Interlabial pad

Abstract

To provide an interlabial pad having preferable fitness and being hard to make a wearer feel discomfort.SOLUTION: An interlabial pad (1) includes an absorbent core (132) and a non-skin side sheet (133). The non-skin side sheet (133) has a plurality of slits (18) in end portion regions (SR) located on both sides when the interlabial pad (1) is divided into three in a width direction. The plurality of slits (18) have a first slit (18a) along a first direction and a second slit (18b) along a direction different from the first direction. None of the plurality of slits (18a, 18b) crosses with other slits.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an interlabial pad.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, absorbent articles such as interlabial pads that are worn in close contact with the labia have been known. In such an interlabial pad (absorbent article), a plurality of slits are provided in a member with high rigidity such as an absorber, so that it can be deformed three-dimensionally along the unevenness of the wearer's body, thereby enhancing the fit during wearing. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an interlabial pad provided with a plurality of slits along the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction of the product.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In such an interlabial pad having a plurality of slits, when two different slits intersect each other, the absorbent core or the sheet member laminated with the absorbent core may curl up toward the skin side at the intersection, which may cause discomfort to the wearer. Particularly in the case of an interlabial pad, the curled-up portion may irritate the sensitive skin (labia), likely causing discomfort.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an interlabial pad that has good fit and is less likely to cause discomfort to the wearer.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The main invention for achieving the above object is an interlabial pad having a longitudinal direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction that intersect each other, an absorbent core, and a non-skin side sheet provided on the non-skin side in the thickness direction with respect to the absorbent core. The non-skin side sheet has a plurality of slits in end regions located on both sides when the interlabial pad is trisected in the width direction. The plurality of slits include a first slit along a first direction and a second slit along a direction different from the first direction, and none of the plurality of slits intersects with other slits. This is the interlabial pad characterized by this.

[0007] Other features of the present invention will be clarified by the description in this specification and the attached drawings.

Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an interlabial pad that has good fit and is unlikely to cause discomfort to the wearer.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

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Figure 15

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] At least the following matters become clear from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings. (Aspect 1) A labial pad having a longitudinal direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction that intersect each other, an absorbent core, and a non-skin side sheet provided on the non-skin side in the thickness direction with respect to the absorbent core, wherein the non-skin side sheet has a plurality of slits in end regions located on both sides when the labial pad is trisected in the width direction, and the plurality of slits have a first slit along a first direction and a second slit along a direction different from the first direction, and none of the plurality of slits intersects with another slit. The labial pad is characterized by this.

[0011] According to the pudendal pad of Aspect 1, in the end region, a plurality of first slits and second slits along different directions from each other are provided, so that the absorption layer is likely to be three-dimensionally deformed and the fit is improved. In addition, since each slit does not cross each other, it is possible to suppress the non-skin side sheet or the like constituting the absorption layer from curling up to the skin side and irritating the labia, and it is difficult to cause discomfort or a sense of incongruity to the wearer.

[0012] (Aspect 2) The pudendal pad according to Aspect 1, wherein the first slit is a slit along the width direction, and the second slit is a slit along the front-rear direction.

[0013] According to the pudendal pad of Aspect 2, starting from the first slit and the second slit as bending starting points, the absorption layer or the like is likely to be bent and deformed in the front-rear direction and the width direction. As a result, the pudendal pad is more likely to be deformed flexibly according to the unevenness of the crotch portion of the wearer, and the fit can be improved.

[0014] (Aspect 3) In the central region located at the center when the pudendal pad is trisected in the width direction, the central region has a plurality of the first slits and the second slits along a direction different from the first direction, and in the central region, the first slit and the second slit have a portion where they cross each other. The pudendal pad according to Aspect 1 or 2.

[0015] According to the pudendal pad of Aspect 3, the first slit and the second slit intersecting in the central region make the absorption layer likely to be bent and deformed, and the fit to the vaginal opening can be improved. In addition, the central region is a portion that contacts the vaginal opening of the wearer when the pudendal pad is worn. Even if curling occurs toward the skin side at the intersection of the slits, since the curling is sandwiched between the grooves between the labia, it is difficult to cause a sense of incongruity to the wearer.

[0016] (Aspect 4) The first slit has a first one-sided slit adjacent to one side of the second slit and a first other-sided slit adjacent to the other side of the second slit in the width direction. When viewed in the thickness direction, the extension line of the first one-sided slit and the extension line of the first other-sided slit overlap, and the distance between the first one-sided slit and the first other-sided slit is shorter than at least the length of either the first one-sided slit or the first other-sided slit. The interlabial pad according to any one of Aspects 1 to 3.

[0017] According to the interlabial pad of Aspect 4, by making the width of the portion where no slit is formed between the first one-sided slit and the first other-sided slit shorter than the length of each slit, compared with the case where the width of the portion where no slit is formed is long, the absorption layer is more likely to bend and deform, and the fitness in the end region of the interlabial pad can be improved.

[0018] (Aspect 5) The distance between the first one-sided slit and the first other-sided slit is shorter than the length of the first one-sided slit and shorter than the length of the first other-sided slit. The interlabial pad according to any one of Aspects 1 to 4.

[0019] According to the interlabial pad of Aspect 5, long slits that promote deformation are provided on both sides of the region where no slit is formed and the absorption layer is less likely to deform (the region between the first one-sided slit and the first other-sided slit), so that deformation is likely to occur in a wide range of the end region, and the fitness is further improved.

[0020] (Aspect 6) The distance between the first one-sided slit and the first other-sided slit is longer than the average fiber length of the fibers included in the absorbent core. The interlabial pad according to any one of Aspects 1 to 5.

[0021] According to the pudendal pad of Aspect 6, if the distance between the one-side first slit and the other-side first slit is longer than the average fiber length of the fibers, when forming the two slits, the probability that the fibers are cut at the portion where the slits are formed is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the fibers from becoming densified around the cut portion, and it is difficult for the flexibility of the absorbent core to deteriorate.

[0022] (Aspect 7) The absorbent core has a portion that protrudes toward the skin side in the thickness direction between the other-side end of the one-side first slit and the one-side end of the other-side first slit in the width direction, and is the pudendal pad according to any one of Aspects 1 to 6.

[0023] According to the pudendal pad of Aspect 7, since the portion that protrudes toward the skin side is provided without the fibers constituting the absorbent core being cut, it is difficult for the absorbent core to be densified at the portion, and it contacts the pudendal lips while maintaining flexibility. As a result, it becomes easier to realize good wearing comfort.

[0024] (Aspect 8) The second slit has a discontinuous portion in the front-back direction, and is the pudendal pad according to any one of Aspects 1 to 7.

[0025] According to the pudendal pad of Aspect 8, by providing a discontinuous portion in the second slit along the front-back direction, it becomes easier to control the bending deformation of the absorbent layer, the diffusion of excreted liquid, etc., and it becomes easier to achieve both good fit and liquid absorbency.

[0026] (Aspect 9) The second slit has a front-side second slit disposed on the front side of the central position in the front-back direction of the absorbent core and a rear-side second slit disposed on the rear side of the central position, and the length of the front-side second slit in the front-back direction is shorter than the length of the rear-side second slit in the front-back direction, and is the pudendal pad according to any one of Aspects 1 to 8.

[0027] According to the pudendal pad of Aspect 9, during wearing, since the amount of excreted fluid absorbed in the front region in the front-rear direction (the region close to the wearer's excretion opening) increases, by making the rear second slit longer to facilitate diffusion of the excreted fluid to the rear side of the absorption layer, it is possible to suppress the retention of excreted fluid on the front side of the absorption layer and make it easier to hold the excreted fluid over a wide range of the absorption layer.

[0028] (Aspect 10) The pudendal pad according to any one of Aspects 1 to 9, wherein the number of the first slits arranged adjacent to both sides in the width direction of the rear second slit is larger than the number of the first slits arranged adjacent to both sides in the width direction of the front second slit.

[0029] According to the pudendal pad of Aspect 10, since many slits are provided in the region on the rear side of the central position in the front-rear direction, the region on the rear side of the absorption layer is more likely to undergo three-dimensional deformation. Therefore, when the pudendal pad is worn, on the rear side (dorsal side) of the body, the absorption layer is more likely to undergo three-dimensional deformation according to large unevenness such as the buttocks, and the fit can be improved.

[0030] (Aspect 11) The pudendal pad according to any one of Aspects 1 to 10, wherein the length in the front-rear direction of the second slit provided in the central region located at the center when the pudendal pad is trisected in the width direction is shorter than the length in the front-rear direction of the second slit provided in the end region.

[0031] According to the pudendal pad of Aspect 11, in the central region close to the wearer's excretion opening (vagina), by not making the length in the front-rear direction of the second slit excessively long, the diffusion of fluid in the front-rear direction can be restricted, and in the end region, by making the length in the front-rear direction of the second slit longer, the diffusion of fluid in the front-rear direction can be promoted. Thereby, it is possible to easily diffuse the excreted fluid over a wide range of the absorption layer.

[0032] (Aspect 12) In the end region, at least a part of the plurality of first slits is disposed at a predetermined angle with respect to the width direction. The pudendal pad according to any one of Aspects 1 to 11.

[0033] According to the pudendal pad of Aspect 12, since the first slit is disposed obliquely, when the pudendal pad is worn, it is likely to be bent and deformed along the obliquely disposed first slit. As a result, the absorbent layer is likely to be three-dimensionally deformed and is likely to fit to the unevenness of the body.

[0034] (Aspect 13) The first slit is disposed such that the inclination angle with respect to the width direction is reversed between the front side and the rear side in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent core. The pudendal pad according to any one of Aspects 1 to 12.

