such as an absorber 23 described later that the absorbent pad 2 is provided with and can absorb and hold excrement.

[0011] In the present invention, the "skin-facing surface" is 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" is 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.

[0012] 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 arranged on the ventral side of the wearer when worn, a dorsal part R arranged on the dorsal side of the wearer when worn, and a crotch part M located between the ventral part F and the dorsal part R. The crotch part M includes an excretion part facing part (not shown) that is arranged 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 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. The pad cover 3 has a longitudinal center line CLx that divides the pad cover 3 into two equal parts in the longitudinal direction X and a lateral center line CLy that divides the pad cover 3 into two equal parts in the lateral direction Y.

[0013] In the present invention, the "extended state" refers to a state in which each part of an absorbent article (e.g., a diaper) or its constituent member (e.g., a pad cover, an absorbent pad) is extended and spread until wrinkles disappear. In the present invention, the "deployed and extended state" refers to a state in which an absorbent article or its constituent member is spread out flat to be in a deployed state and then in the extended state.

[0014] The position of the ventral part F of the pad cover 3 corresponds to the position of the ventral part F of the absorbent pad 2 fixed at its proper position and the diaper 1 (see FIG. 2) composed of the pad cover 3 and the absorbent 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 absorbent pad 2 and the diaper 1, respectively.

[0015] The pad cover 3 is a sheet-like member that supports the absorbent pad 2 from the non-skin-facing surface 2b side in the worn state of the diaper 1 as shown in FIG. 3, and does not include a member such as an absorbent body that can absorb and hold excrement.

[0016] In the present embodiment, the pad cover 3 has a length in the lateral direction Y of the crotch part M that is shorter than those of the ventral part F and the dorsal part R, and has an hourglass shape with a constricted part in the crotch part M in a plan view as shown in FIG. 1. Further, both side edges 3S, 3S along the longitudinal direction X of the pad cover 3 each have a curved part 3S1 that is convexly curved inward in the lateral direction Y, and the curved part 3S1 exists from the ventral part F through the crotch part M to the dorsal part R. In the illustrated form, substantially all of the side edge 3S of the pad cover 3 is the curved part 3S1.

[0017] 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. As used herein, "stretchability" refers to the property of being able to stretch when a stretching force is applied and contracting when the stretching force is released. The cover body 30 is a sheet-like member that forms the main body of the pad cover 3 and forms the shape of the pad cover 3 in plan view.

[0018] In the present invention, the cover body 30 may be composed of a single sheet-like member or a plurality of sheet-like members. In this embodiment, the latter is adopted, and the cover body 30 is composed of seven sheet-like members 30A to 30G as shown in FIG. 4. That is, the ventral part F of the cover body 30 (more specifically, the ventral waist part disposed around the wearer's waist in the ventral part F) is composed of a single sheet-like member 30A, and the crotch part M of the cover body 30 (more specifically, the crotch part M and the parts near the crotch part M of the ventral part F and the dorsal part R respectively) is composed of three sheet-like members 30B, 30C, and 30D, and the dorsal part R of the cover body 30 (more specifically, the dorsal waist part RW disposed around the wearer's waist in the dorsal part R) is composed of three sheet-like members 30E, 30F, and 30G. The dorsal waist part RW can be, for example, 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 length of the pad cover 3.

[0019] Each of the plurality of sheet-like members 30A to 30G may have a single-layer structure or a laminated structure in which a plurality of sheets are laminated. In this embodiment, among the seven sheet-like members 30A to 30G, only the sheet-like member 30A that constitutes the ventral part F has a laminated structure, and the other sheet-like members have a single-layer structure. Since the sheet-like member 30A has a laminated structure, it has better heat retention than the other sheet-like members having a single-layer structure. Therefore, the diaper 1 can have the effect of being excellent in heat retention in the ventral part F where the sheet-like member 30A is disposed and being difficult to cool the wearer's abdomen.

[0020] The laminated structure of the sheet-like member 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 is made of a common stretchable cloth from among a plurality of sheet-like members that constitute the cover body 30, and the non-skin-side sheet 37 is made of a stretchable cloth. The non-skin-side sheet 37 is a sheet to which a fastening member 34 described later can be fastened, and can be, for example, a stretchable pile fabric or the like. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the skin-side sheet 36 and the non-skin-side sheet 37 are joined at a ventral sheet joint 38. In the sheet-like member 30A, a plurality of linearly-shaped ventral sheet joints 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 ventral sheet joint 38 is not particularly limited, and examples include sewing, adhesion with an adhesive, and fusion. In the present embodiment, sewing is adopted.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of sheet-like members 30A to 30G are connected via a connecting portion 32. The connecting portion 32 extends along at least one of the peripheries of the plurality of sheet-like members connected via the connecting portion 32. The connecting means between the plurality of sheet-like members at the connecting portion 32 is not particularly limited, and examples include sewing, adhesion with an adhesive, and fusion. In the present embodiment, sewing is adopted, and the connecting portion 32 is a sewing line extending along the periphery of any one of the plurality of sheet-like members 30A to 30G that constitute the cover body 30.

[0022] The dorsal waist portion RW of the pad cover 3 has elasticity in the lateral direction Y. Saying that it "has elasticity in the lateral direction Y" means that the elongation rate in the lateral direction Y measured by the method described later is 15% or more. The dorsal waist portion RW preferably has an elongation rate in the lateral direction Y of 30% or more, and more preferably 60% or more.

[0023] 〔Measurement method for the elongation rate of the dorsal waist portion RW〕 Cut out the back waist part RW from the pad cover 3 to obtain a measurement sample. Set both side ends of the measurement sample between a pair of chucks of an autograph tensile tester (manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation, product name "AG-X"). The distance between the chucks shall be the length at which the measurement sample is in a natural state. Then, by increasing the distance between the chucks at a constant speed (200 mm / min), the measurement sample is stretched, 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 according to 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 value of the measurement sample reaches 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 carried out at 23°C.

