Absorbent article and packaged article

Abstract

To provide an absorbent article simplifying determination of an appropriate wearing direction in a short time, and a packaged article.SOLUTION: An absorbent article 1 worn at the crotch of a wearer includes: an absorber 13 arranged along a longitudinal direction of the absorbent article; a plurality of sheets 11, 12 laminated with the absorber in between; and tactile information imparting bodies 31L, 31R extending tilted diagonally relative to the longitudinal direction, arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction, and imparting tactile information in a wearing direction of the absorbent article. The tactile information imparting bodies are provided at positions outermost on the non-skin surface side of the absorbent article when the absorbent article is folded at least into two at a fold extending in the width direction of the absorbent article.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an absorbent article and a packaged product including the absorbent article and a package containing the same.

Background Art

[0002] Some absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, urine pads, and sanitary products have information on the wearing direction (visual information) using characters, symbols, etc. printed on the cover sheet on the non-skin side. (For example, see Patent Document 1). By visually recognizing such visual information, the wearer can determine on which side of the wearer's abdominal side and back side each of the both ends in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article should be directed. Thereby, the absorbent article can be worn on the wearer in an appropriate wearing direction.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the printed content and printed position of the visual information on the wearing direction vary depending on the manufacturer of the absorbent article. In addition, visual information other than the wearing direction such as the name and function of the absorbent article may be printed. For this reason, every time the wearer tries to wear the absorbent article on the wearer, it is necessary to search for such visual information to confirm the wearing direction, and it may be difficult to determine the appropriate wearing direction of the absorbent article in a short time.

[0005] In one aspect, the present disclosure has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an absorbent article and a packaged product that facilitate determining an appropriate wearing direction in a short time.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, when the tactile information imparting body is in a state where the absorbent article is folded into at least two parts by a fold extending in the width direction of the absorbent article, it is provided at the outermost position on the non-skin surface side of the absorbent article.

[0007] Specifically, the present invention is an absorbent article worn under the crotch of a wearer, comprising: an absorber arranged along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article; a plurality of sheets laminated with the absorber interposed therebetween; and a tactile information imparting body that extends obliquely with respect to the longitudinal direction and is arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction to impart tactile information in the wearing direction of the absorbent article. When the absorbent article is folded into at least two parts by a fold extending in the width direction of the absorbent article, the tactile information imparting body is provided at the outermost position on the non-skin surface side of the absorbent article.

[0008] In the above absorbent article, a concave portion or a convex portion is formed on the non-skin surface side of the absorbent article by embossing, and the tactile information imparting body may be the concave portion or the convex portion.

[0009] Further, in the above absorbent article, some of the plurality of sheets are adhered to each other, and the tactile information imparting body may be the adhesion portion between some of the sheets.

[0010] Further, in the above absorbent article, an elastic member is ultrasonically welded to some of the plurality of sheets in an extended state, and the tactile information imparting body may be the welding portion between some of the sheets and the elastic member. member.

[0011] Further, in the above absorbent article, at least a pair of elastic members are adhered to some of the plurality of sheets in an extended state, and wrinkles are formed between the pair of elastic members due to the contraction of the pair of elastic members. The tactile information imparting body may be the wrinkles.

[0012] In the absorbent article, the tactile information imparting body is composed of at least a first linear part and a second linear part, and at least one of the first linear part and the second linear part extends obliquely with respect to the longitudinal direction. One end of the first linear part and one end of the second linear part are connected to each other facing the part corresponding to the abdomen, and the other end of the first linear part and the other end of the second linear part may be separated from each other facing the part corresponding to the back.

[0013] In the absorbent article, the tactile information imparting body is in the shape of an arrow composed of a first linear part, a second linear part, and a third linear part. The first linear part and the second linear part may form the arrowhead part of the arrow, and the third linear part may form the shaft part of the arrow.

[0014] In this case, the third linear part may be separated from the connection point between the first linear part and the second linear part.

[0015] The first linear part and the second linear part may be solid lines, and the third linear part may be a broken line.

[0016] In the absorbent article, the tactile information imparting body may be provided at the outermost part on the non-skin side of the absorbent article when the absorbent article is folded into at least two parts by a fold.

[0017] In this case, the outermost part may be a part in the range from the position of the fold to a position with a length of at least 100 mm in the longitudinal direction.

[0018] The present invention also relates to a package, which includes any one of the above absorbent articles and a package body for enclosing the absorbent article. The package body forms a substantially rectangular parallelepiped when the absorbent article is filled, and an opening part is provided on at least one surface of the substantially rectangular parallelepiped. The absorbent article is stored in the package body in a state of being folded into at least two parts by a fold extending in the width direction of the absorbent article, and the fold of the absorbent article faces the opening part of the package body.

[0019] In the above-mentioned packaging article, the openable part is a perforation provided on the package, and an opening may be formed by cutting along the perforation.

Advantages of the Invention

[0020] According to the present invention, it is possible to easily determine the appropriate wearing direction in a short time.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Figure 17

Figure 18

Figure 19

Figure 20

Figure 21

Figure 22

Figure 23

Figure 24

Figure 25

Figure 26

Figure 27

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0022] Hereinafter, an absorbent article and a packaging product according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the configurations of the following embodiments are examples, and the present invention is not limited to the configurations of these embodiments.

[0023] <Embodiment> First, absorbent articles will be described. In the present embodiment, for an absorbent pad (an example of the "absorbent article" referred to in the present application), the direction connecting the front body portion disposed to face the abdomen of the wearer and the back body portion disposed to face the back is defined as the longitudinal direction. Between these front body portions (one side in the longitudinal direction) and the back body portions (the other side in the longitudinal direction) (the center in the longitudinal direction), there is a crotch portion disposed under the crotch of the wearer (disposed to face the crotch). Further, in a state where the absorbent pad is worn on the wearer (hereinafter abbreviated as the "worn state"), the side facing the skin of the wearer (the inner side in the worn state) is defined as the skin surface side, and the opposite side of the skin surface side (the outer side in the worn state) is defined as the non-skin surface side. Furthermore, the direction connecting the skin surface side and the non-skin surface side is defined as the thickness direction, and the direction orthogonal to both the longitudinal direction and the thickness direction is defined as the width direction. In addition, viewing from the thickness direction is defined as a plan view.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the absorbent pad 1 in an extended state as viewed from the skin surface side. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent pad 1 shown in FIG. 1 when cut along line A-A. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the absorbent pad 1 in an extended state as viewed from the non-skin surface side. The absorbent pad 1 is used to absorb and hold liquids such as urine and can be used alone or can be used by being stacked inside a disposable diaper. As shown in FIG. 1, the absorbent pad 1 includes a front body portion region 3 located on the abdomen side of the wearer in the worn state, a crotch region 5 located under the crotch, and a back body portion region 7 located on the back side. The absorbent pad 1 is divided into a front body portion region 3, a crotch region 5, and a back body portion region 7 when viewed in the longitudinal direction. Note that the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction is the width direction (the short side direction) of the absorbent pad 1. The absorbent pad 1 has the narrowest lateral width in the crotch region 5 in a plan view, and the crotch region 5 has a gourd shape with a constriction.

[0025] In the following, when the absorbent pad 1 is viewed in the longitudinal direction, the relatively front body region 3 side is referred to as "front", "front side", "frontward", or "abdomen side", and the relatively back body region 7 side is referred to as "rear", "rear side", "rearward", or "back side". Relatively, the left side when moving from the rear side toward the front side is referred to as "left", "left side", or "leftward", and the relatively right side when moving from the rear side toward the front side is referred to as "right", "right side", or "rightward". Note that the front-rear direction of the absorbent pad 1 is the longitudinal direction, and the left-right direction of the absorbent pad 1 is the width direction. Also, the direction orthogonal to the front-rear and left-right directions is the thickness direction of the absorbent pad 1.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the absorbent pad 1 includes a topsheet 11 disposed on the skin surface side in the worn state. The topsheet 11 is the portion (skin surface) that contacts the wearer's skin in the worn state of the absorbent pad 1, and has a rectangular shape in plan view with the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1 being the long side. The topsheet 11 is formed of a liquid-permeable material that allows liquids such as urine to pass through. Specifically, woven fabrics, non-woven fabrics, porous films, etc. are used for the topsheet 11. Note that, for the non-woven fabric, those obtained by hydrophilizing fibers of thermoplastic resins such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, and nylon may be used, or air-through non-woven fabrics, point-bond non-woven fabrics, spunbond non-woven fabrics, meltblown non-woven fabrics, etc. may be used.