[0035] According to the pudendal pad of Aspect 13, when worn, the bending deformation of the absorbent layer is reversed between the front side (ventral side) and the rear side (dorsal side) of the wearer's body, and the fitting property can be improved on both sides of the ventral side and the dorsal side.

[0036] (Aspect 14) A surface layer capable of contacting the wearer's skin, and a sub-absorbent layer is provided between the surface layer and the absorbent core. The absorbent core has a shorter average fiber length and a thinner average fiber diameter than the sub-absorbent layer. The pudendal pad according to any one of Aspects 1 to 13.

[0037] According to the pudendal pad of Aspect 14, the absorbent core is likely to have fibers densely packed and a high density, and the sub-absorbent layer is less likely to have a high density compared to the absorbent core. Therefore, the density of the sub-absorbent layer located near the wearer's skin when the pudendal pad is worn is less likely to increase, and the skin contact can be made soft.

[0038] (Aspect 15) The average basis weight of the absorbent core in the central region located at the center when the interlabial pad is trisected in the width direction is smaller than the average basis weight of the absorbent core in the end regions, the interlabial pad according to any one of Aspects 1 to 14.

[0039] According to the interlabial pad of Aspect 15, the absorbent core is likely to bend at the central part in the width direction, and it is easy to maintain a mountain shape with the center convex toward the skin side. Therefore, the fit to the vaginal orifice during wearing can be improved.

[0040] (Aspect 16) In the end regions of the absorbent core where the average basis weight is large, the slits intersecting each other are not provided, and in the central region of the absorbent core where the average basis weight is small, the slits intersecting each other are provided, the interlabial pad according to any one of Aspects 1 to 15.

[0041] According to the interlabial pad of Aspect 16, in the end regions that come into contact with the wearer's labia during wearing, by preventing the slits from intersecting, it is difficult for curling to occur. On the other hand, in the central region located between the wearer's labia during wearing, even if curling occurs due to the intersection of the slits, it is difficult for the wearer to feel discomfort. Furthermore, since the basis weight of the absorbent core is small, the central region is more likely to deform flexibly, and the fit to the vaginal orifice during wearing is further improved.

[0042] ===Embodiment=== Hereinafter, embodiments will be described by taking the interlabial pad 1 (hereinafter also referred to as "pad 1") as an example of the absorbent article according to the present invention. The interlabial pad is a sanitary product that is sandwiched between a woman's labia and absorbs excreta (body fluids) such as menstrual blood.

[0043] <Basic Configuration of Interlabial Pad 1> FIG. 1 is a plan view of the pad 1 in the unfolded state. FIG. 1 is a view seen from the skin side of the pad 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 1. FIGS. 3 and 4 are diagrams for explaining the configuration of the pad 1. The center C-C in each figure (FIGS. 1 to 4) indicates the center in the width direction, and the center CL indicates the center in the front-rear direction of the absorption layer 13 (described later) when the pad 1 is viewed in the thickness direction. FIGS. 1 and 2 are diagrams of the state where the finger insertion sheet 15 (described later) is cut along the center C-C and the pad 1 is placed flat on the plane ("flat on the plane" state).

[0044] The pad 1 has a front-rear direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction that are perpendicular to each other. In the front-rear direction of the pad 1, when worn, the side located on the ventral side of the wearer is defined as the "front side", and the side located on the dorsal side of the wearer is defined as the "rear side". In the thickness direction of the pad 1, the side that contacts the skin of the wearer is defined as the "skin side", and the opposite side is defined as the "non-skin side".

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the pad 1 is substantially elliptical in plan view, with the length in the front-rear direction being longer than the length in the width direction, and is symmetric with respect to the center C-C in the width direction. It has a portion where it is constricted inward in the width direction at the center CL in the front-rear direction, and the length in the width direction becomes narrower. Also, the pad 1 is asymmetric in plan view with respect to the center in the front-rear direction. Specifically, the center CL (the center in the front-rear direction of the absorption layer 13) is located on the rear side of the center in the front-rear direction of the pad 1, and the distance from the front end of the pad 1 to the front end of the absorption layer 13 is longer than the distance from the rear end of the pad 1 to the rear end of the absorption layer 13. That is, in the front-rear direction of the pad 1, the absorption layer 13 is disposed closer to the rear side. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the pad 1 includes a surface layer 11, a sub-absorption layer 12, an absorption layer 13, a back layer 14, and a finger insertion sheet 15.

[0046] The pad 1 of the present embodiment is stored and distributed as a product folded on the non-skin side along the fold line F. FIGS. 3 and 4 are diagrams for explaining the state in which the pad 1 is disassembled into each member. As shown in FIG. 3A, the pad 1 of the present embodiment is folded toward the non-skin side along the fold line F (folding line) at the central portion (central C-C) in the width direction, and on the outermost non-skin side, a finger insertion sheet 15 for forming a finger insertion portion 20 is fixed using an adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive HMA. The fold line F is a bent portion provided at the central portion in the width direction along the front-rear direction. The fold line F is a portion having a predetermined width, and the vertex on the skin side (the portion protruding most toward the skin side) of the fold line F is substantially at the same position as the central C-C in the width direction. FIG. 3B shows a state in which the finger insertion sheet 15 is separated from the back surface layer 14, and FIG. 3C shows a state in which the pad 1 with the finger insertion sheet 15 removed is made horizontal from the folded state at the fold line F. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, starting from the skin side in the thickness direction, the surface layer 11, the sub-absorbing layer 12, the absorbing layer 13, and the back surface layer 14 are stacked, and at least some of these members are joined by an adhesive or the like (see FIG. 2).

[0047] Since the surface layer 11 is located on the outermost skin side and is a member that contacts the wearer's skin (between the labia) during wearing, it is preferable to use a soft sheet that is less likely to irritate the skin. The surface layer 11 forms the outer shape of the pad 1 and is a liquid-permeable sheet member. Examples of the surface layer 11 include non-woven fabrics obtained from manufacturing methods such as meltblown, spunbond, pointbond, through-air, needle punch, dry / wet spunlace, and foam film, alone or in combination. Materials containing rayon, acetate, cotton, pulp, or synthetic resin (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate: PET, polypropylene: PP, polyethylene: PE, etc.) as components, alone or combined in a core-sheath structure, or a sheet member of fibers mixed alone can be used. The pad 1 of the present embodiment uses a sheet member made of rayon and polyethylene terephthalate.

[0048] The secondary absorption layer 12 is located on the non-skin side of the surface layer 11 and on the skin side of the absorption layer 13. The secondary absorption layer 12 serves as a cushion layer that flexibly follows changes such as the wearer's movement, changes in the behavior of the labia, and pressure from clothing between the surface layer 11 and the absorption layer 13, changes its own shape, and reduces the discomfort given to the wearer. The shape of the secondary absorption layer 12 is substantially elliptical, smaller than the surface layer 11, and is located at the approximate center (more precisely, closer to the rear side) of the pad 1. Also, at the center CL in the front-rear direction of the secondary absorption layer 12, it is constricted inward in the width direction, and the length in the width direction is narrowed. As the secondary absorption layer 12, for example, pulp, chemical pulp, rayon, acetate, natural cotton, synthetic fibers can be used alone or in combination. In this embodiment, fibers mainly mixed with pulp fibers, rayon fibers, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) are used.

[0049] The absorption layer 13 is located on the non-skin side of the secondary absorption layer 12 and on the skin side of the back surface layer 14, and is an absorber that absorbs body fluids such as excrement. The absorption layer 13 has a substantially elliptical shape and is located at the approximate center (more precisely, closer to the rear side) of the pad 1. Details of the absorption layer 13 will be described later.

[0050] The back surface layer 14 is a sheet member located on the non-skin side of the absorption layer 13. The back surface layer 14 forms the outer shape of the pad 1 and has substantially the same shape and size as the surface layer 11 in a plan view. As the back surface layer 14, sheet members such as a liquid-permeable sheet or a liquid-impermeable sheet can be used. For example, a sheet-like film of synthetic resin, a breathable film, pulp, paper, non-woven fabric, a breathable liquid-blocking sheet, or a sheet member combining these can be used. In this embodiment, a sheet-like member mixed with rayon, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and pulp is used.

[0051] The finger-insertion sheet 15 is a sheet member for forming the finger-insertion portion 20. The finger-insertion portion 20 is a space between the finger-insertion sheet 15 and the back surface layer 14, and is a space for the wearer to insert a finger when wearing the pad 1. The finger-insertion sheet 15 is shorter than the back surface layer 14 in the front-rear direction and shorter than the back surface layer 14 in the width direction. Also, it is provided on the non-skin side of the back surface layer 14 and on the rear side in the front-rear direction. Both side portions in the width direction of the finger-insertion sheet 15 are joined and fixed to the non-skin side of the back surface layer 14 by a finger-insertion sheet joint portion 16 formed by an adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive (see FIG. 2). The front end portion of the finger-insertion sheet 15 and the rear end portion of the finger-insertion sheet 15 each have an opening where the finger-insertion sheet 15 and the back surface layer 14 are not fixed by an adhesive. The front opening is larger than the rear opening. The wearer can insert a finger (for example, the middle finger) through the front opening of the finger-insertion portion 20, abut the pad 1 against the labia in a state of supporting the pad 1, and wear it.