[0024] As a configuration for imparting stretchability along the transverse direction Y to the back waist part RW of the pad cover 3, for example, 1) a configuration in which elastic members are fixed in an extended state to the sheet-like members 30E, 30F, and 30G constituting the back waist part RW, and 2) a configuration in which the sheet-like members 30E, 30F, and 30G constituting the back waist part RW have stretchability in the transverse direction Y can be mentioned. In the present embodiment, the configuration of 2) is adopted.

[0025] In addition to the transverse direction Y, the back waist part RW may also have stretchability in the longitudinal direction X. In the present embodiment, among the sheet-like members 30A to G, except for the sheet-like member 30C located at the center in the transverse direction Y of the crotch part M, they are stretchable members having stretchability in both the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y and are made of stretchable cloth. Therefore, the back waist part RW has stretchability in both the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y. On the other hand, the sheet-like member 30C is made of mesh fabric and has flexibility. Details of the sheet-like member 30C will be described later.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the back waist part RW includes a first sheet 41 and a second sheet 42 disposed on the skin-facing surface 3a of the first sheet 41. The first sheet 41 may be composed of a single sheet-like member, or may be composed of a plurality of sheet-like members. In the present embodiment, the latter is adopted, and as shown in FIG. 1, the first sheet 41 is composed of three sheet-like members 30E, 30F, and 30G. When the three sheet-like members 30E, 30F, and 30G have a laminated structure, the sheet-like members constituting the skin-facing surfaces of the respective sheet-like members 30E, 30F, and 30G are the sheet-like members constituting the first sheet 41. Similarly, the second sheet 42 may be composed of a single sheet-like member, or may be composed of a plurality of sheet-like members. Further, the second sheet 42 may have a two-layer structure formed by folding a single sheet-like member. In the illustrated embodiment, the second sheet 42 is composed of a single sheet member. In the present embodiment, the pad cover 3 has two second sheets 42, 42 arranged so as to be separated in the lateral direction Y at the dorsal waist portion RW, and a part of the skin-facing surface of the first sheet 41 is covered by the two second sheets 42, 42.

[0027] The pad cover 3 has a first fastening region 33a on the skin-facing surface 3a side of the second sheet 42, to which the absorption pad 2 can be fixed. As the first fastening region 33a, any member that can detachably fix a fixing target (absorption pad) in this type of absorbent article can be used without particular limitation. For example, it can be a region made of a fastening material such as a male member of a mechanical surface fastener. Further, by using a member having a fastening property that can be brought into contact with and separated from the non-skin-facing surface 2b of the absorption pad 2 as a constituent member of the second sheet 42, the entire skin-facing surface 3a of the second sheet 42 can be made the first fastening region 33a. That is, in the present invention, the first fastening region 33a may be composed of a member separate from the second sheet 42, or may be composed of the second sheet 42 itself. In the present embodiment, since the male member of the mechanical surface fastener is arranged on the skin-facing surface 3a side of the second sheet 42, the male member is the first fastening region 33a. In this embodiment, each of the two second sheets 42, 42 of the pad cover 3 is provided with a first fastening region 33a formed of a male member of a mechanical surface fastener. The first fastening region 33a is typically disposed at a position corresponding to a corner (angled portion) on the back side R side of the absorption pad 2 on the skin-facing surface 3a of the pad cover 3. Details of the male member of the mechanical surface fastener used as the first fastening region 33a will be described later.

[0028] The second sheet 42 is partially joined to the skin-facing surface 3a side of the first sheet 41. That is, the second sheet 42 has a joining portion 43 joined to the skin-facing surface 3a of the first sheet 41 and a non-joining portion 44 that is not joined to the skin-facing surface 3a of the first sheet 41 and can be separated from the skin-facing surface 3a. The second sheet 42 has a non-joining portion 44 at least in the arrangement region 45 of the first fastening region 33a. The "arrangement region 45 of the first fastening region 33a" as used herein refers to a region of the second sheet 42 that overlaps the first fastening region 33a in a plan view. The joining means between the first sheet 41 and the second sheet 42 is not particularly limited, and examples include sewing, adhesion with an adhesive, and fusion bonding. Sewing is employed in this embodiment.

[0029] In the pad cover 3 having the above-described configuration, when the back waist portion RW of the pad cover 3 is extended in the lateral direction Y, the second sheet 42 bends, so that the change in the position of the first fastening region 33a is reduced. As a result, when the diaper 1 is worn, even if the back waist portion RW of the pad cover 3 is extended in the lateral direction Y, the displacement of the absorption pad 2 and the gap between the absorption pad 2 and the wearer's skin are less likely to occur, and the absorption pad 2 can closely adhere to the wearer's skin with good fit. Further, even when the absorption pad 2 is fixed to the first fastening regions 33a, 33a, the extension of the first sheet 41 in the lateral direction Y is less likely to be inhibited by the absorption pad 2, so that the biting of the back waist portion RW into the wearer's waist is suppressed, and it is difficult for the absorption pad 2 to bite excessively into the wearer's abdomen and cause discomfort to the wearer, and the wearing feeling is good.

[0030] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the pad cover 3 has a left second sheet 42E partially joined to the skin-facing surface of the sheet-like member 30E and a right second sheet 42G partially joined to the skin-facing surface of the sheet-like member 30G. The left second sheet 42E and the right second sheet 42G are arranged side by side in the lateral direction Y and are symmetrically arranged with respect to the lateral center line CLy. Also, as shown in FIG. 5, the connecting portion 32 between the sheet-like members 30F and 30G and the joint portion 43 of the right second sheet 42G overlap in plan view. Similarly, the connecting portion 32 between the sheet-like members 30E and 30F and the joint portion 43 of the left second sheet 42E overlap in plan view.

[0031] Further, in this embodiment, the stretchability of the sheet-like members 30E and 30G in the lateral direction Y is equal to or higher than that of the sheet-like member 30F in the lateral direction Y. Due to this, when the dorsal waist portion RW is extended in the lateral direction Y, the extension of the sheet-like member 30F in the lateral direction Y is suppressed, and the amount of change in the position of the first fastening region 33a is reduced. Therefore, the displacement of the absorption pad 2 and the gap between the absorption pad 2 and the skin of the wearer are less likely to occur. Note that the magnitudes of the stretchability of the sheet-like members 30E, 30F, and 30G in the lateral direction Y are determined based on the magnitudes of the elongation rates of the respective sheet-like members 30E, 30F, and 30G in the lateral direction Y measured by the following method.