[0027] Also, the absorbent pad 1 includes a backsheet 12 disposed on the opposite side of the skin surface in the worn state. The backsheet 12 is the portion that becomes the non-skin surface (outer surface) opposite to the skin surface, and has generally the same ladle shape as the absorbent pad 1 in plan view. Note that the backsheet The backsheet 12 may have a shape other than a ladle shape in plan view, for example, a rectangular shape. The backsheet 12 is formed of a liquid-impermeable material that does not allow liquids such as urine to pass through. Specifically, a liquid-impermeable film formed of a polyethylene resin is used for the backsheet 12. Note that for the backsheet 12, in order to obtain air permeability to prevent stuffiness during wearing while maintaining liquid impermeability, it is preferable to use a microporous polyethylene film in which a plurality of fine pores of 0.1 to 4 μm are formed. Further, the backsheet 12 is not limited to a single-layer structure and may have a multilayer structure having an inner backsheet and an outer backsheet. Furthermore, information such as the type of the absorbent pad 1 and the wearing direction may be printed on the non-skin side of the backsheet 12.

[0028] In addition, recesses or projections, for example, recesses 31L and 31R, are formed in the backsheet 12 by heating and pressing in embossing. In this embossing, the backsheet 12 is heated and pressed at a plurality of locations at intervals along the longitudinal direction over the entire length of the backsheet 12, and at each individual location, it is heated and pressed while being inclined obliquely with respect to the longitudinal direction, so that the recesses 31L and 31R are formed in the backsheet 12. As a result, a plurality of recesses 31 are arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction over the entire length of the backsheet 12, and the individual recesses 31L and 31R extend obliquely with respect to the longitudinal direction. For example, a part of the plurality of recesses 31L and 31R is formed in portions V1L and V1R surrounded by a dotted line in FIG. 3.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view when a part of the plurality of recesses 31L and 31R shown in FIG. 3 is cut along lines BL-BL and BR-BR.

[0030] By the embossing process described above, for example, in portions V2L and V2R of the absorbent pad 1, as shown in FIG. 4, the heated and pressurized portions of the backsheet 12 are compressed from one side in the thickness direction of the backsheet 12, for example, the non-skin side, and recesses 31L and 31R that are recessed on the skin side are formed in the backsheet 12. Note that the heated and pressurized portions may be compressed from both sides in the thickness direction of the backsheet 12 to form the recesses 31L and 31R.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3, the recesses 31L and 31R have a substantially parallelogram shape that is inclined obliquely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1 in plan view. Specifically, among the recesses 31L and 31R, the portions on the outer side in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 are inclined toward the back region 7 side (back side), and the portions on the inner side in the width direction are inclined toward the front region 3 side (abdomen side).

[0032] When touching such recesses 31L and 31R and moving a finger in the longitudinal direction, the following sensations can be obtained by the recesses 31L and 31R. For example, when moving a finger from the front end portion 1F side toward the rear end portion 1B side, a feeling of diverging outward in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 along the recesses 31L and 31R can be obtained. On the contrary, when moving a finger from the rear end portion 1B side toward the front end portion 1F side, a feeling of converging inward in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 along the recesses 31L and 31R can be obtained. Therefore, the direction of the front end portion 1F in the absorbent pad 1 in the present embodiment can be recognized in a predetermined direction. As a result, the person in contact with the recesses 31L and 31R can know which of the front end portion 1F and the rear end portion 1B in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1 is the end portion on the front region 3 side, and can determine the appropriate wearing direction of the absorbent pad 1. In this way, the recesses 31L and 31R function as a tactile information imparting body that imparts tactile information on the wearing direction of the absorbent pad 1.

[0033] The top sheet 11 and the back sheet 12 are joined to each other at both front and rear ends in the longitudinal direction of each absorbent pad 1 by a hot melt adhesive. Further, the absorbent pad 1 is disposed between the top sheet 11 and the back sheet 12 and includes an absorber 13 that absorbs liquids such as urine.

[0034] The absorber 13 has a structure in which a granular absorbent resin such as a highly hydrophilic superabsorbent polymer having a crosslinked structure capable of absorbing and retaining water is held in the gaps between fibers of cellulosic fibers such as pulp fibers, rayon fibers, or cotton fibers, or fibers obtained by subjecting synthetic fibers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyethylene terephthalate to a hydrophilization treatment. Therefore, when the absorber 13 absorbs the liquid excreted from the wearer, it swells the absorbent resin held in the gaps within the fibers and retains the liquid within the fibers. The absorber 13 may have a single-layer structure composed of a single mat or a laminated structure in which a plurality of mats are stacked. Further, the absorber 13 can adopt an appropriate shape according to the purpose. For example, in the present embodiment, the absorber 13 has substantially the same ladle shape as the absorbent pad 1 in a plan view. Also, the absorber 13 may have a rectangular shape in a plan view. Note that the longitudinal direction of the absorber 13 coincides with the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1, and the width direction of the absorber 13 coincides with the width direction of the absorbent pad 1.

[0035] Further, in the absorbent pad 1 according to the present embodiment, leg gathers 14L and 14R are provided at a portion surrounding the wearer's leg (thigh portion) in order to suppress the formation of a gap serving as a liquid outflow path between the absorbent pad 1 and the wearer's skin, and three-dimensional gathers 15L and 15R are provided inside the absorbent pad 1 in the width direction with respect to the leg gathers 14L and 14R. The leg gathers 14L and 14R and the three-dimensional gathers 15L and 15R are in close contact with the wearer's skin by the elastic force of the elastic member. Therefore, the liquid discharged from the wearer's crotch is absorbed by the absorber 13 of the absorbent pad 1 without leaking from the absorbent pad 1. Note that as the elastic member, a thread-like or belt-like elastic non-woven fabric, rubber, or the like can be appropriately selected.

[0036] ​ In order to form the above-described three-dimensional gathers 15L and 15R, the absorbent pad 1 includes elongated strip-shaped side sheets 16L and 16R. The side sheets 16L and 16R are liquid-impermeable sheets provided on the skin side of the long-side portions of the top sheet 11. Among the side sheets 16L and 16R, the portions outside the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 are joined to the top sheet 11 by a hot-melt adhesive and are further joined to the back sheet 12 and fixed. Hereinafter, among the side sheets 16L and 16R, the portions outside the width direction of the joining lines 20L and 20R, which are fixed to either the top sheet 11 or the back sheet 12, are also referred to as fixing portions 21L and 21R. On the other hand, the portions inside the width direction of the joining lines 20L and 20R, which are not fixed to either the top sheet 11 or the back sheet 12, are also referred to as free portions 22L and 22R.

[0037] Furthermore, stretchable members 17L and 17R are provided on the side sheets 16L and 16R. The stretchable members 17L and 17R are provided in an appropriate number (one in this embodiment) determined according to the elastic force (contracting force) required in the design of the absorbent pad 1, etc. The stretchable members 17L and 17R are arranged in the free portions 22L and 22R of the side sheets 16L and 16R and extend in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1. Also, the stretchable members 17L and 17R are adhered to the side sheets 16L and 16R in an extended state by a hot-melt adhesive. In this adhesion, the stretchable members 17L and 17R are adhered along the longitudinal direction over the entire length of the stretchable members 17L and 17R. Note that the stretchable members 17L and 17R may be welded to the side sheets 16L and 16R in an extended state by ultrasonic welding. In this welding, the stretchable members 17L and 17R are welded along the longitudinal direction over the entire length of the stretchable members 17L and 17R.