[0052] As the finger-insertion sheet 15, the same material as the surface layer 11 or the back surface layer 14 can be used. For example, spunlace non-woven fabric made of composite synthetic fibers such as PE / PP, PE / PET, PP / PP as raw materials, shrink-type non-woven fabric, extensible spunbond, etc., non-woven fabric, or a sheet member of fibers of rayon, acetate, cotton, pulp, or synthetic resin (for example, polyethylene terephthalate: PET), a breathable film, paper, a breathable liquid-blocking sheet, etc. can be used. Also, for example, a sheet having elasticity such as a film made of synthetic rubber or amorphous olefin-based resin, an open-cell foam film, a net, a woven fabric, or a fabric in which a spun filament made of synthetic rubber is woven into a woven fabric, a spunbond non-woven fabric or a meltblown non-woven fabric mainly made of synthetic rubber, a foamed foam sheet, etc. may be used. In this embodiment, a sheet member mainly made of pulp and rayon is used.

[0053] Note that although the pad 1 of the present embodiment is folded to the non-skin side along the fold line F in the unused state, it is not limited to this. For example, in the unused state, it may not have the fold line F and may not be folded, and the wearer may fold it to the non-skin side by himself / herself when wearing. Also, it may have a plurality of fold lines F. The fold line F may have a so-called crease after being folded, or may not have a crease.

[0054] <Regarding the wearing of the pad 1> The pad 1 is worn by being brought into contact with the skin (excretion opening) of the wearer in a state of being folded toward the non-skin side along the front-rear direction at the central portion in the width direction. The pad 1 of the present embodiment is a sanitary product, and can be worn by folding it toward the non-skin side so as to be convex in the skin direction along the fold line F and sandwiching the central portion in the width direction of the pad 1 between the labia of a woman. Since the pad 1 has a higher adhesion to the body (excretion opening) than a sanitary napkin, leakage of excrement (menstrual blood) is less likely to occur, and discomfort during excretion is less likely to occur.

[0055] When wearing, the wearer can be in a worn state by inserting a finger (index finger or middle finger) into the finger insertion portion 20 from the front side of the pad 1 folded at the fold portion F and bringing the pad 1 into contact with and sandwiching it between the labia from the ventral side. After use, the worn pad 1 can be dropped into the toilet, or the worn pad 1 can be grasped by hand and put into the toilet and flushed for disposal. In order to flush it down the toilet, it is preferable that each member and the adhesive constituting the pad 1 are made of a biodegradable material, a water-dispersible material, or a water-soluble material. By flushing it down the toilet, the trouble of treating the pad 1 as garbage can be reduced, and the amount of garbage can be reduced.

[0056] Note that "biodegradability" means that, in the presence of bacteria such as actinomycetes and other microorganisms, substances are decomposed into gases such as carbon dioxide or methane, water, and biomass under anaerobic or aerobic conditions according to the processes of nature, and the biodegradability (biodegradation rate, degree of biodegradation, etc.) of the substances is comparable to that of materials that occur naturally such as fallen leaves or synthetic polymers generally recognized as biodegradable in the same environment. "Water dispersibility" means that it is also hydrolyzable, and although it is not affected by a limited amount of moisture (menstrual blood) during wearing, in a large amount of water or water flow, the fibers can be easily dispersed into small fragments to such an extent that they do not clog at least a general toilet pipe. "Water solubility" means that although it is not affected by a limited amount of moisture (menstrual blood) during wearing, it dissolves in a large amount of water or water flow.

[0057] <Regarding the absorption layer 13> FIG. 5 is a plan view for explaining the configuration of the absorption layer 13. The absorption layer 13 of the present embodiment includes a skin-side sheet 131, an absorbent core 132, and a non-skin-side sheet 133 in this order from the skin side in the thickness direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the region located at the center when the pad 1 is trisected in the width direction is defined as the central region CR, and the regions located on both sides are defined as the end regions SR.

[0058] The absorbent core 132 is a site having water absorption and water retention properties for absorbing and holding liquids (body fluids) such as menstrual blood. For example, pulp, chemical pulp, rayon, acetate, natural cotton, synthetic fibers, cellulose foam, continuous foam of synthetic resin, etc. can be used alone or in combination. In addition, a particulate polymer absorbent or a fibrous polymer absorbent may be mixed, or a sheet-like polymer absorbent may be used. Further, in order to maintain the bulkiness of the absorbent core and enhance the water retention property, crosslinked and crimped chemical pulp, acetate, and synthetic fibers may be mixed with a crosslinking agent. In the pad 1, pulp fibers (water-absorbent fibers) formed into a predetermined shape are used.

[0059] The skin-side sheet 131 is a member that covers the absorbent core 132 from the skin side, and the non-skin-side sheet 133 is a member that covers the absorbent core 132 from the non-skin side. Examples of the skin-side sheet 131 and the non-skin-side sheet 133 include cellulose such as pulverized pulp and cotton, regenerated cellulose such as rayon and fibrillated rayon, semi-synthetic cellulose such as acetate and triacetate, and those obtained by subjecting thermoplastic hydrophobic chemical fibers to a hydrophilic treatment. In the present embodiment, the skin-side sheet 131 of the pad 1 is a sheet made of a span lace of pulp and rayon, and the non-skin-side sheet 133 is a sheet made of pulp such as a wet-laid tissue of 100% pulp.

[0060] Also, by providing the skin-side sheet 131, the excrement that has reached the absorption layer 13 is easily diffused in the horizontal direction, and the horizontally spread excrement can be absorbed by the absorbent core 132. As a result, the excrement is easily absorbed by the absorbent core 132 quickly, and it is easy to reduce the discomfort given to the skin of the wearer.

[0061] Further, the absorption layer 13 is provided with a plurality of slits 18, 18... and a plurality of squeezing portions 19, 19... (not shown in FIG. 5). The slit 18 is at least a cut that penetrates the absorption layer 13 (the skin-side sheet 131, the absorbent core 132, and the non-skin-side sheet 133) in the thickness direction. However, the slit 18 may penetrate the absorption layer 13 and the sub-absorption layer 12 in the thickness direction. By providing the slit 18, when the pad 1 is worn, the absorption layer 13 and the sub-absorption layer 12 are easily deformed flexibly following the movement of the wearer's body, and the fit is improved. Further, by diffusing the absorbed excreted liquid in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction along the slit 18, the excreted liquid can be absorbed and held in a wide range of the absorbent core 132. Although details will be described later, the slit 18 is formed by making a cut with a cutter or the like from the non-skin side in the thickness direction of the absorption layer 13. Therefore, in the pad 1 of the present embodiment, at least a slit (cut) is formed in the non-skin-side sheet 133.

[0062] The slit 18 has a first slit 18a along the width direction and a second slit 18b along the front-rear direction. Here, the "slit along the width direction" refers to a slit in which the smaller of the angles formed by the slit (or the tangent of the slit) and the width direction is 45 degrees or less. That is, the first slit 18a includes a slit provided parallel to the width direction and a slit provided at a predetermined angle inclined by 45 degrees or less with respect to the width direction. Similarly, the "slit along the front-rear direction" refers to a slit in which the smaller of the angles formed by the slit (or the tangent of the slit) and the front-rear direction is less than 45 degrees. That is, the second slit 18b includes a slit provided parallel to the front-rear direction and a slit provided at a predetermined angle inclined by less than 45 degrees with respect to the front-rear direction.

[0063] The squeezing portion 19 is a portion that squeezes the absorbent layer 13 (the skin-side sheet 131, the absorbent core 132, and the non-skin-side sheet 133) and the sub-absorbent layer 12 in the thickness direction, and is formed, for example, by stacking the absorbent layer 13 and the sub-absorbent layer 12 in the thickness direction and performing embossing or the like (see FIG. 4). By providing the squeezing portion 19, a plurality of fibers constituting the absorbent layer 13 and the sub-absorbent layer 12 are crimped, and the absorbent layer 13 and the sub-absorbent layer 12 are each more likely to maintain their shapes and are less likely to come apart. Therefore, when the pad 1 is worn and the wearer moves their body, it is suppressed that the absorbent layer 13 loses its shape or twists, resulting in deteriorated fit or leakage of excreted liquid.

[0064] Note that the absorbent layer 13 and the sub-absorbent layer 12 are only crimped by the squeezing portion 19 and are not fixed using an adhesive or the like. Therefore, when the used pad 1 is flushed down the toilet, if the squeezing portion 19 gets wet with water, the crimping (hydrogen bonding) between the fibers is released, and the fibers constituting the absorbent layer 13 and the sub-absorbent layer 12 are more likely to come apart. As a result, the hydrolyzability (water dispersibility) is increased, and problems such as clogging of the toilet pipe can be less likely to occur.

[0065] In addition, the absorbent core 132 of the present embodiment contains hardwood absorbent fibers (hardwood pulp), which are absorbent fibers made of hardwood, as pulp fibers (absorbent fibers). These hardwood absorbent fibers are characterized by having a shorter fiber length and a thinner fiber diameter compared to softwood absorbent fibers (softwood pulp) made of softwood.

[0066] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the fiber length distribution of hardwood absorbent fibers (hardwood pulp) and softwood absorbent fibers (softwood pulp). The horizontal axis represents the fiber length (mm), and the vertical axis represents the frequency (%). As shown in FIG. 6, the average fiber length of softwood pulp is about 2.5 mm, and the distribution width of the fiber length is wide (fibers of 3 mm or more are included. The standard deviation is 1.6). On the other hand, the average fiber length of hardwood absorbent fibers is about 0.79 mm, and the distribution width of the fiber length is narrow (the standard deviation is 0.27).

[0067] Note that the average fiber length of pulp fibers means the length-weighted average fiber length L(l) measured by the centerline fiber length (Cont). The length-weighted average fiber length is measured as the L(l) value by Kajaani FiberLab fiber properties (off-line) manufactured by Metso Automation. This is also a method recommended by JIS P 8226-2 (Pulp - Method for measuring fiber length by optical automatic analysis - Conforming to the non-polarization method).