[0032] 〔Method for Measuring the Elongation Rate of the Sheet-Like Member〕 Cut out a rectangular shape with a length of 10 cm in the longitudinal direction and a width of 5 cm in the transverse direction from the sheet-like member to be evaluated as a measurement sample. The longitudinal direction of the measurement sample is the transverse direction Y, which is the direction for evaluating the presence or absence of stretchability. Set the measurement sample between a pair of chucks (5 cm) of an autograph tensile testing machine (manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation, product name "AG-X") so that the longitudinal direction of the measurement sample coincides with the tensile direction. Then, increase the distance between the chucks at a constant speed (200 mm / min) to stretch the measurement sample, measure the distance between the chucks when the load value reaches 14.7 N, and calculate the elongation rate of the measurement sample according to 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 value of the measurement sample reaches 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 carried out at 23°C. When the sampling area is less than the size of 10 cm in the longitudinal direction and 5 cm in the transverse direction, set and measure so that the width in the 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 transverse direction to the width in the transverse direction. Also, when comparing the elongation rates of two regions, if either region is less than the size of 10 cm in the longitudinal direction and 5 cm in the transverse direction, the sizes of the samples in the two regions shall be adjusted to the size of the smaller region.

[0033] From the viewpoint of sufficiently suppressing the elongation of the sheet-like member 30F in the lateral direction Y when the dorsal waist portion RW extends in the lateral direction Y, in the present embodiment, the elongation rate of the sheet-like member 30F in the lateral direction Y is preferably 80% or less, more preferably 65% or less, and still more preferably 50% or less of the elongation rate of the sheet-like member 30E in the lateral direction Y. Further, from the viewpoint of enabling an appropriate elongation of the sheet-like member 30F in the lateral direction Y and suppressing excessive indentation around the waist of the wearer, the elongation rate of the sheet-like member 30F in the lateral direction Y is preferably 10% or more, more preferably 20% or more, and still more preferably 30% or more of the elongation rate of the sheet-like member 30E in the lateral direction Y. Similarly, the elongation rate of the sheet-like member 30F in the lateral direction Y is preferably 80% or less, more preferably 65% or less, and still more preferably 50% or less of the elongation rate of the sheet-like member 30G in the lateral direction Y. Further, the elongation rate of the sheet-like member 30F in the lateral direction Y is preferably 10% or more, more preferably 20% or more, and still more preferably 30% or more of the elongation rate of the sheet-like member 30E in the lateral direction Y.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 6(a), the left second sheet 42E and the right second sheet 42G each have a triangular shape surrounded by a first side 51, a second side 52, and a third side 53 in a plan view. The first side 51 extends in the lateral direction Y. The second side 52 extends from the end 55 located inward in the lateral direction Y among both ends 55, 56 of the first side 51, toward the inside in the longitudinal direction X. The third side 53 extends from the end 56 located outward in the lateral direction Y among both ends 55, 56 of the first side 51, toward the inside in the longitudinal direction X. The first side 51 and the second side 52 are joined to the first sheet 41. In other words, the joint portion 43 includes the first side 51 and the second side 52. The third side 53 is not joined to the first sheet 41. In other words, the non-joined portion 44 includes the third side 53. Also, in the second sheet 42, the regions other than the peripheral portions of the first side 51 and the second side 52 are the non-joined portion 44.

[0035] In the present embodiment, the extending direction of the third side 53 does not coincide with the vertical direction X. Since the third side 53 extends in a direction that does not coincide with the vertical direction X, the strain direction of the third side 53 generated when the first sheet 41 extends in the horizontal direction Y is dispersed (becomes an oblique direction), so that the absorption pad 2 is less likely to come off from the first fastening region 33a when the first sheet 41 extends. From the viewpoint of more surely obtaining this effect, it is preferable that the acute angle side of the angle formed by the extending direction of the third side 53 and the vertical direction X is 8 degrees or more and 45 degrees or less, more preferably 12 degrees or more and 40 degrees or less, and still more preferably 15 degrees or more and 30 degrees or less.

[0036] Figures 6(b) and (c) show an embodiment different from Figure 6(a). In the embodiment shown in Figure 6(b), the left second sheet 42E and the right second sheet 42G each have a quadrilateral shape surrounded by the first side 51, the second side 52, the third side 53, and the fourth side 54 in plan view. The first side 51 and the fourth side 54 extend in the horizontal direction Y, and the first side 51 is located outside the vertical direction X from the fourth side 54. The second side 52 and the third side 53 extend in the vertical direction X, and the third side 53 is located outside the horizontal direction Y from the second side 52. The first side 51, the second side 52, and the fourth side 54 are joined to the first sheet 41. In other words, the joined portion 43 includes the first side 51, the second side 52, and the fourth side 54. The third side 53 is not joined to the first sheet 41. In other words, the non-joined portion 44 includes the third side 53. Also, in the second sheet 42, the regions other than the peripheral portions of the first side 51, the second side 52, and the fourth side 54 are the non-joined portion 44. In this embodiment, a large area of the first fastening region 33a can be ensured. Therefore, when the pad cover 3 is for low-age infants and has a small size, etc., and it is preferable to ensure a large area of the first fastening region 33a to guarantee the engagement force with the absorption pad 2, it is particularly effective to adopt this embodiment.

[0037] The second sheet 42 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6(c) is different from the second sheet 42 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6(b) in that the second side 52 is not joined to the first sheet 41, and other points are the same as the second sheet 42 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6(b). In this embodiment, since the second side 52 is not joined to the first sheet 41, the followability of the first fastening region 33a to the extension when the first sheet 41 is extended in the lateral direction Y is weakened. That is, when the pad cover 3 is extended, the first fastening region 33a is less likely to be peeled off from the absorption pad 2. Therefore, it is particularly effective to adopt this embodiment when the elongation rate of the sheet-like member 30F in the lateral direction Y is the same as or slightly different from the elongation rates of the sheet-like member 30E and the sheet-like member 30G.