[0038] Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the free portions 22L and 22R of the side sheets 16L and 16R are folded back outward in the width direction at the positions of the stretchable members 17L and 17R, and the sheets overlap each other with the stretchable members 17L and 17R sandwiched therebetween. And the overlapping portions of the sheets are subjected to embossing It is welded by heating and pressurization in the process. In this welding, the sheets are welded along the longitudinal direction over the entire length of the side sheets 16L and 16R. Note that instead of embossing, the sheets may be adhered to each other with a hot melt adhesive.

[0039] The overlapping portions of the side sheets 16L and 16R are welded or adhered not only within the range where the elastic members 17L and 17R extend but also over the entire length of the side sheets 16L and 16R beyond that range. And both front and rear end portions in the longitudinal direction of the overlapping portions of the sheets are joined to the top sheet 11 with a hot melt adhesive respectively.

[0040] The free portions 22L and 22R of the side sheets 16L and 16R are pulled in the longitudinal direction by the contraction force of the elastic members 17L and 17R and rise from the top sheet 11 when the absorbent pad 1 is in the mounted state, that is, when the absorbent pad 1 is in a U-shaped form in side view, to form three-dimensional gathers 15L and 15R that prevent the outflow of liquid (see FIG. 12).

[0041] Also, in order to form the leg gathers 14L and 14R, elastic members 18L and 18R are provided between the back sheet 12 and the side sheets 16L and 16R of the absorbent pad 1 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The elastic members 18L and 18R are provided in an appropriate number (two in this embodiment) determined according to the elastic force (contraction force) required in the design of the absorbent pad 1 and the like. Note that three or more elastic members 18L and 18R may be provided respectively. The elastic members 18L and 18R are arranged at both left and right end portions of the crotch region 5 in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 and extend in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1. Also, the elastic members 18L and 18R are adhered to the back sheet 12 in an extended state with a hot melt adhesive. Further, the elastic members 18L and 18R are adhered to the side sheets 16L and 16R from the skin side with a hot melt adhesive.

[0042] At the joints of the backsheet 12 and the side sheets 16L and 16R at both left and right ends of the crutch region 5 of the absorbent pad 1, when the absorbent pad 1 is in a U-shaped form in side view, it is drawn in the longitudinal direction by the contraction force of the elastic members 18L and 18R to conform to the shape of the wearer's thigh, becoming the leg gathers 14L and 14R (see FIG. 12). When looking at the entire absorbent pad 1, it can be said that the joints of the backsheet 12 and the side sheets 16L and 16R are the same parts as the fixing parts 21L and 21R of the side sheets 16L and 16R.

[0043] The elastic members 17L and 17R used for the three-dimensional gathers 15L and 15R and the elastic members 18L and 18R used for the leg gathers 14L and 14R can have different elastic forces (contraction forces). For example, the elastic members 18L and 18R of the leg gathers 14L and 14R strongly urge the absorbent pad 1 so that the absorbent pad 1 conforms to the shape of the thigh. On the other hand, although the elastic members 17L and 17R of the three-dimensional gathers 15L and 15R are urged to closely adhere to the skin so that the liquid of the wearer does not escape outside the thigh, if they are urged too strongly, it will cause discomfort to the wearer. Therefore, the degree of urging can be set relatively gently. Since the absorbent pad 1 is an absorbent article used in combination with diapers, pants, etc., and does not need to conform to the shape of the thigh only by its own force, the degree of urging of the elastic members 18L and 18R of the leg gathers 14L and 14R can be minimized and set lower than that of the elastic members 17L and 17R of the three-dimensional gathers 15L and 15R.

[0044] As described above, the absorbent pad 1 according to the present embodiment has a structure in which the side sheets 16L and 16R, the top sheet 11, the absorbent body 13, and the backsheet 12 are laminated in this order when viewed in the thickness direction from the skin side. Also, both the front and rear ends of the top sheet 11 and the backsheet 12 in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1 are joined to each other, and both the left and right ends of the side sheets 16L and 16R and the backsheet 12 in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 are joined to each other As a result, the absorbent body 13 is surrounded and sealed by the top sheet 11, the backsheet 12, and the side sheets 16L and 16R.

[0045] Incidentally, the absorbent pad 1 according to the present embodiment is often in a folded state when it is stored in a package or when it is taken out of the package and stored in a storage body such as a shelf in a stacked state. Hereinafter, the folded state of the absorbent pad 1 will be described.

[0046] FIG. 5 is a plan view for explaining the positions of virtual fold lines when the absorbent pad 1 in the extended state is viewed from the non-facing side. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the absorbent pad 1 when the absorbent pad 1 in the state shown in FIG. 5 is folded along a virtual fold line extending in the longitudinal direction, viewed from the non-facing side. FIG. 7 is a side view of the absorbent pad 1 when the absorbent pad 1 in the folded state as shown in FIG. 6 is folded along a virtual fold line extending in the width direction. FIG. 8(A) is a plan view of the absorbent pad 1 in the folded state as shown in FIG. 7, viewed from the non-facing side in the C direction, and FIG. 8(B) is a plan view of the absorbent pad 1 in the folded state as shown in FIG. 7, viewed from the non-facing side in the D direction. Further, FIG. 9 is a side view of the absorbent pad 1 when the absorbent pad 1 in the folded state as shown in FIG. 6 is folded along another virtual fold line extending in the width direction. FIG. 10(A) is a plan view of the absorbent pad 1 in the folded state as shown in FIG. 9, viewed from the non-facing side in the E direction, and FIG. 10(B) is a plan view of the absorbent pad 1 in the folded state as shown in FIG. 9, viewed from the non-facing side in the F direction.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 5, the absorbent pad 1 has virtual fold lines 41L and 41R that extend in the longitudinal direction over the entire length of the absorbent pad 1, and virtual fold lines 42F, 42M, and 42B that extend in the width direction over the entire width of the absorbent pad 1. The fold lines 41L and 41R are provided near the left and right ends of the crotch region 5 of the absorber 13 in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1. Further, the fold line 42F is provided near the boundary line between the front body region 3 and the crotch region 5, and the fold line 42B is provided near the boundary line between the crotch region 5 and the back body region 7. On the other hand, the fold line 42M is provided on the center line in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1.

[0048] When the absorbent pad 1 in the state shown in FIG. 5 is folded on the skin side along the folds 41L and 41R, as shown in FIG. 6, the absorbent pad 1 has an elongated rectangular shape when viewed from the non-skin side. Further, when the absorbent pad 1 folded as shown in FIG. 6 is folded on the skin side along the fold 42F and then folded on the skin side along the fold 42B, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, the absorbent pad 1 is folded into three in the longitudinal direction. Also, when the absorbent pad 1 folded as shown in FIG. 6 is folded on the skin side only along the fold 42M, as shown in FIG. 9, the absorbent pad 1 is folded into two in the longitudinal direction.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 7, when the absorbent pad 1 is folded into three, one of the outermost positions in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body pad 1 on the non-skin side of the absorbent pad 1 (the right position in FIG. 7) has the fold 42B, and the other (the left position in FIG. 7) has the rear end portion 1B of the absorbent pad 1 and the fold 42F. And, on the surface of the folded absorbent pad 1 visible when viewed from the non-skin side in the C direction, as shown in FIG. 8(A), recesses 31L and 31R are provided in both the folds 42F and 42B. Also, on the surface of the folded absorbent pad 1 visible when viewed from the non-skin side in the D direction, as shown in FIG. 8(B), recesses 31L and 31R are provided in both the rear end portion 1B and the fold 42B.