[0068] The absorbent core 132 is composed of water-absorbent fibers with short fiber lengths, such as hardwood pulp (water-absorbent fibers with an average fiber length of about 0.8 mm), and thus has high water retention. For example, when comparing an absorber formed of hardwood pulp with short fiber lengths and an absorber formed of softwood pulp with long fiber lengths at the same weight, the fiber number density of the hardwood pulp is greater than that of the softwood pulp. That is, by using hardwood pulp, it is possible to increase the density of the absorbent core 132 compared to the case of using softwood pulp. And by increasing the density of the absorbent core 132, the capillary effect can be enhanced and the water retention can be improved. Note that the fiber number density corresponds to the average number of fibers per unit area, and is a value calculated by the fiber thickness + average fiber distance for the number of fibers included per unit area in the case of the closest packing structure.

[0069] <Method for manufacturing the interlabial pad 1> Next, a method for manufacturing the interlabial pad 1 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the manufacturing process of the pad 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining a manufacturing apparatus 500 for manufacturing an absorbent article such as the pad 1. Note that FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate representative steps related to the manufacture of the pad 1 and do not represent all of the manufacturing steps.

[0070] The manufacturing apparatus 500 shown in FIG. 8 can intermittently manufacture the pad 1 and other absorbent articles according to the present embodiment by sequentially performing each step (S101 to S110) shown in FIG. 7. The manufacturing apparatus 500 includes a transport mechanism 510, an absorbent core laminating mechanism 520, a sub-absorbent layer laminating mechanism 530, a reversing mechanism 540, a first slit forming mechanism 550, a second slit forming mechanism 560, a cutting and sealing mechanism 570, a sealer mechanism 580, a finger insertion sheet attaching mechanism 590, and a loosening mechanism 595.

[0071] In the manufacturing process of the pad 1, first, a conveying step of conveying a continuum of the non-skin-side sheet 133 constituting the absorption layer 13 in the conveying direction is performed (S101). In the manufacturing apparatus 500, the conveying direction is a direction along the longitudinal direction of the pad 1. Hereinafter, the conveying direction is also referred to as the "MD direction (Machine Direction)", and the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction (the direction along the width direction of the pad 1 and the depth direction of the paper surface in FIG. 8) is also referred to as the "CD direction (Cross Direction)".

[0072] In the conveying step, the non-skin-side sheet continuum 133a (base material sheet) in which the non-skin-side sheets 133 are connected in the MD direction is fed out from the raw material roll and then conveyed from the upstream side to the downstream side in the MD direction at a predetermined conveying speed by a conveying mechanism 510 composed of conveying rollers and the like. Then, while the non-skin-side sheet continuum 133a is being conveyed, each step of S102 to S110 is carried out, whereby the pad 1 is manufactured.

[0073] Next, an absorbent core laminating step is performed (S102) in which the absorbent core 132 is laminated on the non-skin side sheet continuum 133a (base material sheet) conveyed in the MD direction using the absorbent core laminating mechanism 520. The absorbent core laminating mechanism 520 includes a defibrator 521, a material supply unit 522, and a rotating drum 523. In the absorbent core laminating step, first, ground pulp that is a raw material for the absorbent core 132 is produced. The ground pulp is produced by defibrating the raw material pulp sheet PS1 using the defibrator 521. The defibrator 521 is provided with a rotating body (for example, Sommill 521m) having a plurality of blades provided on the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical roll. By rotating this rotating body (Sommill 521m) so as to shave the pulp sheet PS1 fed from the original roll, the pulp sheet PS1 is finely pulverized to produce ground pulp. Note that the pulp sheet PS1 may be pulverized using a rotating body different from the Sommill 521m, or the pulp sheet PS1 may be pulverized by hitting it using a hammer mill instead of the rotating body. Also, in the present embodiment, the pulp sheet PS1 that is a raw material for the absorbent core 132 is mainly composed of pulp containing hardwood pulp as described above, but may contain softwood pulp or may be a pulp-mixed spunlace.

[0074] The ground pulp produced by the defibrator 521 is collected inside the material supply unit 522 and supplied to the rotating drum 523. The material supply unit 522 is arranged so as to cover the upper part of the rotating drum 523, mixes a thermoplastic resin with the ground pulp, and further mixes superabsorbent polymer particles (SAP) if necessary, and supplies the mixture to the rotating drum 523 by air conveyance.

[0075] The rotating drum 523 is a hollow cylindrical drum and is provided with a suction mechanism (not shown) that sucks air from the outside to the inside of the outer peripheral surface. Further, a plurality of recesses 523r are formed at a predetermined pitch on the outer peripheral surface as a mold for filling the material of the absorbent core 132. When the rotating drum 523 rotates and the recess 523r enters the material supply section 522, the material (pulverized pulp) of the absorbent core 132 supplied from the material supply section 522 accumulates (collects) in the recess 523r due to the suction of the suction mechanism. Then, when the rotating drum 523 rotates and the recess 523r containing the material of the absorbent core 132 reaches the lowermost part of the drum, the material of the absorbent core 132 comes off the recess 523r and is transferred onto the base material sheet (non-skin side sheet continuum 133a) being conveyed, and is delivered to the next process. Thereby, the absorbent core 132 is laminated on the skin side of the non-skin side sheet 133.

[0076] Next, in the process of conveying the base material sheet on which the absorbent core 132 is laminated downstream in the conveying direction (MD direction) from the absorbent core laminating mechanism 520, the continuum 131a of the skin side sheet 131 is overlaid (see FIG. 8), and the absorbent layer 13 is formed and reaches the sub-absorbent layer laminating mechanism 530. For the sake of simplicity of explanation, the skin side sheet 131 is not shown in the following processes of FIG. 8.

[0077] Next, a sub-absorbent layer laminating step of laminating the sub-absorbent layer 12 on the skin side in the thickness direction of the absorbent layer 13 is performed by the sub-absorbent layer laminating mechanism 530 (S103). The sub-absorbent layer laminating mechanism 530 has a fibrillation device 531. The fibrillation device 531 has a Somill 531m which is a rotating body provided with a plurality of blades on the peripheral surface of a cylindrical roll. Then, in substantially the same manner as the fibrillation device 521, by rotating so as to scrape the pulp sheet PS2 fed out from the raw roll, the pulp sheet PS2 is pulverized to produce pulverized pulp which becomes the raw material of the sub-absorbent layer 12. The pulverized pulp is directly sprayed onto the base material sheet, and a layer of pulverized pulp (sub-absorbent layer 12) is laminated on the skin side of the absorbent layer 13.

[0078] The pulp sheet PS2 used in the sub-absorbing layer lamination process is composed of softwood pulp, and may contain hardwood pulp in addition to softwood pulp, or may be mixed with rayon. And the content rate of hardwood pulp in the pulp sheet PS2 is smaller than that in the pulp sheet PS1. Thereby, the sub-absorbing layer 12 has a longer average fiber length and a thicker average fiber diameter than the absorbent core 132.

[0079] Also, after the sub-absorbing layer 12 is laminated on the absorbing layer 13, embossing for forming the squeezing portion 19 is performed. Thereby, a plurality of fibers constituting the absorbing layer 13 and the sub-absorbing layer 12 are crimped, so that they are not easily peeled off or deformed in the state where they are laminated.

[0080] Next, an inversion process is performed in which the base sheet (absorbing layer 13 and sub-absorbing layer 12) is inverted in the thickness direction by the inversion mechanism 540 (S104). In FIG. 8, the base sheet that has been conveyed from the left side to the right side of the paper surface is inverted in the conveyance direction from the right side to the left side, and at the same time, the thickness direction is also inverted. Therefore, after the inversion process, it is conveyed in the MD direction in a state where the absorbing layer 13 is laminated on the upper side in the vertical direction of the sub-absorbing layer 12.

[0081] Next, a first slit forming step of forming a first slit 18a in the absorption layer 13 is performed (S105) using a first slit forming mechanism 550. The first slit forming mechanism 550 includes a cutter roll 551 and an anvil roll 552. The cutter roll 551 is a rotating body provided with a plurality of blades on the circumferential surface of a cylindrical roll and driven to rotate about a rotation axis along the CD direction. The anvil roll 552 is a rotating body disposed to face the cutter roll 551 in the thickness direction (the vertical direction in FIG. 8) and driven to rotate about a rotation axis along the CD direction. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the cutter roll 551 is provided on the upper side (the non-skin side of the pad 1) in the vertical direction of the manufacturing apparatus 500, and the anvil roll 552 is provided on the lower side (the skin side of the pad 1). Then, the first slit 18a is formed by sandwiching and pressing the base material sheet (the absorption layer 13 and the sub-absorption layer 12) in the thickness direction between the cutter roll 551 and the anvil roll 552. Specific configurations and functions of the cutter roll 551 and the anvil roll 552 will be described later.

[0082] Next, a second slit forming step of forming a second slit 18b in the absorption layer 13 is performed (S106) using a second slit forming mechanism 560. The second slit forming mechanism 560 includes a cutter roll 561 and an anvil roll 562. The cutter roll 561 is a rotating body provided with a plurality of blades on the circumferential surface of a cylindrical roll and driven to rotate about a rotation axis along the CD direction. The anvil roll 562 is a rotating body disposed to face the cutter roll 561 in the thickness direction (the vertical direction in FIG. 8) and driven to rotate about a rotation axis along the CD direction. Specific configurations and functions of the cutter roll 561 and the anvil roll 562 will be described later. Also, in the second slit forming step, the second slit forming mechanism 560 cuts the base material sheet (the absorption layer 13 and the sub-absorption layer 12) into a substantially elliptical shape as shown by the broken line in FIG. 1.