[0038] In any of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 6(a) to 6(c), the extending directions of the respective sides 51 to 54 are examples and are not limited to the directions described above. However, from the viewpoint of suppressing the displacement of the absorption pad 2 and the generation of a gap between the absorption pad 2 and the skin of the wearer when the diaper 1 is worn, it is preferable to adopt the shape of the second sheet 42 and the joining position between the second sheet 42 and the first sheet 41 shown in any of FIGS. 6(a) to 6(c). Note that each of the sides 51 to 54 may have a strictly linear shape, or may have a slightly curved shape as long as it can be regarded as substantially linear.

[0039] In a plan view, a pocket (not shown) can be formed between the non-joint portion 44 of the first sheet 41 and the second sheet 42 in the first fastening region 33a, and the pocket preferably opens outward in the lateral direction Y. The pocket is formed, for example, when the non-joint portion 44 of the second sheet 42 is separated from the first sheet 41 due to the extension of the dorsal waist portion RW. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6(a) to 6(c), since the non-joint portion 44 includes the third side 53, the pocket opens in the direction of the third side 53 (that is, outward in the lateral direction Y). Since the pad cover 3 has such a configuration, it is possible to further reduce the amount of change in the position of the first fastening region 33a as the dorsal waist portion RW extends in the lateral direction Y. From the viewpoint of more surely obtaining such an effect, it is particularly preferable to adopt the embodiment shown in FIG. 6(a) as the shape of the second sheet 42 and the joining mode between the second sheet 42 and the first sheet 41.

[0040] As in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6(a), when the second sheet 42 has a triangular shape surrounded by three sides 51 to 53 in a plan view, the first fastening region 33a preferably has an outer edge 57 extending in the longitudinal direction X along the third side 53 in a plan view. The "outer edge 57" refers to the outer edge of the first fastening region 33a on the outer side in the lateral direction Y. Whether the outer edge 57 extends along the third side 53 is determined based on the angle formed between the third side 53 and the outer edge 57 (including the angle formed by the virtual extension line of the third side 53 and the virtual extension line of the outer edge 57). Specifically, if the acute angle side of the angle formed between the third side 53 and the outer edge 57 is 0 degrees or more and 15 degrees or less, it is considered that the outer edge 57 extends along the third side 53. The acute angle side of the angle formed between the third side 53 and the outer edge 57 is preferably 0 degrees or more and 10 degrees or less, more preferably 0 degrees or more and 5 degrees or less, and ideally 0 degrees. Since the outer edge 57 of the first fastening region 33a extends in the longitudinal direction X along the third side 53, when the back waist part RW is extended in the lateral direction Y, the second sheet 42 becomes more flexible, so that the displacement of the absorption pad 2 and the gap between the absorption pad 2 and the wearer's skin are less likely to occur. In the present embodiment, the pad cover 3 has two outer edges 57, 57 (the outer edge 57 located on the left second sheet 42E and the outer edge 57 located on the right second sheet 42G).

[0041] From the viewpoint of more surely obtaining the above-described effect, as shown in FIG. 6(a), the first fastening region 33a preferably has a rectangular shape in plan view, and the outer edge 57 is the long side of the rectangle. In order to obtain the above-described effect, the inner edge 58, which is the inner edge in the lateral direction Y in the first fastening region 33a, does not need to extend along the third side 53.

[0042] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6(a), the two first fastening regions 33a, 33a are arranged such that the distance in the lateral direction Y between the outer edge 57 located on the skin-facing surface side of the left second sheet 42E and the outer edge 57 located on the skin-facing surface side of the right second sheet 42G gradually decreases from the back part R side toward the crotch part M side. By arranging the two outer edges 57, 57 in such a direction, the strain of the third side 53 that occurs when the first sheet 41 extends in the lateral direction Y occurs on the outer side in the longitudinal direction X, so that the sagging of the absorption pad 2 can be suppressed.

[0043] From the same viewpoint, as shown in FIG. 6(a), in an embodiment in which the first fastening regions 33a, 33a provided on the skin-facing surface sides of the second sheets 42E, 42G each have a rectangular shape, the distance in the lateral direction Y between the long side of the rectangle of one first fastening region 33a and the long side of the rectangle of the other first fastening region 33a preferably gradually decreases from the back part R side toward the crotch part M side.

[0044] From the perspective of securely fixing the absorption pad 2 with the pad cover 3, the engagement strength between the first fastening region 33a and the absorption pad 2 is preferably 0.5 N or more, more preferably 1.0 N or more, and still more preferably 1.5 N or more. Also, from the perspective of enhancing the operability when removing the absorption pad 2 from the pad cover 3, the engagement strength between the first fastening region 33a and the absorption pad 2 is preferably 5.0 N or less, more preferably 4.0 N or less, and still more preferably 3.0 N or less. Summarizing the above, the engagement strength between the first fastening region 33a and the absorption pad 2 is preferably 0.5 N or more and 5.0 N or less, more preferably 1.0 N or more and 4.0 N or less, and still more preferably 1.5 N or more and 3.0 N or less. In addition, when the pad cover 3 has a plurality of first fastening regions 33a, the engagement strength represents the engagement strength between one first fastening region and the absorption pad 2.