[0050] Also, as shown in FIG. 9, when the absorbent pad 1 is folded into two, one of the outermost positions in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body pad 1 on the non-skin side (the right position in FIG. 9) On one side, there is a fold line 42M, and on the other side (the left side in FIG. 9), there are the front end 1F and the rear end 1B of the absorbent pad 1. And in the folded state of the absorbent pad 1 as seen from the non-skin side in the E direction, as shown in FIG. 10(A), recesses 31L and 31R are provided at both the front end 1F and the fold line 42M. Also, in the folded state of the absorbent pad 1 as seen from the non-skin side in the F direction, as shown in FIG. 10(B), recesses 31L and 31R are provided at both the rear end 1B and the fold line 42M.

[0051] Although not shown, when the absorbent pad 1 in the folded state as shown in FIG. 6 is folded toward the skin side at the fold line 42B and then folded toward the skin side at the fold line 42F, the absorbent pad 1 is also in a state of being folded into three in the longitudinal direction. In this case, on one of the outermost positions in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body pad 1 on the non-skin side of the absorbent pad 1, there are the front end 1F and the fold line 42B, and on the other, there is the fold line 42F of the absorbent pad 1. And in the folded state of the absorbent pad 1 as seen from one direction on the non-skin side, recesses 31L and 31R are provided at both the front end 1F and the fold line 42F, and in the folded state of the absorbent pad 1 as seen from the other direction on the non-skin side, recesses 31L and 31R are provided at both the fold lines 42B and 42F.

[0052] As described above, the absorbent pad 1 is often in a folded state as shown in FIG. 7 or a folded state as shown in FIG. 9 when it is stored in the package or stored in a stacked state in a storage such as a shelf. And when the wearer takes out the stored absorbent pad 1 from the package or the storage, the wearer often tries to grasp the outermost part of the folded absorbent pad 1 with the thumb and the index finger.

[0053] According to this embodiment, when the absorbent pad 1 is in the folded state as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, recesses 31L and 31R as tactile information providers are provided at the outermost positions on the non-skin side of the absorbent pad 1 (for example, the front end 1F, the rear end 1B, the folds 42F, 42B, and 42M that are the outermost in the longitudinal direction). Therefore, when the wearer takes out the absorbent pad 1 from the package or storage body, it is almost certain that the recesses 31L and 31R can be touched. And the wearer can recognize the direction of the front end 1F of the absorbent pad 1 by touching the recesses 31L and 31R. Thereby, it can be known which of the front end 1F and the rear end 1B in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1 is the end on the front body region 3 side, and the wearer can determine the appropriate wearing direction of the absorbent pad 1. As a result, it becomes easy to determine the appropriate wearing direction of the absorbent pad 1 in a short time.

[0054] Also, in this embodiment, since the recesses 31L and 31R are formed over the entire length of the back sheet 12, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, the recesses 31L and 31R are also formed in the entire range from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction of the non-skin side surface of the folded absorbent pad 1. For example, in the case of the non-skin side surface of the absorbent pad 1 shown in FIG. 8(A), the recesses 31L and 31R are formed in the entire range from the fold 42B to the fold 42F, and in the case of the non-skin side surface of the absorbent pad 1 shown in FIG. 8(B), the recesses 31L and 31R are formed in the entire range from the fold 42B to the rear end (rear end 1B) of the absorbent pad 1. Note that the range in which the recesses 31L and 31R are formed is not limited to the entire range from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction of the non-skin side surface of the folded absorbent pad 1, and at least from the positions of one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction to the range up to the position of 100 mm corresponding to the length from the tip of the index finger to the base between the thumb and the index finger (an example of the "outermost part" in the present application) may be sufficient. Thereby, when the wearer takes out the absorbent pad 1 from the package or storage body, it is almost certain that the recesses 31L and 31R can be touched.

[0055] Figure 11 shows the crotch region 5 of the absorbent pad 1 in the folded state as shown in FIG. 7 or FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view. Further, FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the crotch region 5 of the absorbent pad 1 when the absorbent pad 1 is expanded in the longitudinal direction from the folded state as shown in FIG. 7 or FIG. 9. The cross-sectional configurations shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 correspond to the cross-sectional configuration shown in FIG. 2

[0056] As shown in FIG. 11, when in the folded state as shown in FIG. 7 or FIG. 9, in the crotch region 5 of the absorbent pad 1, the side sheets 16L, 16R and the back sheet 12 are folded back to the skin side near both left and right ends of the absorbent body 13. Thereby, the free portions 22L, 22R of the side sheets 16L, 16R including the elastic members 17L, 17R overlap the skin side of the top sheet 11. Further, the joint portions (fixed portions 21L, 21R of the side sheets 16L, 16R) of the back sheet 12 and the side sheets 16L, 16R including the elastic members 18L, 18R overlap the skin side of the free portions 22L, 22R of the side sheets 16L, 16R

[0057] When the wearer attaches the absorbent pad 1 to the wearer, the stored absorbent pad 1 is taken out from the package or storage body, and the absorbent pad 1 is expanded in both the front and rear directions in the longitudinal direction from the folded state as shown in FIG. 7 or FIG. 9

[0058] When the absorbent pad 1 is expanded in both the front and rear directions in the longitudinal direction from the folded state, as shown in FIG. 12, due to the contraction force of the elastic members 17L, 17R, the free portions 22L, 22R (three-dimensional gathers 15L, 15R) of the side sheets 16L, 16R rise from the top sheet 11. Further, in the crotch region 5 of the absorbent pad 1, due to the contraction force of the elastic members 18L, 18R, the joint portions (leg gathers 14L, 14R) of the back sheet 12 and the side sheets 16L, 16R rise

[0059] Following the absorbent pad 1 (absorbent article), the packaging will be described. In the present embodiment, the packaging consists of the folded absorbent pad 1 as shown in FIG. 7 or FIG. 9 and a package that houses the folded absorbent pad 1. FIG. 13 is an external perspective view of the package containing the absorbent pad 1. Further, FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the state when the absorbent pad 1 is taken out of the package. FIG. 14 shows the state when the absorbent pad 1 folded as shown in FIG. 7 is taken out.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 13, the package 100 is a bag formed by processing a film, and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped appearance in a state where the absorbent pad 1 as the contents is filled in the main body 101. Further, a string-like grip portion 102 for the consumer to easily carry the package 100 is provided on the upper part of the main body 101 of the package 100. In FIG. 13, the front surface of the package 100 is on the front side of the paper surface, the right surface of the package 100 is on the right side of the paper surface, the left surface of the package 100 is on the left side of the paper surface, the top surface of the package 100 is on the upper side of the paper surface, and the bottom surface of the package 100 is on the lower side of the paper surface. And in FIG. 13, the state of viewing the package 100 from slightly above the upper right side of the front surface is shown. Therefore, in FIG. 13, three surfaces, i.e., the front surface, the right surface, and the top surface of the package 100 are shown, and the three surfaces, i.e., the rear surface, the left surface, and the bottom surface of the package 100 are not shown. Further, in FIG. 13, since the package 100 in a state where a specified quantity of absorbent pads 1 are filled in the main body 101 is shown, the main body 101 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped appearance. However, when the package of the package 100 is broken and the absorbent pad 1 is taken out from the inside of the main body 101, the package 100 will be in a partially or completely deflated form. Therefore, in the present embodiment, "contained" refers to the package 100 in a state where a specified quantity of absorbent pads 1 are filled in the main body 101 and sealed, and does not include the opened package 100.

[0061] Also, among the six surfaces (front surface, rear surface, left surface, right surface, top surface, bottom surface) of the main body 101 of the package 100, any one surface, for example, on the front surface, there is provided a perforation 103A (an example of the "openable part" as referred to in the present application) extending in the vertical direction. Along this perforation 103A By cutting it open, an opening 103 for taking out the absorbent pad 1 from the inside of the package 100 is formed (see FIG. 14). In other words, the perforation 103A can regulate the position where the opening 103 is formed. Note that the surface of the main body 101 where the perforation 103A is provided is not limited to only one surface. For example, a perforation may be provided so as to extend from a certain surface (for example, the front surface) of the main body 101 to another surface (for example, the top surface) adjacent to the surface. In this case, it can be said that the surface with the longer perforation among the said surface and the other surface is the main surface where the opening is provided.

