Absorbent article and manufacturing method for absorbent article

Abstract

To provide an absorbent article suppressing leakage of discharged liquid a wearer has discharged.SOLUTION: An absorbent article includes: a length along a longitudinal direction corresponding to a back and forth direction of a wearer; a length along a width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction; an absorber arranged at least in a region corresponding to the crotch of the wearer and absorbing liquid; a water permeable sheet arranged on the skin surface side of the wearer of the absorber; a pair of leakage prevention wall forming sheets which is arranged on the skin surface side of the water permeable sheet and on both sides in the width direction, in which the inside in the width direction is folded to the skin side along a folding line extending in the longitudinal direction, and which forms a leakage prevention wall preventing liquid leakage; an elastic member adhered to the leakage prevention wall forming sheets so as to extend in the longitudinal direction in a stretched state on a front side in the longitudinal direction; a laminate where a plurality of sheets is laminated and located outside in the width direction of the folding line; and a bending line bending the front side end part of the laminate inward in the longitudinal direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an absorbent article and a method for manufacturing the absorbent article.

Background Art

[0002] Disposable diapers, absorbent pads, absorbent articles such as sanitary products have been developed (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An absorbent article absorbs and holds the discharged liquid discharged by the wearer by an absorbent body. However, the discharged liquid flowing near the end of the absorbent article may leak to the outside in the width direction of the absorbent article.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article that suppresses leakage of the discharged liquid discharged by the wearer.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An absorbent article according to one aspect of the present invention is a length along the longitudinal direction corresponding to the front-back direction of the wearer, a length along the width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, an absorbent body that is at least disposed in a region corresponding to the crotch of the wearer and absorbs liquid, a water-permeable sheet disposed on the skin side of the wearer of the absorbent body, A pair of leak - proof wall forming sheets which are arranged on the skin - side of the water - permeable sheet and on both sides in the width direction, and the inner side in the width direction is folded back to the skin - side along a folding line extending in the longitudinal direction to form a leak - proof wall for preventing leakage of liquid. An elastic member adhered to the leak - proof wall forming sheet so as to extend in the longitudinal direction in an extended state on the front side in the longitudinal direction. A laminate in which a plurality of sheets located outside the width direction from the folding line are laminated. A folding line for folding the front end portion of the laminate inward in the longitudinal direction.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress leakage of the discharged liquid discharged by the wearer.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. The embodiments shown below are one aspect of the present invention and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0010] <Embodiment> In the present embodiment, for a disposable absorbent pad (an example of the "absorbent article" referred to in the present application), the direction connecting the front body portion disposed facing the wearer's abdomen and the back body portion disposed facing 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) (at the center in the longitudinal direction), a crotch portion disposed (opposite to the crotch) under the wearer's crotch is connected and positioned. Further, in a state where the absorbent pad is worn by the wearer (hereinafter abbreviated as the "worn state"), the side facing the wearer's skin (the inner side in the worn state) is defined as the skin side, and the opposite side of the skin side (the outer side in the worn state) is defined as the non-skin side. Furthermore, the direction connecting the skin side and the non-skin 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. The absorbent pad has a length along the longitudinal direction and a length along the width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. Also, the terms related to the directions used in the present application shall mean the directions that coincide with the front, rear, left, and right of the wearer in a state where the absorbent pad is worn by the wearer. For example, when referring to the left-right direction in the present application, it means the direction that coincides with the left and right of the wearer in a state where the absorbent pad is worn by the wearer.

[0011] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the absorbent pad 1 according to the embodiment. The absorbent pad 1 is used to absorb and hold liquids such as urine, and can be used alone by being disposed on the skin side of the undergarment, or can also be used by being stacked inside a disposable diaper. The absorbent pad 1 has a crotch region 1B corresponding to the crotch that covers the wearer's genital area in the worn state, a front body region 1F located in front of the crotch region 1B and corresponding to the front body portion of the wearer, and a back body region 1R located behind the crotch region 1B and corresponding to the back body portion of the wearer.

[0012] In the absorbent pad 1, an absorbent body 6 capable of absorbing and retaining liquid is mainly disposed around the crotch region 1B. In addition, in order to prevent the formation of gaps between the absorbent pad 1 and the wearer's skin that can serve as a liquid outflow path, the absorbent pad 1 is provided with leakage prevention walls 3L, 3R around the wearer's crotch region 1B. The leakage prevention walls 3L, 3R are in close contact with the wearer's skin by the elastic force of the elastic member. Therefore, the liquid discharged from the wearer is absorbed by the absorbent body 6 without leaking out of the diaper 1. Note that the elastic member may be a thread-like or strip-like rubber or the like.