[0045] 〔Method for Measuring the Engagement Strength between the First Fastening Region 33a and the Absorption Pad 2〕 The pad cover 3 is in a deployed and extended state, and a rectangular test piece (hereinafter also referred to as the "first test piece") with a size of 7 cm in the lateral direction Y and 5 cm in the longitudinal direction X, including the first fastening region 33a, is cut out. Also, from the absorption pad 2, a test piece (hereinafter also referred to as the "second test piece") having the same size as the first test piece, including the position corresponding to the first fastening region 33a of the first test piece, is cut out. The "position corresponding to the first fastening region 33a of the first test piece" refers to the region that overlaps the first fastening region 33a in plan view when the absorption pad 2 is fixed at the proper position of the pad cover 3. The first test piece and the second test piece are overlapped so that the first fastening region 33a on the first test piece and the region corresponding to the first fastening region 33a on the second test piece overlap. At this time, they are overlapped so that the longitudinal directions (lateral direction Y) of the first test piece and the second test piece coincide. Then, a pressure of 10 kPa is applied for 5 seconds to the position that overlaps the first fastening region 33a in plan view to engage the first test piece and the second test piece, and a post-engagement sample is obtained. After engagement, the sample is set between a pair of chucks (5 cm) of an autograph tensile testing machine (manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation, product name "AGX-V") such that the longitudinal direction of the post-engagement sample coincides with the tensile direction. Specifically, first, the inner end region in the transverse direction Y of the first test piece is fixed by one chuck. At this time, in order to suppress the deflection of the second sheet 42 included in the first test piece, at least a part of the second sheet 42 is fixed by the one chuck. Also, the outer end region in the transverse direction Y of the second test piece is fixed by the other chuck. After fixing the post-engagement sample with a pair of chucks, the distance between the chucks is increased at a constant speed (300 mm / min), and the maximum load until the pad cover 3 is peeled off from the absorption pad 2 is measured. When there are a plurality of first fastening regions 33a, the above measurement is performed for each of the first fastening regions 33a, and the maximum load until the pad cover 3 is peeled off from the absorption pad 2 is measured. The above measurement is performed for a total of three sets of the pad cover 3 and the absorption pad 2, and the arithmetic mean value of all the measured maximum loads is defined as the engagement strength between the first fastening region 33a and the absorption pad 2.

[0046] In the present embodiment, the pad cover 3 has a high light transmittance portion having a higher light transmittance at the center in the transverse direction Y of the crotch M than at both side portions in the transverse direction Y. Specifically, the sheet-like member 30C of the cover body 30 that constitutes the center in the transverse direction Y of the crotch M of the pad cover 3 is made of a mesh fabric with a high light transmittance and functions as the high light transmittance portion. The mesh fabric is a sheet-like cloth in which a plurality of through holes are scattered. The sheet-like member 30C made of the mesh fabric has a higher light transmittance than the other sheet-like members 30A, 30B, and 30D to 30G that are not made of the mesh fabric and has a see-through property. Therefore, in the state of wearing the diaper 1 as shown in FIG. 1, the portion of the absorption pad 2 that overlaps with the sheet-like member 30C (high light transmittance portion) of the pad cover 3 is visible from the outside through the sheet-like member 30C. Also, the sheet-like member 30C made of the mesh fabric has flexibility and can be extended in the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y.

[0047] From the viewpoint of more securely fixing the absorption pad 2, the pad cover 3 of the present embodiment preferably has two second fastening regions 33b, 33b for detachably fixing the absorption pad 2 on the skin-facing surface 3a side of the ventral part F. Similar to the first fastening region 33a, the second fastening region 33b can be a region made of a fastening material such as a male member of a mechanical hook-and-loop fastener. Typically, the second fastening region 33b is disposed at a position corresponding to the corner (angular part) on the ventral part F side of the absorption pad 2 on the skin-facing surface 3a of the pad cover 3. Details of the male member of the mechanical hook-and-loop fastener used as the second fastening region 33b will be described later. There is no particular limitation on the shape of the second fastening region 33b in plan view. However, in the illustrated embodiment, it has a rectangular shape, and the long side of the rectangle extends in the longitudinal direction X. By arranging the second fastening region 33b in such a direction, when lateral friction in the Y direction occurs between the skin of the wearer and the absorption pad 2 due to changes in the abdominal circumference or posture of the wearer, the absorption pad 2 can be more effectively prevented from peeling off from the second fastening region 33b.

[0048] The phrase "extends in the longitudinal direction X" includes both a form in which the extending direction of the side exactly coincides with the longitudinal direction X and a form in which it does not exactly coincide but substantially extends in the longitudinal direction X. Specifically, if the angle on the acute angle side among the angles formed by the side defining the periphery of the second fastening region 33b and the longitudinal direction X is 0 degrees or more and 7 degrees or less, the side is regarded as extending in the longitudinal direction X. From the viewpoint of more surely obtaining the above-described effect, the formed angle is preferably 0 degrees or more and 5 degrees or less, and more preferably 0 degrees or more and 3 degrees or less.

[0049] As described above, in the illustrated embodiment, while the long side of the rectangle of the second fastening region extends in the vertical direction X, the long side (outer edge 57) of the rectangle of the first fastening region 33a extends along the third side 53 of the second sheet 42. Therefore, the direction in which the long side of the rectangle of the first fastening region 33a extends and the direction in which the long side of the rectangle of the second fastening region 33b extends do not coincide. By adopting such a configuration, as will be described later, when the pad cover 3 is folded with the vertical center line CLx as a folding line and the skin-facing surfaces facing each other, the two first fastening regions 33a, 33a and the two second fastening regions 33b, 33b are likely to overlap. That is, even if the positions of the first fastening region 33a and the second fastening region 33b in the lateral direction Y are slightly displaced, the pad cover 3 can be folded so that the two overlap. From the viewpoint of making such an effect more prominent, the acute angle side of the angle formed by the long side of the rectangle of the first fastening region 33a and the long side of the rectangle of the second fastening region 33b is preferably 3 degrees or more and 50 degrees or less, more preferably 7 degrees or more and 45 degrees or less, and still more preferably 12 degrees or more and 35 degrees or less.

[0050] In the present embodiment, the pad cover 3 has a longer length in the lateral direction Y of the dorsal part R than those of the ventral part F and the crotch part M. Specifically, the end in the vertical direction X on the dorsal part R side of the pad cover 3 is the dorsal waist part RW disposed around the wearer's waist. The dorsal waist part RW has a longer width than other parts of the pad cover 3 and has a pair of protruding parts 3R1, 3R1 that protrude outward in the lateral direction Y from the maximum width part in the ventral part F and the crotch part M (the ventral part F in the illustrated form). A fastening member 34 used when wearing the pad cover 3 is disposed on the skin-facing surface at each end in the lateral direction Y of the pair of protruding parts 3R1, 3R1.