[0062] In such a package 100, the folded absorbent pad 1 as shown in FIG. 7 or FIG. 9 is stored in a vertically placed state such that the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 substantially coincides with the vertical direction of the main body 101. Also, the absorbent pad 1 is stored such that the fold of the absorbent pad 1 faces the front surface of the main body 101. For example, for the absorbent pad 1 in the folded state shown in FIG. 7, the fold 42B of the absorbent pad 1 is stored so as to face the front surface of the main body 101. Also, for the absorbent pad 1 in the folded state shown in FIG. 9, the fold 42M of the absorbent pad 1 is stored so as to face the front surface of the main body 101. Further, the absorbent pads 1 are arranged side by side in the left - right direction of the main body 101 and are arranged one on top of the other in the vertical direction of the main body 101.

[0063] Then, as shown in FIG. 14, the folded absorbent pad 1 is taken out from the package 100 through the opening 103 on the front surface of the main body 101.

[0064] According to this embodiment, the absorbent pad 1 in the folded state is enclosed in the package 100 such that the fold (e.g., fold 42B) of the absorbent pad 1 in the folded state faces the perforation 103A (opening 103) of the package 100. For this reason, when the wearer takes out the absorbent pad 1 from the package 100, it is almost certain that the wearer can touch the concave portions 31L and 31R of the absorbent pad 1. And by touching the concave portions 31L and 31R, the wearer can recognize the direction of the front end portion 1F of the absorbent pad 1. Thereby, it is possible to determine the proper wearing direction of the absorbent pad 1 for the wearer. As a result, it becomes easy to determine the proper wearing direction of the absorbent pad 1 in a short time.

[0065] Also, by forming the opening 103 by cutting along the perforation 103A, the position of the opening 103 in the package 100 can be regulated. Thereby, when the wearer takes out the absorbent pad 1 from the package 100, it is possible to more surely touch the concave portions 31L and 31R of the absorbent pad 1.

[0066] The direction in which the perforation 103A is provided in the main body portion 101 of the package 100 is not limited to the vertical direction. For example, the perforation may be provided so as to extend in the left - right direction. In this case, the absorbent pad 1 in the folded state is stored in a horizontal state such that the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 substantially coincides with the left - right direction of the main body portion 101. Also in this case, the absorbent pad 1 is stored such that the fold of the absorbent pad 1 faces the surface (e.g., the front surface) where the perforation of the main body portion 101 is provided.

[0067] <Modification Example of the Tactile Information Providing Body> The configuration of the tactile information providing body is not limited to the configuration of the concave portions 31L and 31R shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Hereinafter, the configurations of various tactile information providing bodies will be described.

[0068] Although the recesses 31L and 31R shown in FIG. 3 are composed of one straight portion, the recess may be composed of two or more straight portions. FIG. 15 is a plan view of the absorbent pad 1 according to Modification Example 1 in the extended state, viewed from the non-facing side. FIG. 16 is a plan view of the absorbent pad 1 according to Modification Example 2 in the extended state, viewed from the non-facing side. FIG. 17 is a plan view of the absorbent pad 1 according to Modification Example 3 in the extended state viewed from the non-facing side. FIG. 18 is a plan view of the absorbent pad 1 according to Modification Example 4 in the extended state, viewed from the non-facing side. FIG. 19 is a plan view of the absorbent pad 1 according to Modification Example 5 in the extended state, viewed from the non-facing side.

[0069] For example, as shown in FIG. 15, in the absorbent pad 1 according to Modification Example 1, the recesses 32L and 32R are composed of the first straight portions 32A and 32C and the second straight portions 32B and 32D. The first straight portions 32A and 32C extend in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1. On the other hand, the second straight portions 32B and 32D extend obliquely with respect to the longitudinal direction. Specifically, among the second straight portions 32B and 32D, the portions outside the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 are inclined toward the back region 7 side (back side), and the portions inside the width direction are inclined toward the front region 3 side (abdomen side). Also, one end of the first straight portions 32A and 32C and one end of the second straight portions 32B and 32D both face the front region 3 side and are connected to each other. And the other end of the first straight portions 32A and 32C and the other end of the second straight portions 32B and 32D both face the back region 5 side and are separated from each other. Thereby, the recesses 32L and 32R have a wedge shape facing the front region 3 side.

[0070] In this modification example, since the concave portions 32L and 32R have a wedge shape facing the front body region 3 side, when touching the concave portions 32L and 32R with a finger and moving the finger in the longitudinal direction, the following sensations can be obtained by the concave portions 32L and 32R. For example, when moving the finger from the front end portion 1F side toward the rear end portion 1B side, a diverging sensation can be obtained by the concave portions 32L and 32R. On the contrary, when moving the finger from the rear end portion 1B side toward the front end portion 1F side, a converging sensation can be obtained by the concave portions 32L and 32R. Therefore, a predetermined direction, that is, the direction of the front end portion 1F in the absorbent pad 1 in this modification example can be recognized. Thereby, the person in contact with the concave portions 32L and 32R can know which of the front end portion 1F and the rear end portion 1B in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1 is the end portion on the front body region 3 side, and can determine the appropriate wearing direction of the absorbent pad 1. Thus, the concave portions 32L and 32R function as a tactile information imparting body that imparts tactile information on the wearing direction of the absorbent pad 1, similar to the concave portions 31L and 31R.

[0071] Also, as shown in FIG. 16, in the absorbent pad 1 according to Modification Example 2, the concave portion 33 is composed of a first linear portion 33A and a second linear portion 33B. The first linear portion 33A extends obliquely with respect to the longitudinal direction. The second linear portion 33B extends obliquely with respect to the longitudinal direction in an extending direction different from that of the first linear portion 33A. Also, one end of the first linear portion 33A and one end of the second linear portion 33B both face the front body region 3 side and are connected to each other. And the other end of the first linear portion 33A and the other end of the second linear portion 33B both face the rear body region 5 side and are separated from each other. Thereby, the concave portion 33 has a wedge shape (or a V shape) facing the front body region 3 side.

[0072] In this modified example, since the recess 33 has a wedge shape facing the front body region 3 side, when touching the recess 33 with a finger and moving the finger in the longitudinal direction, the direction of the front end portion 1F of the absorbent pad 1 can be recognized by the recess 33 in the same manner as the recesses 32L and 32R. Thus, the recess 33 also functions as a tactile information imparting body that imparts tactile information on the wearing direction of the absorbent pad 1.

[0073] In addition, in this modified example, although one end of the first linear portion 33A and one end of the second linear portion 33B are connected, these ends may be arranged so as to be close to each other without being connected. As a result, such a recess comes to have a substantially wedge shape facing the front body region 3 side, so that the direction of the front end portion 1F of the absorbent pad 1 can be recognized by such a recess in the same manner as the recess 33.

[0074] Further, as shown in FIG. 17, in the absorbent pad 1 according to the third modified example, the recess 34 is composed of a first linear portion 34A, a second linear portion 34B, and a third linear portion 34C. The first linear portion 34A extends obliquely with respect to the longitudinal direction, and the second linear portion 34B extends obliquely with respect to the longitudinal direction in an extending direction different from that of the first linear portion 34A. Also, one end of the first linear portion 34A and one end of the second linear portion 34B both face the front body region 3 side and are connected to each other. And the other end of the first linear portion 34A and the other end of the second linear portion 34B both face the back body region 5 side and are separated from each other. Thereby, the first and second linear portions 34A and 34B have a wedge shape (or a V shape) facing the front body region 3 side. On the other hand, the third linear portion 34C extends in the longitudinal direction. And one end of the third linear portion 34C is connected at the connection point of the first linear portion 34A and the second linear portion 34B. Thereby, the recess 34 has an arrow shape facing the front body region 3 side. That is, in the arrow-shaped recess 34, it can be said that the first and second linear portions 34A and 34B form the arrowhead portion of the arrow, and the third linear portion 34C forms the shaft portion of the arrow.