[0013] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the absorbent pad 1 according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 and FIG. 5 are plan views of the absorbent pad 1 according to the embodiment when viewed from the skin side in a stretched state. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent pad 1 according to the embodiment cut along the line AA in FIG. 3. In the cross-sectional views shown below, each structure is illustrated thicker than it actually is in order to make the internal structure of the absorbent pad 1 easier to understand, but in reality, the absorbent pad 1 is very thin. As shown in FIG. 3, the absorbent pad 1 has a shuttlecock shape in which the back body region 1R side is wider than the crotch region 1B and the front body region 1F. Due to this planar shape, the absorbent pad 1 easily fits the wearer's abdomen and buttocks when worn. In addition, both ends of the width direction outer side of the longitudinal outer end of the absorbent pad 1 in the back body region 1R have a curved chamfered shape. The planar shape of the absorbent pad 1 is not limited to a shuttlecock shape, and may be, for example, a substantially rectangular or gourd shape. Furthermore, both widthwise outer ends of the longitudinal outer ends of the absorbent pad 1 in the rear body region 1R may have a curved chamfered shape.

[0014] The absorbent pad 1 includes a topsheet 8 (an example of the "water-permeable sheet" in the present application) disposed on the skin side in the worn state. The topsheet 8 is the portion that contacts the wearer's skin in the worn state of the absorbent pad 1 and is formed of a liquid-permeable material that allows liquids such as urine to pass through. For the topsheet 8, woven fabrics, non-woven fabrics, porous films, etc. are used. Note that for the non-woven fabric, those obtained by hydrophilizing fibers of thermoplastic resins such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, polyethylene terephthalate, and nylon may be used, or air-through non-woven fabrics, point-bonded non-woven fabrics, spunbond non-woven fabrics, meltblown non-woven fabrics, etc. may be used.

[0015] And the absorbent pad 1 includes an absorber 6, a backsheet 5, and a cover sheet 4 that are sequentially laminated on the non-skin side of the topsheet 8.

[0016] The absorber 6 is disposed on the non-skin side of the topsheet 8 including the crotch region 1B in order to absorb the liquid discharged by the wearer, and absorbs and holds liquids such as urine. On the skin side of the absorber 6, hot melt adhesive HM is applied in a plurality of rows of stripes at intervals in the width direction, and the absorber 6 and the topsheet 8 are adhered by this hot melt adhesive HM. In the present embodiment, the absorber 6 has an absorption core 6C containing an absorbent material and a core wrap sheet 7 that wraps the entire absorption core 6C. Note that the longitudinal direction of the absorber 6 coincides with the longitudinal directions of the absorption core 6C and the core wrap sheet 7 and the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1.

[0017] The absorption core 6C has a structure in which granular absorbent resins (high molecular water-absorbing materials) such as SAP (Super Absorbent Polymer), which is a hydrophilic polymer having a crosslinked structure capable of absorbing and holding water, are held in the gaps between short fibers of cellulosic fibers such as pulp fibers, rayon fibers, or cotton fibers, and short fibers obtained by hydrophilizing synthetic fibers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, nylon, or polyethylene terephthalate.

[0018] The SAP particles in this embodiment refer to those obtained by granulating a resin composition containing SAP. The "resin composition containing SAP" mentioned here is a concept that includes both a composition consisting only of SAP and a composition having SAP as the main component and containing other substances to such an extent that it does not adversely affect water absorption. Examples of the "other substances" include additives such as surface modifiers added for the purpose of hydrophobizing the particle surface, and unreacted monomers remaining during the synthesis of SAP. The SAP particles can absorb a liquid about 10 to 100 times their own weight. As the SAP particles, for example, granular ones having a diameter of about 0.1 to 0.5 mm in the state before liquid absorption may be used.

[0019] While the SAP particles can gel and retain the liquid, it takes a certain amount of time for them to absorb the liquid. Until the SAP particles absorb the liquid, the absorbent pad 1 suppresses the backflow of the liquid by allowing the short fibers to diffuse the discharged liquid inside the absorbent core 6C while decelerating it and causing the discharged liquid to be absorbed by a wide range of SAP particles.

[0020] The absorbent core 6C has an upper absorbent mat 6A disposed on the top sheet 8 side and a lower absorbent mat 6B disposed on the non-skin side. The absorbent core 6C has a structure in which two layers of mats, namely the upper absorbent mat 6A and the lower absorbent mat 6B, are laminated. The upper absorbent mat 6A and the lower absorbent mat 6B are formed by the above-mentioned short fibers.

[0021] When the absorbent pad 1 is viewed in plan, the upper absorbent mat 6A has a rectangular shape (rectangular shape) with the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1 as the long side.