[0083] After the slit 18 is formed in the absorption layer 13 (and the sub-absorption layer 12) in the first slit forming step (S105) and the second slit forming step (S106), in the thickness direction, the continuum 11a of the surface layer 11 is laminated from the skin side of the sub-absorption layer 12, and the continuum 14a of the back surface layer 14 is laminated from the non-skin side of the absorption layer 13.

[0084] Next, a cutting and sealing step is performed (S107) in which the continuum 11a of the surface layer 11 and the continuum 14a of the back surface layer 14, with the absorption layer 13 and the sub-absorption layer 12 sandwiched therebetween in the thickness direction, are joined (sealed) while being cut into a predetermined shape using the cutting and sealing mechanism 570. In the cutting and sealing step, in a region outside the sub-absorption layer 12 (absorption layer 13), the continuum 11a of the surface layer 11 and the continuum 14a of the back surface layer 14 are joined using a known welding means such as thermal welding or ultrasonic welding, or an adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive. That is, in the region outside the portion surrounded by the broken line representing the sub-absorption layer 12 in the planar state of the pad 1 shown in FIG. 1, the surface layer 11 and the back surface layer 14 are sealed and joined. Then, the belt-like continua 11a, 14a extending in the MD direction are cut along the outer edge (outline) of the pad 1 to cut out individual pads 1.

[0085] Next, a seaming step is performed (S108) in which each pad 1 is bent along the longitudinal direction (MD direction) at the central portion in the width direction (CD direction) using the seaming mechanism 580. As shown in FIG. 3B, the seaming mechanism 580 bends the pad 1 into a triangular shape that bulges on the skin side along the fold line F along the longitudinal direction (MD direction).

[0086] Next, a finger insertion sheet attaching step is performed (S109) in which the finger insertion sheet 15 is attached to the non-skin side of the back surface layer 14 using the finger insertion sheet attaching mechanism 590. As shown in FIG. 3B, the finger insertion sheet 15 is attached to the non-skin side of the back surface layer 14 of the pad 1 bent into a triangular shape.

[0087] Next, a loosening process is performed (S110) to loosen the pad 1 (absorbent article) using the loosening mechanism 595. The loosening mechanism 595 has a plurality of rollers that convey the pad 1 folded in half along the fold line F along the peripheral surface, and by curving the pad 1 along the peripheral surface of the roller to one side and the other side in the thickness direction, the distribution and entanglement bias of the pulp fibers contained in the pad 1 are loosened and made uniform. As a result, the absorbent layer 13 becomes more easily deformed flexibly, and the fit when the pad 1 is worn can be improved. In addition, since the bias of the pulp fibers is corrected, the liquid absorption property and liquid diffusibility are improved.

[0088] After the loosening process is performed, the pad 1 is individually packaged on the downstream side in the MD direction and shipped as an interlabial pad package packed one by one or in plural, and distributed in the market.

[0089] <Formation and Arrangement of Slit 18> Subsequently, details of the method for forming the first slit 18a and the second slit 18b will be described. First, in the first slit forming step (S105), the method for forming the first slit 18a will be described. FIGS. 9A to 9C are diagrams for explaining the configuration of the cutter roll 551 used when forming the first slit 18a. FIG. 9A is a plan view when the cutter roll 551 is viewed from the MD direction. FIG. 9B is a diagram showing the arrangement pattern of a plurality of blades 551c provided on the peripheral surface 551f of the cutter roll 551. FIG. 9C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line D-D in FIG. 9B. Further, FIGS. 10A to 10B are diagrams for explaining the configuration of the anvil roll 552 used when forming the first slit 18a. FIG. 10A is a plan view when the anvil roll 552 is viewed from the MD direction. FIG. 10B is a diagram showing an enlarged view of the region E in FIG. 10A.

[0090] As shown in Fig. 9A, the cutter roll 551 of the first slit forming mechanism 550 is a cylindrical rotating body that rotates about a rotation axis Ar1 along the CD direction, and has a plurality of blades 551c, 551c... protruding radially outward from the circumferential surface 551f of the cylinder. The plurality of blades 551c are arranged in the pattern shown in Fig. 9B, and the pattern in Fig. 9B is intermittently provided at a predetermined pitch along the circumferential direction on the circumferential surface 551f of the cutter roll 551 as shown in Fig. 9A. Each of the plurality of blades 551c is provided so as to be able to form a slit mainly along the CD direction (the width direction of the pad 1). That is, each blade 551c of the cutter roll 551 is provided mainly parallel to the CD direction or inclined by a predetermined angle of 45 degrees or less with respect to the CD direction. With such blades 551c, a plurality of first slits 18a can be formed in the pad 1. However, slits 18 along a part of the MD direction may be formed by the cutter roll 551.

[0091] As shown in Fig. 10A, the anvil roll 552 of the first slit forming mechanism 550 is a cylindrical rotating body that rotates about a rotation axis Ar2 along the CD direction, and is provided so as to face the cutter roll 551 with the pad 1 (base material sheet) interposed therebetween (see Fig. 8). Then, while the anvil roll 552 and the cutter roll 551 are rotating, at the portion where the circumferential surface 552f of the anvil roll 552 contacts the tip of the blade 551c of the cutter roll 551, a slit (cut) corresponding to the shape of the blade 551c is formed in the base material sheet (the absorption layer 13, the sub-absorption layer 12, etc. in this embodiment) sandwiched between the two.

[0092] In addition, a groove 552d that is recessed radially inward is provided in a part of the circumferential surface 552f of the anvil roll 552. In this embodiment, a pair of grooves 552d are provided on both sides of the central position CDCL in the CD direction of the anvil roll 552. Further, the groove 552d is continuously provided along the circumferential direction (the direction corresponding to the MD direction) of the anvil roll 552.

[0093] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the operation of forming the first slit 18a by the cutter roll 551 and the anvil roll 552. In FIG. 11, the positional relationship between the blade 551c of the cutter roll 551 and the groove 552d of the anvil roll 552 when the cutter roll 551 and the anvil roll 552 are aligned and opposed at the central position CDCL in the CD direction is shown.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 11, in the CD direction, on both sides of the central position CDCL, there is a portion where the blade 551c and the groove 552d overlap. For example, in the region F of FIG. 11, the first portion np located at the central portion in the CD direction of the blade 551c of the cutter roll 551 overlaps with the groove 552d of the anvil roll 552. On the other hand, the second portion cp located at both ends in the CD direction of the blade 551c does not overlap with the groove 552d. That is, when the tip of the blade 551c of the cutter roll 551 contacts the peripheral surface 552f of the anvil roll 552, the second portion cp of the blade 551c contacts the peripheral surface 552f, but the first portion np does not contact the peripheral surface 552f.

[0095] In this case, the second portion cp located at both ends in the CD direction of the blade 551c forms the slit 18 by pressing the base material sheet (such as the absorption layer 13) toward the peripheral surface 552f of the anvil roll 552. On the other hand, since the first portion np located at the central portion in the CD direction of the blade 551c presses the base material sheet (such as the absorption layer 13) toward the groove 552d of the anvil roll 552, the slit 18 is not formed. Thereby, in the first slit 18a along the width direction, a slit 18 is formed such that the central portion in the CD direction (width direction) is divided (see the end region SR in FIG. 5).

[0096] In addition, in the anvil roll 552, it is preferable that the boundary between the circumferential surface 552f and the groove 552d is chamfered. In Fig. 10B, at the boundary between the circumferential surface 552f and the groove 552d of the anvil roll 552, the corner portion ch shown in black is chamfered. By providing such a chamfered portion ch, among the blades 551c of the cutter roll 551, at the boundary between the portion overlapping the circumferential surface 552f of the anvil roll 552 in the CD direction (the second portion cp forming the slit 18) and the portion overlapping the groove 552d (the first portion np not forming the slit 18), the way the force is applied when pressed by the blade 551c changes gently. Therefore, compared with the case where there is no chamfered portion ch, it becomes difficult for the base material to adhere to the blade 551c at the end of the slit 18. Also, the chamfering at the boundary between the circumferential surface 552f and the groove 552d may be formed linearly as shown in Fig. 10B, or may be formed curvilinearly. That is, the boundary between the circumferential surface 552f and the groove 552d may have a curved surface shape.

[0097] Subsequently, in the second slit forming step (S106), a method for forming the second slit 18b will be described. Figs. 12A to 12C are diagrams for explaining the configuration of the cutter roll 561 used when forming the second slit 18b. Fig. 12A is a plan view when the cutter roll 561 is viewed from the MD direction. Fig. 12B is a diagram showing the arrangement pattern of a plurality of blades 561c provided on the circumferential surface 561f of the cutter roll 561. Fig. 12C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line G-G in Fig. 12B.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 12A, the cutter roll 561 of the second slit forming mechanism 560 is a cylindrical rotating body that rotates about a rotation axis Ar3 along the CD direction, and has a plurality of blades 561c, 561c... protruding radially outward from the circumferential surface 561f of the cylinder. The plurality of blades 561c are arranged in the pattern shown in FIG. 12B, and the pattern in FIG. 12B is intermittently provided at a predetermined pitch along the circumferential direction on the circumferential surface 561f of the cutter roll 561 as shown in FIG. 12A. Each of the plurality of blades 561c is provided so as to be capable of forming a slit mainly along the MD direction (the front-rear direction of the pad 1). That is, the blades 561c of the cutter roll 561 are provided mainly parallel to the MD direction or inclined by a predetermined angle of less than 45 degrees with respect to the MD direction. With such blades 561c, a plurality of second slits 18b can be formed in the pad 1. However, slits 18 along a part of the CD direction may be formed by the cutter roll 561.