[0051] When wearing the pad cover 3, as shown in FIG. 3, both sides in the lateral direction Y of the dorsal part R (the protruding parts 3R1) are fastened to the fastened region 35 disposed on the non-skin-facing surface 3b of the ventral part F via the fastening member 34 disposed on the skin-facing surface 3a of both sides. As the fastening structure including the fastening member 34 and the fastened region 35, those adopted in this type of absorbent article can be adopted without particular limitation. For example, a mechanical surface fastener can be mentioned. In the present embodiment, the fastening member 34 is the male member, and the fastened region 35 is the female member. In the present embodiment, the fastened region 35 is composed of the non-skin-side sheet 37 of the sheet-like member 30A described above. In the fastened region 35, a plurality of ventral sheet joining portions 38 extending in the longitudinal direction X are intermittently arranged in the lateral direction Y. Such a plurality of ventral sheet joining portions 38 intermittently arranged in the lateral direction Y can serve as a guide for the fastening position when fastening the fastening member 34 to the fastened region 35.

[0052] In the present embodiment, on the skin-facing surface 3a of the pad cover 3, a plurality of fastening regions 33a, 33b and a fastening member 34 for detachably fixing the pad cover 3 to the non-skin-facing surface 2b of the absorbent pad 2 are arranged. According to a conventional method, the state in which the absorbent pad 2 is fixed to the pad cover 3 through all of these plurality of fastening regions 33a, 33b and the fastening member 34 is "the state in which the absorbent pad 2 is fixed at an appropriate position on the pad cover 3". Information regarding the usage method of the diaper 1, including an appropriate method for fixing the absorbent 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 writing the usage method of the diaper 1 on the packaging package of the diaper 1, and a method of introducing the usage method of the diaper 1 on the website of 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.

[0053] The pad cover 3 is provided with the fastening regions 33a, 33b and the fastening member 34. Generally, when washing clothes provided with the fastening region and / or the fastening member, another piece of clothing to be washed at the same time may come into contact with the fastening region and / or the fastening member, damaging the other piece of clothing. Also, the fiber of another piece of clothing may get entangled in the fastening region and / or the fastening member, reducing the engaging force of the fastening region and / or the fastening member. On the other hand, in the pad cover 3 of the present embodiment, a pocket can be formed between the non-joined portion 44 of the first sheet 41 and the second sheet 42, and since the pocket opens outward in the lateral direction Y, as shown in FIG. 7(a), the pair of protruding portions 3R1, 3R1 where the fastening members 34, 34 are arranged can be accommodated in the pocket (hereinafter, the state where the pad cover 3 is folded as shown in FIG. 7(a) is also referred to as "state A"). In state A, since the fastening members 34 are not exposed to the outside, by washing the pad cover 3 in this state, it is possible to prevent other clothes to be washed simultaneously from being damaged. Also, it is possible to avoid a decrease in the engaging force of the fastening members 34 due to the entanglement of fibers of other clothes with the fastening members 34.

[0054] FIG. 7(b) shows another folding method of the pad cover 3. The pad cover 3 shown in FIG. 7(b) is folded along the horizontal center line CLy and the skin-facing surfaces 3a face each other (hereinafter, the state where the pad cover 3 is folded as shown in FIG. 7(b) is also referred to as "state B"). In the pad cover 3 in state B, since neither the fastening regions 33a, 33b nor the fastening members 34 are exposed to the outside, by washing the pad cover 3 in this state, it is possible to avoid damage to other clothes to be washed simultaneously and a decrease in the engaging force of the fastening regions 33a, 33b and the fastening members 34. In order to more reliably maintain state B during washing, when the pad cover 3 is in state B, it is preferable that the two first fastening regions 33a, 33a overlap each other and the two second fastening regions 33b, 33b overlap each other. By arranging the two first fastening regions 33a, 33a and the two second fastening regions 33b, 33b in this way, the two first fastening regions 33a, 33a and the two second fastening regions 33b, 33b can be engaged with each other in state B, so that state B can be more reliably maintained during washing.

[0055] In this embodiment, the two first fastening regions 33a, 33a are arranged at positions symmetric with respect to the horizontal center line CLy in the deployed and extended state of the pad cover 3 (see FIG. 1). Also, the two second fastening regions 33b, 33b are arranged at positions symmetric with respect to the horizontal center line CLy in the deployed and extended state of the pad cover 3. Therefore, when the pad cover 3 is in state B, the two first fastening regions 33a, 33a and the two second fastening regions 33b, 33b completely overlap each other respectively. Further, in this embodiment, since the two fastening members 34, 34 are arranged at positions symmetric with respect to the horizontal center line CLy, the two fastening members 34, 34 can overlap and engage with each other in state B. Therefore, state B is more reliably maintained during selection.

[0056] FIG. 7(c) shows yet another folding method of the pad cover 3. The pad cover 3 shown in FIG. 7(c) is first put in state A, and then further folded with the vertical center line CLx as the folding line and with the skin-facing surfaces 3a facing each other (hereinafter, the state where the pad cover 3 is folded as shown in FIG. 7(c) is also referred to as "state C"). Also in the pad cover 3 in state C, since neither the first fastening region 33a nor the fastening member 34 is exposed to the outside, by washing the pad cover 3 in this state, damage to other clothes to be washed simultaneously and a decrease in the engaging force of the first fastening region 33a and the fastening member 34 can be avoided. In order to more reliably maintain state C during washing, when the pad cover 3 is in state C, it is preferable that the two first fastening regions 33a, 33a and the two second fastening regions 33b, 33b are arranged so as to overlap each other. By arranging the two first fastening regions 33a, 33a and the two second fastening regions 33b, 33b in this way, the two first fastening regions 33a, 33a and the two second fastening regions 33b, 33b can be engaged with each other in state C, so that state C can be more reliably maintained during washing.

[0057] In this embodiment, the two first fastening regions 33a, 33a and the two second fastening regions 33b, 33b are arranged at positions symmetric with respect to the vertical center line CLx in the unfolded and extended state of the pad cover 3 (see FIG. 1). Therefore, when the pad cover 3 is in the state C, the two first fastening regions 33a, 33a and the two second fastening regions 33b, 33b overlap each other.