[0022] The lower absorption mat 6B is disposed below (the non-skin side) the upper absorption mat 6A when viewed from the top sheet 8 side. When the absorbent pad 1 is viewed in plan, the lower absorption mat 6B has a wing shape that is wider on the back body region 1R side than the thigh region 1B and the front body region 1F. Further, both outer ends in the width direction of the outer end in the longitudinal direction of the lower absorption mat 6B in the back body region 1R have a shape chamfered linearly. The upper absorption mat 6A and the lower absorption mat 6B are laminated in the thickness direction so that the centers in the width direction thereof substantially coincide. Further, when the absorbent pad 1 is viewed in plan, the lower absorption mat 6B is formed larger than the upper absorption mat 6A. Note that the longitudinal direction of the absorber 6 coincides with the longitudinal direction of the upper absorption mat 6A and the lower absorption mat 6B and the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1. Further, both outer ends in the width direction of the outer end in the longitudinal direction of the lower absorption mat 6B in the back body region 1R may have a shape chamfered in a curved shape.

[0023] The upper absorption mat 6A and the lower absorption mat 6B are not limited to the above shapes. For example, the upper absorption mat 6A may have a wing shape that is wider on the back body region 1R side than the thigh region 1B and the front body region 1F, and the lower absorption mat 6B may have a rectangular shape (oblong shape) in which the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1 is the long side. Further, the absorbent core 6C may be constituted by a single layer of mat.

[0024] Further, the absorbent core 6C may be provided with a groove portion extending in the longitudinal direction to quickly diffuse the discharged liquid throughout the absorbent core. The groove portion may be formed to penetrate the upper absorption mat 6A in the thickness direction, may be formed to penetrate the upper absorption mat 6A and the lower absorption mat 6B in the thickness direction, or the absorbent material such as short fibers forming the absorbent core 6C may be less in the portion other than the groove portion, whereby the skin side may be formed in a concave shape, or may be formed by squeezing the absorbent material forming the skin side of the absorbent core 6C in the thickness direction.

[0025] The absorber 6 according to this embodiment has a core wrap sheet 7. The core wrap sheet 7 is a water-permeable sheet that wraps the entire absorber core 6C. More specifically, it covers the skin side, non-skin side, and side surfaces of the absorber core 6C. By wrapping the absorber core 6C, the core wrap sheet 7 protects the shape of the absorber core 6C and prevents it from collapsing, and also prevents the deviation of the SAP particles contained in the absorber core 6C. In addition, SAP particles in a state where they have not absorbed moisture are hard and granular like sand. If SAP particles that have not absorbed the deviated moisture come into direct contact with the wearer's skin surface, it may cause discomfort to the wearer. Therefore, the absorber core 6C is wrapped with the core wrap sheet 7 to prevent the collapse of the absorber core 6C and prevent the SAP particles from deviating outside the absorber 6.

[0026] In this embodiment, the core wrap sheet 7 is composed of two sheets: an upper core wrap sheet 7A disposed between the upper absorption mat 6A and the top sheet 8, and a lower core wrap sheet 7B disposed on the non-skin side of the lower absorption mat 6B, covering the side surfaces of the absorber core 6C, and further covering the outer side in the width direction of the upper core wrap sheet 7A. For the core wrap sheet 7, a pulp fiber sheet, a thin non-woven fabric, etc. are used. In this embodiment, tissue paper is used for the core wrap sheet 7. When the core wrap sheet 7 is formed from two sheets, the upper core wrap sheet 7A and the lower core wrap sheet 7B can also be formed from different materials. As an example, the upper core wrap sheet 7A can be a pulp fiber sheet, and the lower core wrap sheet 7B can be a resin non-woven fabric. Note that the core wrap sheet 7 may be formed from one sheet. Also, the absorber 6 may not have the core wrap sheet 7 and may be composed only of the absorber core 6C.

[0027] The absorbent pad 1 includes a back sheet 5 disposed on the non-skin side of the absorber 6. The back sheet 5 is a non-water-permeable sheet having substantially the same planar shape (racket shape) as the absorbent pad 1. The back sheet 5 is made of poly It is a sheet formed of a thermoplastic non-water-permeable resin such as a polyethylene film. The backsheet 5 has water repellency to prevent urine and moisture from seeping outside the absorbent pad 1 and breathability to suppress stuffiness in the worn state. The backsheet 5 has breathability by forming a large number of minute ventilation holes.

[0028] The absorbent pad 1 includes a cover sheet 4 disposed on the non-skin side of the backsheet 5. The cover sheet 4 forms the exterior surface of the absorbent pad 1 and has rigidity capable of withstanding friction with diapers, underwear, etc. used in combination. In the buttocks region 1R, the length in the width direction of the cover sheet 4 is formed longer than the length in the width direction of the backsheet 5, covering the entire surface of the backsheet 5 from the non-skin side. The cover sheet 4 prevents the backsheet 5 from being damaged. Generally, a non-woven fabric made of synthetic fibers such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, nylon polyethylene terephthalate, etc. is used for the cover sheet 4. The cover sheet 4 has liquid impermeability and moisture permeability.