[0099] Further, a circumferential blade 561rc is provided on the circumferential surface 561f of the cutter roll 561 so as to surround the plurality of blades 561c, 561c... along the MD direction. The circumferential blade 561rc is provided in accordance with the shape of the outer edge of the sub-absorbing layer 12 (a substantially elliptical shape shown by the broken line in FIG. 1), and by cutting out the sheet-like sub-absorbing layer 12 laminated in the sub-absorbing layer lamination step (S103) like so-called die-cutting, the sub-absorbing layer 12 is formed into a substantially elliptical shape.

[0100] The anvil roll 562 of the second slit forming mechanism 560 is a cylindrical rotating body that rotates about a rotation axis along the CD direction, and is provided so as to face the cutter roll 561 with the pad 1 (base material sheet) interposed therebetween (see FIG. 8). Note that no depression (groove) corresponding to the groove 552d of the anvil roll 552 (see FIG. 10) is provided on the circumferential surface of the anvil roll 562. Then, while the anvil roll 562 and the cutter roll 561 rotate, at the portion where the circumferential surface of the anvil roll 562 and the tip of the blade 561c of the cutter roll 561 come into contact, a slit (cut) corresponding to the shape of the blade 561c is formed in the base material sheet (the absorption layer 13, the sub-absorption layer 12, etc. in this embodiment) sandwiched between the two. At the same time, at the portion where the circumferential surface of the anvil roll 562 and the tip of the circumferential blade 561rc of the cutter roll 561 come into contact, the base material sheet (absorption layer 13 and sub-absorption layer 12) sandwiched between the two is cut out in a substantially elliptical shape along the shape of the circumferential blade 561rc.

[0101] Note that a part of the blade 561c of the cutter roll 561 of the second slit forming mechanism 560 is arranged at a position overlapping with the groove 552d of the anvil roll 552 of the first slit forming mechanism 550 in the CD direction (see FIG. 12B). Therefore, a part of the second slit 18b formed in the second slit forming step (S106) is formed in a portion where the first slit 18a was not formed in the first slit forming step (S105) (the portion corresponding to the groove 552d of the anvil roll 552). As a result, in the end region SR of the pad 1, as shown in FIG. 5, there is no portion where the first slit 18a and the second slit 18b intersect each other.

[0102] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of a plurality of first slits 18a and a plurality of second slits 18b formed in the region S of FIG. 5. In the front-rear direction of FIG. 13, a second slit 18b1 (referred to as the front second slit) along the front-rear direction is provided on the front side of the central position CL, and on the rear side of the central position CL, a second slit 18b2 (referred to as the rear second slit) along the front-rear direction is provided at a distance from the second slit 18b1.

[0103] In the width direction, a first slit 18a11 (referred to as one-side first slit) and a first slit 18a12 (referred to as the other-side first slit) along the left-right direction are provided so as to be adjacent to both sides of the second slit 18b1. As described with reference to FIG. 11, these first slits 18a11 and 18a2 are slits formed by a certain blade 551c of the cutter roll 551. For example, in the cross-sectional view showing the region F in FIG. 11, the first slit 18a11 (one-side first slit) is formed by the second portion cp on the left side in the CD direction (one side in the width direction) of the blade 551c. Similarly, the first slit 18a12 (the other-side first slit) is formed by the second portion cp on the right side in the CD direction (the other side in the width direction) of the blade 551c. And in the first portion np at the center in the CD direction of the blade 551c in FIG. 11, no slit is formed by pressing the groove 552d of the anvil roll 552. Therefore, no first slit 18a is formed in the region between the other-side end in the width direction of the first slit 18a11 (one-side first slit) and the one-side end in the width direction of the first slit 18a12 (the other-side first slit) in FIG. 13.

[0104] That is, the first slit 18a11 (one-side first slit) and the first slit 18a12 (the other-side first slit) are slits that become discontinuous by being divided at the portion of the groove 552d in the process of being formed by a certain one blade 551c of the cutter roll 551. And since these two slits are formed by one blade 551c, when viewed in the thickness direction, the extension line of the first slit 18a11 and the extension line of the first slit 18a12 overlap (see FIG. 13).

[0105] In addition, first slits 18a31, 18a32, 18a41, 18a42, 18a51 along the left - right direction are provided so as to be adjacent in the width direction of the second slit 18b2 (rear - side second slit). By providing a plurality of first slits 18a and second slits 18b with different directions, when the pad 1 is worn, the absorbent layer 13 etc. is three - dimensionally bent and deformed with the slits 18a, 18b as the bending starting points, making it easier to fit snugly against the unevenness of the wearer's body.

[0106] And in the pad 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 13, in the end regions SR on both sides in the width direction, among the plurality of provided slits 18, 18..., none of the slits 18 intersects with the other slits 18. Specifically, in the end region SR, a first slit 18a along a certain direction (the width direction in FIG. 5) and a second slit 18b along a direction different from the first slit 18a (the front - rear direction in FIG. 5) do not have an intersection point. Thereby, when the pad 1 is worn, it is possible to make it difficult for the wearer to feel discomfort or the like.

[0107] FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the case where the first slit 18a and the second slit 18b have an intersection point. In FIG. 14, for example, the first slit 18a and the second slit 18b are provided in a base material sheet such as the non - skin - side sheet 133, and it shows a state where both intersect at the intersection point ip. When wearing an absorbent article (inter - labial pad) provided with such mutually intersecting slits, there may be a case where the base material sheet rolls up to the skin - side at the intersection point ip of the first slit 18a and the second slit 18b. In particular, in a sanitary product such as an inter - labial pad, if such a roll - up to the skin - side as shown in FIG. 14 occurs at both ends in the width direction (the portion corresponding to the end region SR of the pad 1), which is the portion that contacts the wearer's labia, the rolled - up portion may stimulate the labia and cause discomfort or a sense of strangeness to the wearer.

[0108] In contrast, in the pudendal pad 1 of the present embodiment, at least in the end region SR, neither the plurality of first slits 18a nor the plurality of second slits 18b provided respectively intersect with each other. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14, it is difficult for the slits intersecting with each other to curl up on the skin side. Thus, in the pad 1, in the end region SR, since a plurality of first slits 18a and second slits 18b along different directions are provided, the absorption layer 13 etc. are likely to be three-dimensionally deformed, and the fit is improved. In addition, since each slit 18a, 18b does not intersect with each other, it is possible to suppress the non-skin side sheet 133 etc. constituting the absorption layer 13 from curling up on the skin side, and it is possible to hardly cause discomfort or a sense of incongruity to the wearer.

[0109] Among the plurality of slits 18, 18..., the first slit 18a is provided along the width direction of the pad 1, and the second slit 18b is provided along the front-rear direction of the pad 1. Therefore, starting from the bending points of the slits 18a, 18b, the absorption layer 13 etc. are likely to be bent and deformed in the front-rear direction and the width direction. Thereby, the pad 1 is more likely to be deformed flexibly according to the unevenness of the crotch portion of the wearer, and the fit can be improved.

[0110] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, in the central region CR located at the center in the width direction of the pad 1, there is a portion where the first slit 18a and the second slit 18b intersect. That is, in the central region CR, curling to the skin side may occur at the intersection of the first slit 18a and the second slit 18b. However, the central region CR is the portion that contacts the vaginal orifice of the wearer when the pad 1 is worn. Even if curling occurs to the skin side, since the curling is sandwiched in the groove between the labia, it is less likely to cause a sense of incongruity to the wearer compared to the case of contacting the labia. Conversely, since the absorption layer 13 is likely to be bent and deformed in the central region CR, the fit to the vaginal orifice can be improved.

[0111] Further, the distance between the one-side first slit 18a and the other-side first slit 18a adjacent to both sides in the width direction with the second slit 18b therebetween is shorter than at least the length of either the one-side first slit 18a or the other-side first slit 18a. Here, the distance between the one-side first slit 18a and the other-side first slit 18a refers to the distance between the other-side end of the one-side first slit 18a in the width direction and the one-side end of the other-side first slit 18a in the width direction. For example, in FIG. 13, the distance l2 between the one-side first slit 18a31 adjacent to one side in the width direction of the rear-side second slit 18b2 and the other-side first slit 18a32 adjacent to the other side in the width direction of the rear-side second slit 18b2 is shorter than at least the length l1 of the one-side first slit 18a31 (l1 > l2).

[0112] If the width (l2) of the portion where the slit 18 is not formed between the one-side first slit 18a31 and the other-side first slit 18a32 is longer than the lengths (l1, l3) of the respective slits, in the portion where the slit 18 is not formed, the bending deformation of the absorbent layer 13 is less likely to occur, and the fit may deteriorate. On the other hand, as in the present embodiment, by making the width (l2) of the portion where the slit 18 is not formed shorter than the lengths (l1, l3) of the respective slits, the bending deformation of the absorbent layer 13 is more likely to occur than in the reverse case, and the fit in the end region SR of the pad 1 can be improved.

[0113] Furthermore, it is preferable that the distance between the one-side first slit 18a and the other-side first slit 18a adjacent to both sides in the width direction with the second slit 18b therebetween is shorter than the length of the one-side first slit 18a and shorter than the length of the other-side first slit 18a. In other words, it is preferable that the distance between the one-side first slit 18a and the other-side first slit 18a is shorter than both the one-side first slit 18a and the other-side first slit 18a. Since long slits 18a, 18a that promote deformation are provided on both sides of the region where the slit 18 is not formed and the absorbent layer 13 and the like are less likely to be deformed, deformation is likely to occur in a wide range of the end region SR, and the fit is further improved.