[0058] Also, from the viewpoint of maintaining the states B and C during washing, it is preferable that the first fastening regions 33a, 33a and the second fastening regions 33b, 33b can be engaged with each other. Here, "can be engaged with each other" means that all of the following (i) to (iii) are satisfied. (i) The two first fastening regions 33a, 33a can be engaged with each other. (ii) The two second fastening regions 33b, 33b can be engaged with each other. (iii) The first fastening region 33a and the second fastening region 33b can be engaged with each other. Also, that two members "can be engaged with each other" means that the engagement strength between the two members is preferably 0.15 N or more, more preferably 0.20 N or more, and still more preferably 0.25 N or more. Also, from the viewpoint of more reliably maintaining the state B, in addition to the above (i) to (iii), it is more preferable that the following (iv) is satisfied. (iv) The two fastening members 34, 34 can be engaged with each other.

[0059] 〔Method for measuring the engagement strength between two members (fastening regions 33a, 33b or fastening members 34)〕 First, as shown in FIG. 7(b) or (c), the pad cover 3 is folded along the horizontal center line CLy or the vertical center line CLx as a broken line. Next, a pressure of 10 kPa is applied for 5 seconds to a position where the two members for measuring the engagement strength overlap in a plan view to engage the two members, and a sample after engagement is obtained. Since the post - engagement sample is folded along the horizontal center line CLy or the vertical center line CLx as a broken line, it has a two - layer structure including a first layer and a second layer. This post - engagement sample is fixed between a pair of chucks (5 cm) of an autograph tensile testing machine (manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation, product name "AGX - V"). Specifically, the constituent member of the first layer is fixed to one chuck, and the constituent member of the second layer is fixed to the other chuck. At this time, the tensile direction is made to coincide with the thickness direction of the post - engagement sample. Then, the distance between the chucks is increased at a constant speed (300 mm / min), and the maximum load until the two members are peeled off is measured. This measurement is carried out 3 times, and the arithmetic mean value is taken as the engagement strength between the two members.

[0060] As the fastening regions 33a, 33b and the fastening member 34 satisfying the above (i) to (iv), for example, the male member of a mechanical surface fastener can be cited. The male member of the mechanical surface fastener is typically a face member in which an engaging member 60 composed of a hook - shaped or T - shaped protrusion 61 is arranged on one surface (see FIGS. 8(a) and (b)). By making the width W2 of the protrusion 61 larger than the arrangement interval W1 of the protrusions 61 in the fastening regions 33a, 33b, as shown in FIGS. 8(a) and (b), the male members can be easily engaged with each other, so that the pad cover 3 satisfies the above (i) to (iii). Similarly, in the two fastening members 34, 34, by making the width W2 of the protrusion 61 larger than the arrangement interval W1 of the protrusions 61, the pad cover 3 satisfies the above (iv).

[0061] Hereinafter, the absorbent pad 2 that is detachably fixed to the pad cover 3 and used will be further described. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 9, the absorbent 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 lateral 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 non-woven fabrics and perforated films. Examples of the back sheet 22 include resin films and laminates of resin films and non-woven fabrics. The absorber 23 mainly consists of an absorbent core (not shown) capable of absorbing and retaining excreta such as urine. The absorbent core is mainly composed of a water-absorbing material. Examples of the water-absorbing material include fibrous 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, non-woven fabric, or the like.

[0062] The absorbent pad 2 includes cuff sheets 240 and cuff elastic members 241 disposed on both sides along the longitudinal direction X on the skin-facing surface 2a thereof, and is provided with a pair of leak-proof cuffs 24, 24 having a standing portion that stands up toward the wearer's skin side when the diaper 1 is worn. 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 of the leak-proof cuff stands up toward the wearer's skin side. Due to the standing of such a leak-proof cuff, the outward flow of excreta such as urine in the lateral direction Y is more effectively prevented.

[0063] The absorbent article of the present invention comprises a pad cover and an absorbent pad, and is an assembled absorbent article that requires an assembly operation of detachably fixing the absorbent pad to the skin-facing surface of the 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.

[0064] As described above, the present invention has been described based on its preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be appropriately modified without departing from the gist of the present invention. Regarding the embodiments of the present invention described above, the following additional remarks are disclosed.

[0065] <1> 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, 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 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, a dorsal waist portion disposed around the waist of the wearer during wearing in the dorsal side portion has elasticity in the transverse direction, the dorsal waist portion includes a first sheet and a second sheet partially joined to the skin-facing surface of the first sheet, having a first fastening region on the skin-facing surface side of the second sheet where the absorption pad can be fixed, the second sheet has a non-joined portion that can be separated from the skin-facing surface of the first sheet without being joined to the skin-facing surface of the first sheet at least in the arrangement region of the first fastening region, the pad cover. <2> A pocket can be formed between the first sheet and the non-joined portion of the second sheet, the pocket opens outward in the transverse direction, the pad cover according to <1>. <3> the second sheet, in a plan view, a first side extending in the transverse direction, a second side extending inward in the longitudinal direction from an end portion located inward in the transverse direction among both end portions of the first side, a third side extending inward in the longitudinal direction from an end portion located outward in the transverse direction among both end portions of the first side, having a triangular shape surrounded by the first side and the second side are joined to the first sheet, the non-joined part includes the third side, the pad cover according to <1> or <2>. <4> the first fastening region has an outer edge extending in the longitudinal direction along the third side in plan view, the pad cover according to <3>.

[0066] <5> the first fastening region has a rectangular shape in plan view, and the outer edge is the long side of the rectangle, the pad cover according to <4>. <6> the first sheet is provided with two second sheets arranged side by side in the lateral direction on the skin-facing surface of the first sheet, the lateral distance between the outer edge located on the skin-facing surface side of one of the second sheets and the outer edge located on the skin-facing surface side of the other second sheet gradually decreases from the dorsal side to the lower thigh side, the pad cover according to <4> or <5>. <7> the extending direction of the third side does not coincide with the longitudinal direction, the pad cover according to any one of <3> to <6>. <8> the first sheet is provided with two second sheets arranged side by side in the lateral direction on the skin-facing surface of the first sheet, the first fastening regions provided on the skin-facing surface sides of the two second sheets each have a rectangular shape in plan view, the lateral distance between the long side of the rectangle of one of the first fastening regions and the long side of the rectangle of the other first fastening region gradually decreases from the dorsal side to the lower thigh side, the pad cover according to any one of <3> to <7>.