[0029] Further, the absorbent pad 1 includes a pair of side sheets 9L, 9R (an example of a "leakage prevention wall forming sheet") disposed on the skin side of the top sheet 8 on both sides in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1, extending along the longitudinal direction, and having a water-repellent treatment on the skin side. The side sheets 9L, 9R are arranged such that the longitudinal ends thereof coincide with the longitudinal ends of the top sheet 8. The side sheets 9L, 9R have fixed regions 9LA, 9RA disposed on the outer side in the width direction. The fixed regions 9LA, 9RA are adhered to the top sheet 8, the backsheet 5, which are members disposed on the non-skin side thereof, by a hot melt adhesive HM.

[0030] The side sheets 9L and 9R are adhered to the top sheet 8 by a hot melt adhesive HM. The inner end portions of the hot melt adhesive HM in the width direction are folded-back lines 3LL and 3LR (an example of the "folded-back line" referred to in the present application), and leak-proof walls 3L and 3R (an example of the "leak-proof wall" referred to in the present application) that can stand up are formed inside the folded-back lines 3LL and 3LR. The inner end portions of the side sheets 9L and 9R in the width direction are free end portions 9LB and 9RB that are the tips of the leak-proof walls 3L and 3R. Near the free end portions 9LB and 9RB, thread rubbers 3BL and 3BR, which are filamentous elastic members, may be provided one by one side by side in the width direction. Note that the number of thread rubbers 3BL and 3BR is not limited to one, and an appropriate number determined according to the elastic force (shrinking force) required in the design of the absorbent pad 1 and the like is provided. The thread rubbers 3BL and 3BR are fixed to the side sheets 9L and 9R by the hot melt adhesive HM in a stretched state in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1. The side sheets 9L and 9R have fixing portions 33L and 33R near the longitudinal ends. The fixing portions 33L and 33R are portions that serve as the starting points in the longitudinal direction when the leak-proof walls 3L and 3R stand up by fixing the side sheets 9L and 9R to the top sheet 8. The outer sides in the width direction of the side sheets 9L and 9R are also adhered to the top sheet 8, but inside the longitudinal direction of the fixing portions 33L and 33R, the inner side in the width direction is not adhered more than the hot melt adhesive HM, and it can stand up on the skin side. When the leak-proof walls 3L and 3R inside the folded-back lines 3LL and 3LR stand up on the skin side due to the contraction of the thread rubbers 3BL and 3BR, the free end portions 9LB and 9RB become the tips on the skin side. The standing leak-proof walls 3L and 3R inhibit the movement of liquid and soft feces to the outer side in the width direction of the leak-proof walls 3L and 3R, and suppress such lateral leakage.

[0031] On the non-skin side of the folding lines 3LL and 3LR, thread rubbers 9BL and 9BR, which are filamentous elastic members (an example of the "elastic member" referred to in the present application), are fixed one by one in the width direction by hot melt adhesives HM in an extended state in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1 on the non-skin side of the side sheets 9L and 9R. The thread rubbers 9BL and 9BR are elastic members for forming the leg gathers 3AL and 3AR shown in FIG. 1. By arranging the thread rubbers 9BL and 9BR in an extended state, the absorbent pad 1 can be fitted around the wearer's leg due to the contraction of the thread rubbers 9BL and 9BR. Note that the number of the thread rubbers 9BL and 9BR is not limited to one, and they are provided in an appropriate number determined according to the elastic force (contracting force) required in the design of the absorbent pad 1 and the like. and so on.

[0032] A pair of thread rubbers 9BL and 9BR are provided on the outer side in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 rather than the absorber 6. The absorber 6 has an absorbent core 6C having an upper absorbent mat 6A and a lower absorbent mat 6B, and has high rigidity. Therefore, compared with the region where the absorber 6 with high rigidity extends, the region composed only of the sheet with low rigidity where the thread rubbers 9BL and 9BR are located contracts more easily, and the leg gathers 3AL and 3AR contract more easily.

[0033] Thread rubbers 9BL and 9BR are provided in a stretched state in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1 in the region where the absorber 6 is the narrowest. The region where the absorber 6 is the narrowest extends to the crotch region 1B and the front body region 1F. Since the thread rubbers 9BL and 9BR contract at a position away from the highly rigid absorber 6, it is possible to increase the contraction force of the leg gathers 3AL and 3AR. The thread rubbers 9BL and 9BR are provided in a stretched state in the region where the absorber 6 is the narrowest in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1, so that the leg gathers 3AL and 3AR on the front side in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1 contract. Due to the contraction of the leg gathers 3AL and 3AR on the front side in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1, the front end portion of the absorbent pad 1 stands up, and the absorbent pad 1 assumes a shape along the lower abdomen of the wearer in the worn state. Also, since the thread rubbers 9BL and 9BR are not provided in a stretched state in the wide region of the width of the absorber 6 (for example, the back body region 1R), it is possible to suppress the standing up of the back body region 1R side and facilitate the passage of the wearer's crotch during the wearing operation. Note that the thread rubbers 9BL and 9BR only need to be provided in a stretched state in the region where the absorber 6 is the narrowest in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1, and may be arranged up to the wide region of the width of the absorber 6 in a non-stretched state.