[0114] Also, the distance between one-side first slit 18a and the other-side first slit 18a adjacent to both sides in the width direction with the second slit 18b therebetween is preferably longer than the average fiber length of the fibers included in the absorbent core 132. FIGS. 15A and 15B are diagrams for explaining the influence of the fiber length when forming the first slit 18a. FIG. 15A shows the case where the average fiber length is longer than the distance between the one-side first slit 18a and the other-side first slit 18a. FIG. 15B shows the case where the average fiber length is shorter than the distance between the one-side first slit 18a and the other-side first slit 18a.

[0115] When the average fiber length is longer than the distance between the one-side first slit 18a and the other-side first slit 18a, when forming the first slit 18a in the first slit forming step (S105), the fibers may be arranged so as to straddle the entire groove 552d of the anvil roll 552 as shown in FIG. 15A. In this case, among the blades 551c of the cutter roll 551, the second portions cp, cp at both ends in the CD direction (width direction) cut the fibers when pressing the peripheral surface 552f of the anvil roll 552. When the fibers are cut, the fibers are densified and the rigidity increases around the cut portion, and the flexibility of the absorbent core 132 may deteriorate.

[0116] On the other hand, when the average fiber length is shorter than the distance between the one-side first slit 18a and the other-side first slit 18a, the fibers may be arranged between the grooves 552d of the anvil roll 552 as shown in FIG. 15B. In this case, among the blades 551c of the cutter roll 551, the first portion np at the center in the CD direction (width direction) presses the groove 552d of the anvil roll 552, so the fibers are difficult to be cut. Therefore, the portion where the fibers are densified around the cut portion is reduced, and the flexibility of the absorbent core 132 is less likely to deteriorate. Thus, if the distance between the one-side first slit 18a and the other-side first slit 18a is longer than the average fiber length of the fibers, the probability of the fibers being cut by the cutter roll 551c is reduced, and it is easy to ensure the flexibility of the absorbent core 132.

[0117] Further, between the one-side first slit 18a and the other-side first slit 18a adjacent to both sides in the width direction with the second slit 18b interposed therebetween, a portion where the absorbent core 132 protrudes toward the skin side in the thickness direction is formed. For example, in FIG. 13, in the region between the one-side first slit 18a31 and the other-side first slit 18a32 (the region overlapping with the groove 552d), a part of the absorbent core 132 protrudes toward the skin side. This is because in the first slit forming step (S105), the absorbent core 132 (base material) is pressed from the non-skin side toward the skin side (the groove 552d of the anvil roll 552) by the blade 551c of the cutter roll 551 (see FIG. 11 etc.). And since the fibers constituting the absorbent core 132 have a portion protruding toward the skin side without being cut, in this portion, it is difficult for the absorbent core 132 to be densified and the flexibility is maintained, and it becomes easy to contact the labia. Thereby, it becomes easy to realize good wearing comfort.

[0118] Also, the second slit 18b has a discontinuous portion in the front-rear direction. In FIG. 13, the front-side second slit 18b1 and the rear-side second slit 18b2 are provided at a distance from each other in the front-rear direction, and the portion between both slits 18b1, 18b2 is discontinuous. In the pad 1, the second slit 18b along the front-rear direction has a function of guiding the absorbent layer 13 to bend and deform in the width direction, and a function of diffusing the excreted liquid such as menstrual blood absorbed in the front-rear direction of the absorbent layer 13. If the front-side second slit 18b1 and the rear-side second slit 18b2 were a single long continuous slit 18 in the front-rear direction, a long fold would be easily formed in the front-rear direction by the long slit extending in the front-rear direction, and it might be difficult to fit the complicated unevenness of the body shape. Also, it becomes difficult to control the diffusion of the absorbed excreted liquid in the front-rear direction, and there is a possibility that the water retention performance of the entire absorbent layer 13 cannot be sufficiently exhibited, such as the excreted liquid concentrating only on one side in the front-rear direction. On the other hand, by providing a discontinuous portion in the second slit 18b, it becomes easy to control the bending deformation of the absorbent layer 13 and the diffusion of the excreted liquid, and it is easy to achieve both good fit and liquid absorbency.

[0119] Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the length of the front second slit 18b1 in the front-rear direction is shorter than the length of the rear second slit 18b2 in the front-rear direction. As described above, the second slit 18b has a function of diffusing excreted fluid such as menstrual blood in the front-rear direction of the absorption layer 13. When the pad 1 is worn, since the wearer's excretory opening (vagina) is likely to be located on the front side of the central position CL in the front-rear direction, the amount of excreted fluid absorbed in the front region in the front-rear direction of the pad 1 increases. Therefore, by making the rear second slit 18b2 longer, it becomes easier to diffuse the excreted fluid to the rear side in the front-rear direction of the absorption layer 13, suppressing the retention of the excreted fluid on the front side in the front-rear direction, and making it easier to hold the excreted fluid in a wide range of the absorption layer 13.

[0120] In addition, when the second slit 18b is discontinuous in the front-rear direction, the first slit 18a along the width direction may be arranged at the discontinuous portion. In FIG. 13, in the front-rear direction, the first slits 18a21 and 18a22 are provided at the discontinuous portion between the front second slit 18b1 and the rear second slit 18b2. By providing the first slit 18a along the width direction, it becomes easier to limit the movement (diffusion) of the excreted fluid in the front-rear direction across the discontinuous portion between the front second slit 18b1 and the rear second slit 18b2 in the end region SR. Thereby, it becomes easier to control the liquid diffusion in the absorption layer 13.

[0121] Further, in FIG. 13, the first slits 18a21 and 18a22 provided at the discontinuous portion between the front second slit 18b1 and the rear second slit 18b2 are arranged in the central region when the pad 1 is divided into three equal parts in the front-rear direction. Since this central region in the front-rear direction is the region located under the wearer's crotch when the pad 1 is worn, by providing the first slits 18a21 and 18a22 along the width direction in this region, the pad 1 (absorption layer 13) is likely to bend forward and backward in the central region, and it becomes easier to fit along the wearer's crotch.

[0122] Also, in the pad 1, the number of the first slits 18a arranged adjacent to each other in the width direction of the rear second slit 18b2 is larger than the number of the first slits 18a arranged adjacent to each other in the width direction of the front second slit 18b1. Here, the first slits 18a arranged adjacent to each other in the width direction of the second slit 18b refer to the first slits 18a formed so as to be divided in the width direction by the blade 551c of the cutter roll 551 and the groove 552d of the anvil roll 552 in the first slit forming step (S105) (see FIG. 11), and at least a part of which is arranged at a position overlapping with the second slit 18b in the front-rear direction.

[0123] In FIG. 13, two first slits 18a11 and 18a12 are provided adjacent to the front second slit 18b1. On the other hand, five first slits 18a31, 18a32, 18a41, 18a42, and 18a51 are provided adjacent to the rear second slit 18b2. Since a larger number of slits 18 (18a) are provided in the region on the rear side of the central position CL in the front-rear direction, the region on the rear side of the absorption layer 13 is more likely to undergo three-dimensional deformation. Therefore, when the pad 1 is worn, the absorption layer 13 is likely to undergo three-dimensional deformation according to large unevenness such as the buttocks on the rear side (back side) of the body, and the fit can be improved.

[0124] Also, the length of each second slit 18b in the front-rear direction provided in the central region CR of the pad 1 is shorter than the length of each second slit 18b in the front-rear direction provided in the end region SR (see FIG. 5). When the pad 1 is worn, the central region CR is the region that abuts against the wearer's excretory opening, and the amount of excretory fluid such as menstrual blood absorbed increases. Therefore, it is possible to more efficiently absorb and hold the excretory fluid in a wide range of the absorption layer 13 by diffusing the excretory fluid absorbed in the central region CR in the width direction from the central region CR to the end region SR rather than diffusing it in the front-rear direction within the central region CR. Accordingly, in the central region CR of the pad 1, the liquid diffusion in the front-rear direction is restricted by not making the length of the second slit 18b in the front-rear direction excessively long. On the other hand, in the end region SR, the liquid diffusion in the front-rear direction is promoted by making the length of the second slit 18b in the front-rear direction long. Thereby, it is possible to easily diffuse the excretory fluid over a wide range of the absorption layer 13.

[0125] Further, at least a part of the plurality of first slits 18a arranged in the end region SR is arranged to be inclined by a predetermined angle with respect to the width direction (CD direction). For example, in the front region in the front-rear direction of FIG. 13, the first slits 18a11 to 18a22 are arranged to be inclined from one side in the width direction to the other side and from the rear side to the front side in the front-rear direction. Since the first slit 18a is arranged obliquely, when the pad 1 is worn, it is easy to cause a bending deformation along the obliquely arranged first slit 18a. As a result, the absorption layer 13 is easily deformed three-dimensionally and is easily fitted to the unevenness of the body.

[0126] Furthermore, the plurality of first slits 18a arranged in the end region SR are arranged such that the inclination angles with respect to the width direction are reversed on the front side and the rear side of the central position CL in the front-rear direction. For example, in FIG. 13, the first slit 18a11 arranged on the front side in the front-rear direction and the first slit 18a41 arranged on the rear side in the front-rear direction have opposite inclinations with respect to the width direction. Thereby, when the pad 1 is worn, the bending deformation of the absorption layer 13 is reversed between the front side (ventral side) and the rear side (dorsal side) of the wearer's body, and the fitness can be improved on the ventral side and the dorsal side, respectively.