[0075] In this modified example, since the arrowhead portion of the recess 34 has a wedge shape facing the front body region 3 side, when touching the recess 34 with a finger and moving the finger in the longitudinal direction, the recess 34 can recognize the direction of the front end portion 1F in the absorbent pad 1 in the same manner as the recess 33. Thus, the recess 34 also functions as a tactile information provider that imparts tactile information about the wearing direction of the absorbent pad 1.

[0076] Further, since the recess 34 has not only an arrowhead portion but also a shaft portion, the arrow shape can be recognized not only by touch but also by vision. Thereby, the direction of the front end portion 1F in the absorbent pad 1 can be recognized even more clearly by the recess 34.

[0077] Also, as shown in FIG. 18, in the absorbent pad 1 according to the fourth modified example, the recess 35, similar to the recess 34 of the third modified example, is composed of a first linear portion 35A, a second linear portion 35B, and a third linear portion 35C, and has an arrow shape. In the arrow-shaped recess 35, it can be said that the first and second linear portions 35A and 35B form the arrowhead portion of the arrow, and the third linear portion 35C forms the shaft portion of the arrow. On the other hand, in the recess 35, unlike the recess 34, the third linear portion 35C is not connected to the connection point between the first linear portion 35A and the second linear portion 35B and is separated from the connection point.

[0078] When the recess has an arrow shape as in this modification example or Modification Example 3, when touching the recess with a finger and moving the finger in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1, the finger can move easily along the shaft portion of the arrow, so that the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1 can be recognized. On the other hand, since the finger can move easily along the shaft portion of the arrow, there is a possibility that the finger passes through the shaft portion before recognizing the arrowhead portion, making it difficult to recognize the arrowhead portion. In contrast, in this modification example, in the recess 35, since the shaft portion (the third linear portion 35C) is separated from the connection point of the arrowhead portion (the first and second linear portions 35A, 35B), when touching the recess 35 with a finger and moving the finger in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1, even if the finger can move easily along the shaft portion of the arrow, the end point of the shaft portion can be recognized, and the arrowhead portion on the extension line of the end point can be clearly recognized. Thereby, the direction of the front end portion 1F in the absorbent pad 1 can be recognized more reliably by the recess 35.

[0079] Also, as shown in FIG. 19, in the absorbent pad 1 according to Modification Example 5, the recess 36 has an arrow shape, similar to the recess 35 of Modification Example 4, and the shaft portion of the arrow (the third linear portion 36C) is separated from the connection point of the arrowhead portion (the first and second linear portions 36A, 36B). On the other hand, in the recess 36, different from the recess 35, the shaft portion is not a solid line but a broken line with a break. In the recess 36, the arrowhead portion is a solid line as in the recess 35. In this modification example, in the recess 36, since the arrowhead portion is a solid line and the shaft portion is a broken line, the difference between the arrowhead portion and the shaft portion can be recognized by touch. Therefore, the arrowhead portion can be clearly recognized. Thereby, the direction of the front end portion 1F in the absorbent pad 1 can be recognized more reliably by the recess 36.

[0080] In this modification example, in the recess 36, since the arrowhead portion is a solid line and the shaft portion is a broken line, the difference between the arrowhead portion and the shaft portion can be recognized by touch. For this reason, the arrowhead portion can be clearly recognized. Thereby, the direction of the front end portion 1F in the absorbent pad 1 can be recognized more reliably by the recess 36.

[0081] In the above-described Modifications 1 to 5, a plurality of concave portions 32 to 36 are arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction over the entire length of the backsheet 12. In particular, when the absorbent pad 1 is in the folded state as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the concave portions 32 to 38 are arranged at the outermost positions on the non-skin surface side of the absorbent pad 1 (for example, the front end portion 1F, the rear end portion 1B, and the fold lines 42F, 42B, 42M that are the outermost in the longitudinal direction).

[0082] Therefore, when the wearer takes out the absorbent pad 1 from the package 100 or the storage body, it is almost certain that the wearer can touch the concave portions 32 to 36. And by touching the concave portions 32 to 36, the wearer can recognize the direction of the front end portion 1F of the absorbent pad 1. Thereby, the wearer can determine the proper wearing direction of the absorbent pad 1. As a result, it becomes easy to determine the proper wearing direction of the absorbent pad 1 in a short time.

[0083] Next, the backsheet 12 shown in FIG. 3 has a tactile information-providing body by forming the concave portions 31L and 31R by embossing, but the backsheet itself may have a tactile information-providing body.

[0084] FIG. 20 is a plan view of the absorbent pad 1 according to Modification 6 in the extended state as viewed from the non-skin surface side. As shown in FIG. 20, in the absorbent pad 1 according to Modification 6, orientation portions 51L and 51R are formed on the surface of the non-skin surface side of the backsheet 12 by performing orientation treatment such as coating with a drug or light irradiation. The orientation portions 51L and 51R are inclined obliquely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1 in plan view. Specifically, among the orientation portions 51L and 51R, the portion inside the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 is inclined toward the back region 7 side (back side), and the portion outside the width direction is inclined toward the front region 3 side (abdomen side).

[0085] When touching such orientation portions 51L and 51R with a finger and moving the finger in the longitudinal direction, the following sensations can be obtained by the orientation portions 51L and 51R. For example, when moving the finger from the front end portion 1F side toward the rear end portion 1B side, the finger becomes more slippery due to the orientation portions 51L and 51R, and a feeling of diverging outward in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 along the orientation portions 51L and 51R can be obtained. On the contrary, when moving the finger from the rear end portion 1B side toward the front end portion 1F side, a feeling of converging inward in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 along the orientation portions 51L and 51R can be obtained, so that the direction of the front end portion 1F of the absorbent pad 1 in a predetermined direction, in this modified example, can be recognized. Thus, the orientation portions 51L and 51R also function as a tactile information imparting body that imparts tactile information on the wearing direction of the absorbent pad 1, similar to the concave portions 31L and 31R described above.

[0086] In this modified example, a plurality of orientation portions 51L and 51R are arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction over the entire length of the back sheet 12. In particular, when the absorbent pad 1 is in a folded state as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the orientation portions 51L and 51R are arranged at the outermost positions on the non-skin surface side of the absorbent pad 1 (for example, the front end portion 1F, the rear end portion 1B, and the fold lines 42F, 42B, and 42M that are the outermost in the longitudinal direction).

[0087] Therefore, when the wearer takes out the absorbent pad 1 from the package 100 or the storage body, it is almost certain that the orientation portions 51L and 51R can be touched. And the wearer can recognize the direction of the front end portion 1F of the absorbent pad 1 by touching the orientation portions 51L and 51R. Thereby, the appropriate wearing direction of the absorbent pad 1 for the wearer can be discriminated. As a result, it becomes easy to discriminate the appropriate wearing direction of the absorbent pad 1 in a short time.

[0088] Next, although the tactile information imparting bodies (concave portions 31L and 31R) shown in FIG. 3 are formed by embossing, the tactile information imparting bodies may be formed by a method other than embossing. In the following Modification Examples 7 to 9, cases where the tactile information imparting bodies are formed by a method other than embossing will be described.

[0089] FIG. 21 is a plan view of the absorbent pad 1 according to Modification Example 7 in an extended state as viewed from the non-skin side. In the absorbent pad 1 according to Modification Example 7, the backsheet has a multilayer structure having an outer backsheet 12A and an inner backsheet 12B (see FIG. 22). The outer backsheet 12A is a liquid-impermeable sheet that becomes the non-skin surface (outer surface) opposite to the skin surface, and the inner backsheet 12B is a liquid-impermeable sheet disposed between the outer backsheet 12A and the absorber 13. Both the outer backsheet 12A and the inner backsheet 12B have substantially the same ladle shape as the absorbent pad 1 in plan view. Note that the outer backsheet 12A and the inner backsheet 12B may have a shape other than the ladle shape in plan view, for example, a rectangular shape.