[0034] Also, the thread rubbers 9BL and 9BR are provided outside the absorbent pad 1 in the width direction, beyond the urethral orifice corresponding region U that corresponds to the urethral orifice of the wearer. In Fig. 3, an example of the position corresponding to the urethral orifice of the wearer is indicated by "×", and the region surrounded by a circle around it is defined as the urethral orifice corresponding region U. The urethral orifice corresponding region U is provided in the crotch region 1B and is at the center in the width direction in the region where the length in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 is the narrowest from the back body region 1R to the crotch region 1B. By providing the thread rubbers 9BL and 9BR outside the absorbent pad 1 in the width direction beyond the urethral orifice corresponding region U, the outside of the absorbent pad 1 in the width direction beyond the urethral orifice corresponding region U is contracted in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1 by the thread rubbers 9BL and 9BR. Therefore, the front end portion of the absorbent pad 1 stands up and contacts the lower abdomen of the wearer, and the portion from the front end portion of the absorbent pad 1 to the crotch region 1B moves away from the wearer. In the worn state, since the portion from the front end portion of the absorbent pad 1 to the crotch region 1B moves away from the wearer, a space is formed between the wearer and the front body region 1F in the urethral orifice corresponding region U. The space formed between the wearer and the front body region 1F can hold the discharged liquid such as urine discharged by the wearer, and can suppress the discharged liquid such as urine from leaking over the leak-proof walls 3L and 3R. In particular, when a male wears the absorbent pad 1, the penis is accommodated in the space formed between the wearer's abdomen, and it is also possible to regulate the urination direction, and can suppress the discharged liquid such as urine from leaking over the leak-proof walls 3L and 3R.

[0035] The side sheets 9L and 9R are formed in the same shape as the cover sheet 4 at the end portions in the width direction. Also, the back sheet 5 is shorter than the cover sheet 4 in the width direction and is formed in the same shape as the cover sheet 4. Also, at the center in the width direction at the longitudinal end portion of the absorbent pad 1, the top sheet 8, the cover sheet 4, and the back sheet 5 are formed in the same shape. For this reason, a part of the cover sheet 4, the back sheet 5, the side sheets 9L and 9R, and the top sheet 8 form the outer peripheral shape (outer shape) of the absorbent pad 1. Note that since the back sheet 5 has non-water permeability, the absorbent pad 1 may be configured such that the cover sheet 4 is omitted and the back sheet 5 forms the exterior surface.

[0036] When the absorbent pad 1 is viewed in plan, the fold lines 3LL and 3LR of the leak-proof walls 3L and 3R are The ears 10L, 10R may be provided in the region extending outward in the width direction. The ears 10L, 10R are composed of the side sheets 9L, 9R, the top sheet 8, the back sheet 5, and the cover sheet 4. In this embodiment, the ears 10L, 10R are formed in the rear body region 1R. The lower absorbent mat 6B is disposed to include the outer side of the free ends 9LB, 9RB in the width direction. The absorbent pad 1 can increase the amount of liquid absorbed by forming the lower absorbent mat 6B large while increasing the cushioning properties in the ears 10L, 10R. The ears 10L, 10R may be formed in the front body region 1F.

[0037] The absorbent pad 1 includes side flaps 11L, 11R (an example of the "laminate" in the present application) that extend outward in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 from the fold lines 3LL, 3LR of the leak-proof walls 3L, 3R when the absorbent pad 1 is viewed in plan. The side flaps 11L, 11R are composed of side sheets 9L, 9R, a top sheet 8, a back sheet 5, and a cover sheet 4, which are bonded to each other. In this embodiment, the side flaps 11L, 11R extend from the front body region 1F to the back body region 1R. The longitudinal direction of the side flaps 11L, 11R coincides with the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1. The side flaps 11L, 11R may be formed by laminating at least two sheets and bonding them to each other. For example, the side sheets 9L, 9R and the back sheet 5 may be bonded to each other.

[0038] The absorbent pad 1 includes a folding line 18 (an example of the "folding line" referred to in the present application) that bends the front ends of the side flaps 11L and 11R inward in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1. The folding line 18 extends linearly to the side flaps 11L and 11R in the front body region 1F. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the folding line 18 extends obliquely from the center side in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 toward the outside in the width direction. Note that the folding line 18 only needs to be able to bend the front ends of the side flaps 11L and 11R inward in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1, and may extend linearly in the width direction of the side flaps 11L and 11R.

[0039] The front ends of the side flaps 11L and 11R folded inward in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1 along the folding line 18 are separated from the side flaps 11L and 11R on the central side in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1 and are not adhered. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the absorbent pad 1 from being worn by the wearer with the front ends of the side flaps 11L and 11R folded, and in the worn state, the absorbent pad 1 can be worn such that the front ends of the side flaps 11L and 11R contact the skin of the wearer.