[0067] <9> the second sheet has a quadrilateral shape surrounded by a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side in plan view, the first side and the fourth side extend in the lateral direction, The second side and the third side extend in the vertical direction, and the third side is located outward in the horizontal direction from the second side, the first side, the second side and the fourth side are joined to the first sheet, The non-joined part includes the third side, the pad cover according to <1> or <2>. <10> In plan view, the second sheet has a rectangular shape surrounded by a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side, the first side and the fourth side extend in the horizontal direction, the second side and the third side extend in the vertical direction, and the third side is located outward in the horizontal direction from the second side, the first side and the fourth side are joined to the first sheet, The non-joined part includes the second side and the third side, the pad cover according to <1> or <2>. <11> The pad cover according to any one of <1> to <10>, wherein the engagement strength between the first fastening region and the absorption pad is 0.5 N or more and 5.0 N or less. <12> The pad cover according to any one of <1> to <11>, having two second fastening regions for fixing the absorption pad on the skin-facing side of the ventral part. <13> The second fastening region has a rectangular shape in plan view, The long side of the rectangle of the second fastening region extends in the vertical direction, the pad cover according to <12>.

[0068] <14> In plan view, the second sheet, a first side extending in the horizontal direction, and a second side extending inward in the vertical direction from an end portion located inward in the horizontal direction among both end portions of the first side, Of both ends of the first side, a third side extending inward in the longitudinal direction from the end located outward in the lateral direction; It has a triangular shape surrounded by; The first fastening region has an outer edge extending in the longitudinal direction along the third side in plan view; The first fastening region has a rectangular shape in plan view, and the outer edge is the long side of the rectangle; The pad cover according to <13>, wherein the direction in which the long side of the rectangle of the first fastening region extends and the direction in which the long side of the rectangle of the second fastening region extends do not match. <15> The pad cover has a longitudinal center line that bisects the pad cover in the longitudinal direction, a lateral center line that bisects the pad cover in the lateral direction, and two of the first fastening regions; When the pad cover is folded with the lateral center line as a folding line and the skin-facing surfaces facing each other, the two first fastening regions overlap each other, and the two second fastening regions overlap each other, and the two first fastening regions and the two second fastening regions are arranged; When the pad cover is folded with the longitudinal center line as a folding line and the skin-facing surfaces facing each other, the two first fastening regions and the two second fastening regions overlap each other, and the two first fastening regions and the two second fastening regions are arranged; The pad cover according to any one of <12> to <14>, wherein the first fastening region and the second fastening region are each engageable with each other. <16> The ventral part includes a sheet-like member; The sheet-like member has a laminated structure including a skin-side sheet and a non-skin-side sheet disposed on the non-skin-facing surface side of the skin-side sheet; A plurality of ventral sheet joints on straight lines in plan view extending in the longitudinal direction are intermittently arranged in the lateral direction on the sheet-like member; The pad cover according to any one of <1> to <15>, wherein the skin-side sheet and the non-skin-side sheet are joined at the ventral sheet joint. <17> An absorbent article comprising the pad cover according to any one of <1> to <16> and an absorbent pad.

Explanation of Signs

[0069] 1 Diaper (absorbent article) 2 Absorbent pad 3 Pad cover 33a First fastening region 44 Non-bonded portion 45 Arrangement region of the first fastening region 41 First sheet 42 Second sheet F Abdominal side M Crotch R Back side RW Back waist X Longitudinal direction Y Lateral direction

Claims

1. 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, 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 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, wherein the dorsal waist portion disposed around the wearer's waist during wearing in the dorsal side portion has elasticity in the transverse direction, the dorsal waist portion includes a first sheet and a second sheet partially joined to the skin-facing surface of the first sheet, having a first fastening region on the skin-facing surface side of the second sheet where the absorption pad can be fixed, the second sheet has a non-joined portion that can be separated from the skin-facing surface of the first sheet without being joined to the skin-facing surface of the first sheet at least in the region where the first fastening region is disposed, the pad cover.

2. A pocket can be formed between the first sheet and the non-joined portion of the second sheet, the pocket opens outward in the transverse direction, the pad cover according to claim 1.

3. the second sheet, in plan view, has a first side extending in the transverse direction, a second side extending inward in the longitudinal direction from an end portion located inward in the transverse direction among both end portions of the first side, a third side extending inward in the longitudinal direction from an end portion located outward in the transverse direction among both end portions of the first side, and has a triangular shape surrounded by these, the first side and the second side are joined to the first sheet, the non-joined portion includes the third side, the pad cover according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the first fastening region has an outer edge extending in the longitudinal direction along the third side in plan view, the pad cover according to claim 3.

5. the first fastening region has a rectangular shape in plan view, and the outer edge is the long side of the rectangle, the pad cover according to claim 4.

6. the engagement strength between the first fastening region and the absorption pad is 0.5 N or more and 5.0 N or less, the pad cover according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. having two second fastening regions for fixing the absorption pad on the skin-facing surface side of the ventral side portion, the pad cover according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The pad cover has a vertical center line that bisects the pad cover in the vertical direction, a horizontal center line that bisects the pad cover in the horizontal direction, and two of the first fastening regions. When the pad cover is folded with the horizontal center line as a fold line and the skin-facing surfaces facing each other, the two first fastening regions overlap each other, and the two second fastening regions overlap each other. The two first fastening regions and the two second fastening regions are arranged. When the pad cover is folded with the vertical center line as a fold line and the skin-facing surfaces facing each other, the two first fastening regions and the two second fastening regions overlap each other. The two first fastening regions and the two second fastening regions are arranged. The pad cover according to claim 7, wherein the first fastening region and the second fastening region are each engageable with each other.

9. An absorbent article comprising the pad cover according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and an absorbent pad.

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