[0127] Also, as described above, in the pad 1 of the present embodiment, the absorbent core 132 of the absorption layer 13 is mainly formed of hardwood pulp, and the sub-absorption layer 12 laminated on the skin side of the absorption layer 13 is formed to contain softwood pulp. Therefore, the fibers constituting the absorbent core 132 have a shorter average fiber length and a thinner average fiber diameter than the fibers constituting the sub-absorption layer 12. Therefore, the absorbent core 132 is likely to have dense fibers and a high density, and the sub-absorption layer 12 is less likely to have a high density compared to the absorbent core 132. With such a configuration, since the density of the sub-absorption layer 12 located near the wearer's skin when the pad 1 is worn is less likely to increase, the skin contact can be made soft.

[0128] Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the absorbent core 132 has a portion where the thickness is thinner and the basis weight is lower at the central portion in the width direction than at both ends. That is, the average basis weight in the central region CR of the absorbent core 132 is smaller than the average basis weight in the end region SR. Thereby, the absorbent core 132 is likely to bend along the fold line F (bending line) at the central portion (central C-C) in the width direction, and it is easy to maintain a mountain shape in which the central C-C is convex toward the skin side as shown in FIG. 3A. Therefore, the fitness to the vaginal orifice during wearing can be improved.

[0129] Then, as shown in FIG. 5, in the end region SR where the basis weight of the absorbent core 132 is large, the plurality of slits 18a and 18b do not intersect each other, and in the central region CR where the basis weight of the absorbent core 132 is small, the plurality of slits 18a and 18b have a portion where they intersect each other. As described above, since the end region SR is the portion that contacts the wearer's labia minora when the pad 1 is worn, by preventing the slits 18a and 18b from intersecting, it is difficult to cause curling. On the other hand, since the central region CR is the portion located between the wearer's labia minora when the pad 1 is worn, even if the slits 18a and 18b intersect and curling occurs, it is difficult to cause discomfort to the wearer. Further, since the basis weight of the absorbent core 132 is small in the central region CR, combined with the fact that the slits 18a and 18 intersect, the central region CR is more easily deformed flexibly, and the fit to the vaginal orifice during wearing is further improved.

[0130] ===Other Embodiments=== As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been explained. However, the above embodiments are for facilitating the understanding of the present invention and are not for limiting and interpreting the present invention. Further, the present invention can be changed and improved without departing from its gist, and it goes without saying that equivalents of the present invention are included therein.

[0131] In the above embodiment, it has been explained that the absorbent core 132 of the absorbent layer 13 is composed of short fibers having an average fiber length of about 0.8 mm. Conventionally, when it is desired to finely pulverize pulp to shorten the fiber length, it has generally been practiced to add a softening agent (debonder) such as a quaternary ammonium surfactant to the pulp sheet before pulverization to make the pulp easier to pulverize (so-called treated pulp). However, when using a softening agent (debonder), there is a risk that water absorption may be easily inhibited.

[0132] Therefore, the water-absorbent fibers constituting the absorbent core 132 of the pad 1 are preferably configured without containing a softening agent (debonder). This suppresses a decrease in the water retention performance of the absorbent core 132. In the above-described embodiment, since the absorbent core 132 is formed using hardwood pulp, it is possible to achieve an average fiber length of about 0.8 mm without using a softening agent (debonder), and an absorbent core 132 excellent in water absorbency and flexibility can be realized.

[0133] In the above-described embodiment, the pad 1 having a configuration in which the absorption layer 13 is disposed on the non-skin side rather than the sub-absorption layer 12 has been described (see FIG. 2 and the like), but these arrangements may be reversed in the thickness direction. For example, a configuration in which the sub-absorption layer 12 is disposed on the non-skin side in the thickness direction of the absorption layer 13 may be employed. Further, the pad 1 may be configured to include only the absorption layer 13 without the sub-absorption layer 12 being provided.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0134] 1 Interlabial pad (pad, absorbent article), 11 Surface layer, 11a Continuum, 12 Sub-absorption layer, 13 Absorption layer, 131 Skin-side sheet, 131a Continuum, 132 Absorbent core, 133 Non-skin side sheet, 133a Continuum, 14 Back surface layer, 14a Continuum, 15 Finger insertion sheet, 15de Finger insertion sheet non-junction part, 16 Finger insertion sheet junction part, 17 Back surface layer junction part, 18 Slit, 18a First slit, 18a11,18a21,18a31,18a41,18a51 One-side first slit, 18a12,18a22,18a32,18a42 The other-side first slit, 18b Second slit, 18b1 Front-side second slit, 18b2 Rear-side second slit, 19 Squeezing section, 20 Finger insertion section, 500 Manufacturing device, 510 Conveying mechanism, 520 Absorbent core laminating mechanism, 521 Defibrator, 522 Material supply section, 523 Rotating drum, 523r Concave portion, 530 Sub-absorbent layer laminating mechanism, 531 Defibrator, 540 Reversing mechanism, 550 First slit forming mechanism, 551 Cutter roll, 551f Peripheral surface, 551c Blade, 552 Anvil roll, 552f Peripheral surface, 552d Groove, 560 Second slit forming mechanism, 561 Cutter roll, 561f Peripheral surface, 561c Blade, 561rc Annular blade, 562 Anvil roll, 570 Cutting and sealing mechanism, 580 Seler mechanism, 590 Finger insertion sheet attachment mechanism, 595 Loosening mechanism, F Fold line (bending line), PS1 Pulp sheet, PS2 Pulp sheet, CR Central region, SR End region

Claims

1. having a front-back direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction that intersect each other, a labial pad having an absorbent core and a non-skin-side sheet provided on the non-skin side in the thickness direction with respect to the absorbent core, wherein the non-skin-side sheet has a plurality of slits in end regions located on both sides when the labial pad is trisected in the width direction, the plurality of slits having a first slit along a first direction and a second slit along a direction different from the first direction, and any one of the plurality of slits not intersecting with other slits, a labial pad characterized by this.

2. The labial pad according to claim 1, wherein the first slit is a slit along the width direction, and the second slit is a slit along the front-back direction, a labial pad characterized by this.

3. The labial pad according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in a central region located at the center when the labial pad is trisected in the width direction, there are a plurality of the first slits and the second slits respectively along a direction different from the first direction, and in the central region, having a portion where the first slit and the second slit intersect, a labial pad characterized by this.

4. The labial pad according to claim 2, wherein the first slit has a first one-side slit adjacent to one side of the second slit and a first other-side slit adjacent to the other side of the second slit in the width direction, when viewed in the thickness direction, an extension line of the first one-side slit and an extension line of the first other-side slit overlapping, and a distance between the first one-side slit and the first other-side slit being shorter than at least the length of either the first one-side slit or the first other-side slit, a labial pad characterized by this.

5. The labial pad according to claim 4, wherein the distance between the first one-side slit and the first other-side slit is shorter than the length of the first one-side slit and shorter than the length of the first other-side slit, a labial pad characterized by this.

6. The labial pad according to claim 4, wherein the distance between the first one-side slit and the first other-side slit is longer than an average fiber length of fibers contained in the absorbent core, a labial pad characterized by this.

7. The interlabial pad according to claim 4, wherein the absorbent core has, in the width direction, a portion that protrudes toward the skin side in the thickness direction between the other end of the one-sided first slit and the one end of the other-sided first slit. The interlabial pad is characterized by this.

8. The interlabial pad according to claim 2, wherein the second slit has a discontinuous portion in the front-rear direction. The interlabial pad is characterized by this.

9. The interlabial pad according to claim 8, wherein the second slit has a front-side second slit disposed anterior to the central position of the absorbent core in the front-rear direction and a rear-side second slit disposed posterior to the central position, and the length of the front-side second slit in the front-rear direction is shorter than the length of the rear-side second slit in the front-rear direction. The interlabial pad is characterized by this.

10. The interlabial pad according to claim 9, wherein the number of the first slits disposed adjacent to both sides in the width direction of the front-side second slit is less than the number of the first slits disposed adjacent to both sides in the width direction of the rear-side second slit. The interlabial pad is characterized by this.

11. The interlabial pad according to claim 2, wherein the length of the second slit provided in the central region located at the center when the interlabial pad is trisected in the width direction in the front-rear direction is shorter than the length of the second slit provided in the end region in the front-rear direction. The interlabial pad is characterized by this.

12. The interlabial pad according to claim 2, wherein in the end region, at least a part of the plurality of the first slits is disposed at an inclination by a predetermined angle with respect to the width direction. The interlabial pad is characterized by this.

13. The interlabial pad according to claim 12, wherein the first slits are disposed such that the inclination angles with respect to the width direction are opposite on the front side and the rear side of the central position of the absorbent core in the front-rear direction. The interlabial pad is characterized by this.

14. The interlabial pad according to claim 1 or 2, wherein it has a surface layer that can come into contact with the skin of the wearer, has a sub-absorbent layer between the surface layer and the absorbent core, and the absorbent core has a shorter average fiber length and a thinner average fiber diameter than the sub-absorbent layer. The interlabial pad is characterized by this.

15. The interlabial pad according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the average basis weight of the absorbent core in the central region located at the center when the interlabial pad is trisected in the width direction is less than the average basis weight of the absorbent core in the end region, and the interlabial pad is characterized by this.

16. The interlabial pad according to claim 15, wherein in the end region of the absorbent core where the average basis weight is large, the slits intersecting each other are not provided, in the central region of the absorbent core where the average basis weight is small, the slits intersecting each other are provided, and the interlabial pad is characterized by this.

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