[0040] Since the thread rubbers 9BL and 9BR are provided outside the absorbent pad 1 in the width direction with respect to the absorber 6, the leg gathers 3AL and 3AR are more likely to contract compared to the extending region of the absorber 6 having high rigidity. Therefore, the front ends of the side flaps 11L and 11R are likely to stand up and are likely to contact the lower abdomen of the wearer.

[0041] Normally, in order to suppress the compression of the lower abdomen of the wearer, a gap is likely to be formed near the front end of the absorbent pad corresponding to the abdominal circumference of the wearer. Therefore, there is a risk that urine may leak from the lower abdomen side of the wearer. On the other hand, the absorbent pad 1 according to the present embodiment can suppress the discharge liquid such as urine from leaking from the lower abdomen side of the wearer by the front ends of the side flaps 11L and 11R folded inward along the folding line 18.

[0042] The thread rubbers 9BL and 9BR for contracting the leg gathers 3AL and 3AR are provided in an extended state at least on the front side in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1 so that the leg gathers 3AL and 3AR on the front side in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1 contract. Due to the contraction of the leg gathers 3AL and 3AR on the front side in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1, the front end portion of the absorbent pad 1 stands up, and the absorbent pad 1 takes a shape along the lower abdomen of the wearer. At this time, the front end portions of the side flaps 11L and 11R folded along the folding line 18 are folded inward in the longitudinal direction of the side flaps 11L and 11R, so they contact the lower abdomen of the wearer. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the leakage of excreted fluids such as urine from the lower abdomen side of the wearer. Since they are folded inward in the longitudinal direction of the side flaps 11L and 11R, they contact the lower abdomen of the wearer. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the leakage of excreted fluids such as urine from the lower abdomen side of the wearer.

[0043] Also, the fixing portions 33L and 33R fix the side sheets 9L and 9R to the top sheet 8. Therefore, the leak prevention walls 3L and 3R near the fixing portions 33L and 33R do not rise from the top sheet 8 or are less bulged than the surroundings in the raised state. Thus, in the absorbent pad having the fixing portion, excreted fluids such as urine are likely to leak to the outside in the width direction of the absorbent pad over the leak prevention walls near the fixing portion. On the other hand, the absorbent pad 1 according to the present embodiment can dam up the excreted fluids such as urine that have leaked over the leak prevention walls 3L and 3R by the space formed in the urethral orifice corresponding region U described later.

[0044] Also, the absorbent pad 1 extends in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1 and includes a first folding line 19 (an example of the "first folding line" referred to in the present application) for folding the absorbent pad 1. In the worn state, the outer side in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 is folded inward along the first folding line 19. Therefore, it is possible to dam up the urine that has reached the outside in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 over the leak prevention walls 3L and 3R.

[0045] In addition, a pair of first folding lines 19 are provided on both sides in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1. By providing the first folding lines 19 on both sides in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1, in the worn state, the outer sides in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 are bent toward the wearer side, and the central portion in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 is spaced apart from the wearer's skin as compared with the outer sides in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1. Thus, a space is formed in the urethral orifice corresponding region U. The space formed in the urethral orifice corresponding region U can hold discharge liquids such as urine, and can suppress leakage of discharge liquids such as urine. Further, when a male wears the absorbent pad 1, the penis can be wrapped by the space formed in the urethral orifice corresponding region U, and leakage of discharge liquids such as urine can be suppressed. Further, since the central side in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 is spaced apart from the wearer's skin, the region folded along the first folding line 19 on the outer side in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 is more likely to be contacted by the wearer, and leakage of discharge liquids such as urine can be suppressed. Note that the first folding line 19 may be provided on either the left or right side of the absorbent pad 1. Even if the first folding line 19 is provided only on either the left or right side of the absorbent pad 1, since the central portion in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 rises from the wearer's skin as compared with the outer sides in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1, a space can be formed in the urethral orifice corresponding region U.

[0046] Next, based on FIG. 6, a method for manufacturing the absorbent pad 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart regarding the method for manufacturing the absorbent pad 1 according to the present embodiment. First, by the first folding step, the absorbent pad 1 is folded along the first folding line 19 extending in the longitudinal direction of the continuous body of the absorbent pad 1 so that the skin-side surfaces of the absorbent pad 1 overlap each other (step S101). Next, by the cutting step, the folded continuous body of the absorbent pad 1 is cut along the cutting line extending in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 to obtain individual absorbent pads 1 (step S102). Next, by the bending step, along the second folding line extending forward among the pair of second folding lines extending in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1, the front end portion of the absorbent pad 1 is folded toward the center side in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1, and at the same time, the front end portions of the side flaps 11L and 11R are bent toward the center side of the absorbent pad 1 along the bending line 18 (step S103). Thereafter, by the second folding step, along the second folding line extending rearward among the pair of second folding lines extending in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1, the rear end portion of the absorbent pad 1 is folded toward the center side in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1 (step S104).