[0090] Further, the outer backsheet 12A and the inner backsheet 12B are adhered by a hot melt adhesive. In this adhesion, by applying the adhesive at intervals, the outer backsheet 12A and the inner backsheet 12B are adhered at a plurality of locations with intervals along the longitudinal direction over the entire length of the backsheets 12A and 12B, and at each individual location, they are adhered while being inclined obliquely with respect to the longitudinal direction. As shown in FIG. 21, convex portions (adhesive portions) 52L and 52R are formed on the backsheets 12A and 12B by the adhesive. As a result, a plurality of convex portions 52L and 52R are arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction over the entire length of the backsheets 12A and 12B, and each individual convex portion 52L and 52R extends obliquely with respect to the longitudinal direction. For example, a part of the plurality of convex portions 52L and 52R is formed in the portions V2L and V2R surrounded by the dotted line in FIG. 21.

[0091] FIG. 22(A) is a plan view of a part of a plurality of convex portions (adhesive portions) 52L and 52R formed at a portion where the outer backsheet 12A and the inner backsheet 12B are adhered, as viewed from the non-skin side, and FIG. 22(B) is a cross-sectional view when a part of the plurality of convex portions 52L and 52R shown in FIG. 22(A) is cut along lines GL-GL and GR-GR.

[0092] Due to the above-described adhesion, for example, in portions V2L and V2R of the absorbent pad 1, as shown in FIG. 22(B), portions where the adhesive is applied among the portions where the outer backsheet 12A and the inner backsheet 12B overlap bulge on both sides in the direction in which the backsheets 12A and 12B overlap, and convex portions 52L and 52R are formed in the overlapping portion of the backsheets 12A and 12B. As shown in FIG. 22(A), the convex portions 52L and 52R have a substantially parallelogram shape that is inclined obliquely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1 in plan view. Specifically, among the convex portions 52L and 52R, the portions outside the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 are inclined toward the back region 7 side (back side), and the portions inside the width direction are inclined toward the front region 3 side (abdomen side).

[0093] When touching such convex portions 52L and 52R with a finger and moving the finger in the longitudinal direction, the following sensations can be obtained by the convex portions 52L and 52R. For example, when moving the finger from the front end portion 1F side toward the rear end portion 1B side, the finger hits the convex portions 52L and 52R and receives resistance from the convex portions 5 2L and 52R, so that a feeling of diverging outward in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 along the convex portions 52L and 52R is obtained. On the other hand, when moving the finger from the rear end portion 1B side toward the front end portion 1F side, a feeling of converging inward in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 along the convex portions 52L and 52R is obtained, so that the direction of the front end portion 1F in the absorbent pad 1 in a predetermined direction, in this modified example, can be recognized. Thus, the convex portions 52L and 52R also function as a tactile information imparting body that imparts tactile information on the wearing direction of the absorbent pad 1, similarly to the concave portions 31L and 31R described above.

[0094] FIG. 23 is a plan view of the absorbent pad 1 according to Modification Example 8 in an extended state as viewed from the non-skin side. As shown in FIG. 23, in the absorbent pad 1 according to Modification Example 8, stretchable members 19L and 19R are provided on the back sheet (inner back sheet 12B). The stretchable members 19L and 19R extend in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1 over the entire length of the inner back sheet 12B. Further, the stretchable members 19L and 19R are welded to the inner back sheet 12B in an extended state by ultrasonic welding. In this welding, the stretchable members 19L and 19R are welded at a plurality of locations with intervals along the longitudinal direction over the entire length of the stretchable members 19L and 19R, and at each individual location, they are welded obliquely with respect to the longitudinal direction, so that groove portions (welded portions) are formed in the stretchable members 19L and 19R. As a result, a plurality of groove portions are arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction over the entire length of the inner back sheet 12B, and each individual groove portion extends obliquely with respect to the longitudinal direction. For example, a part of the plurality of groove portions is formed in portions V3L and V3R surrounded by a dotted line in FIG. 23.

[0095] FIG. 24(A) is a plan view of a part of the plurality of groove portions (welded portions) formed in the stretchable members 19L and 19R as viewed from the non-skin side, and FIG. 24(B) is a cross-sectional view when a part of the plurality of groove portions shown in FIG. 24(A) is cut along lines HL-HL and HR-HR.

[0096] Due to the above-described welding, for example, in portions V3L and V3R of the absorbent pad 1, as shown in FIG. 24(B), the welded portions of the stretchable members 19L and 19R are recessed toward the inner back sheet 12B side, and groove portions 53L and 53R are formed in the stretchable members 19L and 19R. As shown in FIG. 24(A), the groove portions 53L and 53R are inclined obliquely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1 in plan view. Specifically, among the groove portions 51L and 51R, the outer portion in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 inclines toward the back body region 7 side (back side), and the inner portion in the width direction inclines toward the front body region 3 side (abdomen side).

[0097] Since such groove portions 53L and 53R can also be said to be the same concave portions as the concave portions 31L and 31R described above, they function as a tactile information imparting body that imparts tactile information in the wearing direction of the absorbent pad 1.

[0098] And FIG. 25 is a plan view of the absorbent pad 1 according to Modification Example 9 in an extended state as viewed from the non-skin side. As shown in FIG. 25, in the absorbent pad 1 according to Modification Example 9, two stretchable members 20L and 20R are provided on the back sheet (outer back sheet 12A, inner back sheet 12B). The stretchable members 20L and 20R extend in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1 over the entire length of the back sheets 12A and 12B. Note that three or more stretchable members 20L and 20R may be provided respectively. Further, the stretchable members 20L and 20R are adhered to the inner back sheet 12B in an extended state by a hot melt adhesive, and further adhered to the outer back sheet 12A from the non-skin side by a hot melt adhesive (see FIG. 26). As a result, wrinkles are formed at intervals along the longitudinal direction over the entire length of the back sheets 12A and 12B due to the contraction of the stretchable member 20L between a pair of the stretchable members 20L in the adhesion portion between the outer back sheet 12A and the inner back sheet 12B. Here, by making the contraction forces of the respective stretchable members 20L different from each other, the individual wrinkles formed between the pair of stretchable members 20L extend obliquely with respect to the longitudinal direction. Similarly, between a pair of the stretchable members 20R in the adhesion portion, wrinkles are formed at intervals along the longitudinal direction over the entire length of the back sheets 12A and 12B due to the contraction of the stretchable member 20R. And by making the contraction forces of the respective stretchable members 20R different from each other, the individual wrinkles formed between the pair of stretchable members 20R extend obliquely with respect to the longitudinal direction. For example, a part of a plurality of wrinkles is formed in portions V4L and V4R surrounded by a dotted line in FIG. 25.

[0099] FIG. 26(A) is a plan view of a part of a plurality of wrinkles formed between a pair of stretchable members 20L and 20R, as viewed from the skin surface side, and FIG. 26(B) is a cross-sectional view of a part of the plurality of wrinkles shown in FIG. 26(A) when cut along the IL-IL line and the IR-IR line.

[0100] Due to the adhesion described above, for example, in the portions V4L and V4R of the absorbent pad 1, as shown in FIG. 26(B), wrinkles 54L and 54R are formed in the portion between a pair of stretchable members 20L and 20R among the adhesion portions of the outer backsheet 12A and the inner backsheet 12B. As shown in FIG. 26(A), the wrinkles 54L and 54R are inclined obliquely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1 in plan view. Specifically, among the wrinkles 54L and 54R, the portion inside the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 is inclined toward the back region 7 side (back side), and the portion outside the width direction is inclined toward the front region 3 side (abdomen side).