[0047] Next, based on FIGS. 7 and 8, the manufacturing process of the absorbent pad 1 according to the present embodiment will be described in more detail. FIGS. 7 and 8 are diagrams showing a part of the manufacturing process of the absorbent pad 1 according to the present embodiment. The state of use of the absorbent pad 1 is the form shown in FIG. 1, but it is folded in the product shipping state and the distribution state. By folding the absorbent pad 1 in the unused state, it is possible to protect the skin-side surface that should maintain a delicate texture because it comes into contact with the wearer's skin, while also handling it in a compressed state with reduced bulk.

[0048] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the folded absorbent pad 1 by the first folding step (step S101). FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the absorbent pad 1 folded by the second folding lines 21F and 21R (an example of the “second folding line” in the present application). FIG. 8(A) is a diagram showing the absorbent pad 1 folded along the second folding line 21F by the folding step (step S102). FIG. 8(B) is a diagram showing the absorbent pad 1 folded by the second folding step (step S103). For the sake of explanation, illustration of some members is omitted.

[0049] The absorbent pad 1 is conveyed in a continuous body in the manufacturing process. By the first folding step (step S101), as shown in FIG. 7, it is formed into a C-fold shape in which it is folded back in a C shape from the non-skin surface side toward the skin surface side along a pair of first folding lines 19 passing in the longitudinal direction on the outer side in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1.

[0050] The continuous body of the absorbent pad 1 folded back in a C shape by the first folding step (step S101) is cut along a cutting line 20 extending in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 by the cutting step (step S102), and the absorbent pad 1 is formed for each sheet. By making it in the C-fold shape in the state of the continuous body, the folding to form the absorbent pad 1 that has been conveyed first into the C-fold shape is transmitted to the absorbent pad 1 that is conveyed later, and the C-fold shape can be easily formed. Therefore, the C-fold shape is formed while the absorbent pad 1 is conveyed in a continuous body. Then, the conveyed continuous body is cut, and the absorbent pad 1 is manufactured for each sheet.

[0051] Next, by the folding step (step S103), as shown in FIG. 8(A), along the second folding line 21F provided on the front side among the pair of second folding lines 21F and 21R passing in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1, the front end portion of the absorbent pad 1 is folded so that the skin surface sides contact each other on the central side in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1. Here, both end portions on the outer side in the width direction of the front end portion of the absorbent pad 1 are bent toward the center side of the absorbent pad 1 along the folding line 18.

[0052] Thereafter, in the second folding step (step S104), as shown in FIG. 8(B), the rear end portion of the absorbent pad 1 is folded along the second folding line 21R toward the central side in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1, and then a plurality of them are packed by being accommodated in a package. Here, the distance from the second folding line 21F to the front end portion of the absorbent pad 1 is longer than the distance between the second folding lines 21F and 21R. Therefore, the central portion in the width direction of the front end portion of the absorbent pad 1 folded in the second folding step (step S104) is folded back to the non-skin side. Thus, at the front end portion of the absorbent pad 1, both end portions on the outer sides in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 are folded back toward the center of the absorbent pad 1 along the folding line 18, and the central portion in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 is folded back to the non-skin side.

[0053] When using the absorbent pad 1, the absorbent pad 1 is worn by the wearer in a flat state with it spread out. First, the absorbent pad 1 folded in the second folding step (step S103) is unfolded. At this time, the central portion in the width direction of the front end portion of the absorbent pad 1 is folded back to the non-skin side in the second folding step (step S103). The central portion in the width direction of the front end portion of the absorbent pad 1 folded back to the non-skin side rises from the absorbent pad 1 by unfolding the absorbent pad 1 folded in the second folding step (step S103), so it is easy to pinch with fingers and the wearing operation can be facilitated.

[0054] FIG. 9 is a view showing the absorbent pad 1 folded in the second folding step (step S103) being unfolded. Both end portions on the outer sides in the width direction of the front end portion of the absorbent pad 1 are folded back toward the center of the absorbent pad 1 along the folding line 18. Therefore, in the wearing state, it bends so as to cover the space between the wearer and the front body region 1F formed by the shrinkage of the thread rubbers 9BL and 9BR from both end portions in the width direction at the front end portion in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1.

[0055] Further, both outer sides in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 are folded back toward the inner side in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 along the first folding line 19. Here, even if the regions folded back along the first folding line 19 on both outer sides in the width direction of the region having a long length in the width direction in the back body region 1R and the crotch region 1B are unfolded and worn, both outer sides in the width direction of the region having a short length in the width direction in the front body region 1F and the crotch region 1B are folded back toward the inner side in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1 along the first folding line 19. Therefore, in the worn state, both sides in the width direction of the space between the wearer and the front body region 1F formed by the contraction of the thread rubbers 9BL and 9BR are covered.