[0101] When touching such wrinkles 54L and 54R with a finger and moving the finger in the longitudinal direction, the following sensations can be obtained due to the wrinkles 54L and 54R. For example, when moving the finger from the front end portion 1F side toward the rear end portion 1B side, a feeling of diverging outward in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 along the wrinkles 54L and 54R can be obtained. On the contrary, when moving the finger from the rear end portion 1B side toward the front end portion 1F side, a feeling of converging inward in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 along the wrinkles 54L and 54R can be obtained, so that a predetermined direction, which is the direction of the front end portion 1F in the absorbent pad 1 in this modified example, can be recognized. Thus, the wrinkles 54L and 54R also function as a tactile information imparting body that imparts tactile information on the wearing direction of the absorbent pad 1, similarly to the concave portions 31L and 31R described above.

[0102] In the above-described Modifications 7 to 9, a plurality of tactile information-providing bodies (the convex portions 52L and 52R, the groove portions 53L and 53R, the wrinkles 54L and 54R) are arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction over the entire length of the back sheet 12. In particular, when the absorbent pad 1 is in the folded state as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the tactile information-providing bodies are arranged at the outermost positions on the non-skin surface side of the absorbent pad 1 (for example, the front end portion 1F, the rear end portion 1B, and the fold lines 42F, 42B, and 42M that are the outermost in the longitudinal direction).

[0103] Therefore, when the wearer takes out the absorbent pad 1 from the packaging body or the storage body, it is almost certain that the wearer can touch the tactile information-providing body. And the wearer can recognize the direction of the front end portion 1F of the absorbent pad 1 by touching the tactile information-providing body. Thereby, the wearer can determine the proper wearing direction of the absorbent pad 1. As a result, it becomes easy to determine the proper wearing direction of the absorbent pad 1 in a short time.

[0104] Next, although the concave portions 31L and 31R (tactile information-providing bodies) shown in FIG. 3 are formed in the back sheet 12, concave portions (tactile information-providing bodies) may be formed in the absorbent body 13.

[0105] FIG. 27 is a plan view of the absorbent pad 1 according to Modification 10 in an extended state as viewed from the non-skin surface side. As shown in FIG. 27, in the absorbent pad 1 of Modification 10, concave portions or convex portions, for example, concave portions 38L and 38R that are recessed on the skin surface side, are formed on the surface of the non-skin surface side of the absorbent body 13 by heating and pressing in embossing. The concave portions 38L and 38R are inclined obliquely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1 in plan view. Specifically, among the concave portions 38L and 38R, the inner portion in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 is inclined toward the back region 7 side (the back side), and the outer portion in the width direction is inclined toward the front region 3 side (the abdominal side). Among them, the inner portion in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 inclines toward the back region 7 side (the back side), and the outer portion in the width direction inclines toward the front region 3 side (the abdominal side).

[0106] Since such concave portions 38L and 38R are also the same as the above-described concave portions 31L and 31R, they function as tactile information-providing bodies that provide tactile information on the wearing direction of the absorbent pad 1.

[0107] In this modification example, a plurality of concave portions 38L and 38R are arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction over the entire length of the absorber 13. In particular, when the absorbent pad 1 is in the folded state as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the concave portions 38L and 38R are arranged at the outermost positions on the non-skin surface side of the absorbent pad 1 (for example, the creases 42F, 42B, and 42M that are the outermost in the longitudinal direction).

[0108] Therefore, when the wearer takes out the absorbent pad 1 from the package 100 or the storage body, the concave portions 38L and 38R can be touched with a relatively high probability. And by touching the concave portions 38L and 38R, the wearer can recognize the direction of the front end portion 1F in the absorbent pad 1. Thereby, the wearer can determine the appropriate wearing direction of the absorbent pad 1. As a result, it becomes easy to determine the appropriate wearing direction of the absorbent pad 1 in a short time.

[0109] <Other Embodiments> Next, other embodiments will be described. In the above-described embodiments and modification examples, the case where the present invention is applied to the absorbent pad has been described, but the application target is not limited to the absorbent pad. For example, the present invention can also be applied to a tape-type disposable diaper.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0110] 1 ··· Absorbent pad 1F ··· Front end portion of the absorbent pad 1B ··· Rear end portion of the absorbent pad 3 ··· Chest region 5 ··· Crotch region 7 ··· Back region 11 ··· Topsheet 12 ··· Backsheet 12A ··· Outer backsheet 12B ··· Inner backsheet 13 ··· Absorber 14L, 14R ··· Leg gathers 15L, 15R ··· Three-dimensional gathers 16L, 16R ··· Side seat 17L, 17R, 18L, 18R, 19L, 19R, 20L, 20R ··· Elastic member 21L, 21R ··· Fixed part of side seat (joint part of back seat and side seat) 22L, 22R ··· Free part of side seat 31L, 31R, 32L, 32R, 33, 34, 35, 36, 38L, 38R ··· Concave part (visual information provider) 32A, 33A, 34A, 35A, 36A ··· First linear part 32B, 33B, 34B, 35B, 36B ··· Second linear part 34C, 35C, 36C ··· Third linear part 41L, 41R, 42F, 42B, 42M ··· Fold line 51L, 51R ··· Orientation part (visual information provider) 52L, 52R ··· Convex part (visual information provider) 53L, 53R ··· Groove part (visual information provider) 54L, 54R ··· Wrinkle (visual information provider) 100 ··· Package 101 ··· Main body part 102 ··· Gripping part 103 ··· Opening 103A ··· Perforation (openable part)

Claims

1. An absorbent article to be worn on the wearer's thigh, comprising: an absorber disposed along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article; a plurality of sheets laminated with the absorber interposed therebetween; a tactile information provider that extends obliquely with respect to the longitudinal direction, is arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction, and imparts tactile information in the wearing direction of the absorbent article; and when the absorbent article is folded into at least two parts by a crease extending in the width direction of the absorbent article, the tactile information provider is provided at the outermost position on the non-skin side of the absorbent article. Absorbent article.

2. On the non-skin side of the absorbent article, recesses or protrusions are formed by embossing, The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the tactile information provider is the recess or the protrusion.

3. Some of the plurality of sheets are adhered to each other, The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the tactile information provider is the adhesion portion between the some of the sheets.

4. An elastic member is ultrasonically welded to some of the plurality of sheets in an extended state, The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the tactile information provider is the welding portion between the some of the sheets and the elastic member.

5. At least a pair of elastic members are adhered to some of the plurality of sheets in an extended state, and wrinkles are formed between the pair of elastic members due to contraction of the pair of elastic members. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the tactile information provider is the wrinkles.

6. The tactile information provider is composed of at least a first linear portion and a second linear portion, At least one of the first linear portion and the second linear portion extends obliquely with respect to the longitudinal direction, One end of the first linear portion and one end of the second linear portion are connected to each other facing the part corresponding to the abdomen, and the other end of the first linear portion and the other end of the second linear portion are separated from each other facing the part corresponding to the back. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The tactile information provider is in an arrow shape composed of the first linear portion, the second linear portion, and a third linear portion. The first linear portion and the second linear portion form an arrowhead portion of the arrow, and the third linear portion forms a shaft portion of the arrow. The absorbent article according to claim 6.

8. The absorbent article according to claim 7, wherein the third linear portion is away from the connection point between the first linear portion and the second linear portion.

9. The absorbent article according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the first linear portion and the second linear portion are solid lines, and the third linear portion is a broken line.

10. The tactile information imparting body is provided at the outermost portion on the non-skin side of the absorbent article when the absorbent article is folded into at least two parts by the fold line. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The absorbent article according to claim 10, wherein the outermost portion is a portion in the range from the position of the fold line to a position having a length of at least 100 mm in the longitudinal direction.

12. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 11, a packaging body containing the absorbent article, comprising: The packaging body forms a substantially rectangular parallelepiped when the absorbent article is filled, and an openable portion is provided on at least one surface of the substantially rectangular parallelepiped. The absorbent article is stored in the packaging body in a state of being folded into at least two parts by a fold line extending in the width direction of the absorbent article, and the fold line of the absorbent article faces the openable portion of the packaging body. Packaging.

13. The packaging article according to claim 12, wherein the openable portion is a perforation provided in the packaging body, and an opening is formed by cutting along the perforation.

Images