[0056] Thus, the urethral orifice corresponding region U is covered at both ends in the width direction and the upper width direction of the urethral orifice corresponding region U by the side flaps 11L and 11R folded back along the folding line 18 and the side flaps 11L and 11R folded back along the first folding line 19. Therefore, it is possible to suppress urine discharged by the wearer from leaking over the leak-preventing walls 3L and 3R. Further, when a male wears the absorbent pad 1, since the penis is wrapped by the side flaps 11L and 11R, it is possible to suppress urine discharged from leaking over the leak-preventing walls 3L and 3R.

[0057] In the present embodiment, the front end portion of the absorbent pad 1 is raised by the leg gathers 3AL and 3AR, but raising the front end portion of the absorbent pad 1 is not limited to the leg gathers 3AL and 3AR. For example, a displacement prevention gather provided on the non-skin surface side of the absorbent body 6 to prevent displacement of the absorbent pad 1 may be used, or the front end portion of the absorbent pad 1 may be raised by other gathers extending outward in the width direction of the absorbent body 6.

[0058] The present invention is applicable not only to absorbent pads but also to pant diapers and tape diapers.

[0059] The features included in each of the embodiments and their modifications disclosed above can be combined with each other.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0060] 1 ·· Absorbent pad 1F ·· Front body area 1B ·· Crotch area 1R ·· Rear body area 3L, 3R ·· Leakage barrier 3AL, 3AR ·· Leg gather 3BL, 3BR, 9BL, 9BR ·· Elastic cord 3LL, 3LR ·· Fold line 33L, 33R ·· Fixing part 4 ·· Cover sheet 5 ·· Back sheet 6 ·· Absorbent body 6C ·· Absorbent core 6A ·· Upper absorbent mat 6B ·· Lower absorbent mat 7 ·· Core wrap sheet 7A ·· Upper core wrap sheet 7B ·· Lower core wrap sheet 8 ·· Top sheet 9L, 9R ·· Side sheet 9LA, 9RA ·· Fixing area 9LB, 9RB ·· Free end 11L, 11R ·· Side flap 18 ·· Fold line 19 ·· First folding line 20 ·· Cutting line 21F, 21R ·· Second folding line U ·· Area corresponding to urethral orifice

Claims

1. a length along a longitudinal direction corresponding to the front-back direction of the wearer, a length along a width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, an absorber disposed at least in a region corresponding to the crotch of the wearer and absorbing liquid, a water-permeable sheet disposed on the skin side of the absorber with respect to the wearer, a pair of leak-proof wall forming sheets disposed on the skin side of the water-permeable sheet and on both sides in the width direction, with the inner side in the width direction being folded back to the skin side along a folding line extending in the longitudinal direction to form a leak-proof wall for preventing leakage of liquid, an elastic member adhesively attached to the leak-proof wall forming sheet so as to extend in the longitudinal direction in an extended state on the front side in the longitudinal direction, a laminate in which a plurality of sheets located outside the width direction with respect to the folding line are laminated, a folding line for folding the front end portion of the laminate inward in the longitudinal direction, and comprising: an absorbent article.

2. The front end portion in the longitudinal direction of the laminate folded along the folding line is separated from the laminate on the central side in the longitudinal direction. The absorbent article according to Claim 1.

3. Comprising a first folding line extending in the longitudinal direction and for folding the absorbent article. The absorbent article according to Claim 1 or 2.

4. A pair of the first folding lines are provided on both sides in the width direction. The absorbent article according to Claim 3.

5. The elastic member is provided outside the width direction of the absorber. The absorbent article according to Claim 1 or 2.

6. The elastic member is provided in a region where the width direction of the absorber is narrow. The absorbent article according to Claim 1 or 2.

7. Comprising a second folding line extending in the width direction and provided in a pair in the longitudinal direction for folding the absorbent article, The length from the second folding line on the front side in the longitudinal direction to the end portion of the absorbent article is longer than the length between the pair of second folding lines. The absorbent article according to Claim 1 or 2.

8. a length along a longitudinal direction corresponding to the front-back direction of the wearer, a length along a width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, a laminate in which a plurality of sheets located outside the width direction with respect to a folding line extending in the longitudinal direction are laminated, a folding line for folding the front end portion of the laminate inward in the longitudinal direction, and comprising a method for manufacturing an absorbent article, a first folding step of folding the absorbent article so that the skin sides of the absorbent article overlap each other along a pair of first folding lines extending in the longitudinal direction in the width direction. A folding step of folding a front end portion of the absorbent article toward a central side in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article along the second folding line that extends forward among the pair of second folding lines that extend in the width direction in the longitudinal direction, and folding a front end portion of the laminate inward in the longitudinal direction along the folding line; along the second folding line that extends rearward among the pair of second folding lines that extend in the longitudinal direction a second folding step of folding a rear end portion of the absorbent article toward a central side in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article, and a method for manufacturing an absorbent article. A method for manufacturing an absorbent article.

Images