Underpants type absorbent article

Abstract

To provide an underpants type absorbent article which enables a user to grab a girth part and to easily pull it up when putting it on, and in which the girth part is unlikely to be broken when pulled up.SOLUTION: An underpants type absorbent article 1 includes an abdominal side exterior body 4F. The abdominal side exterior body 4F has an intermediate area 7, a first stretchable area 6 on a waist opening WH side of the intermediate area 7, and a second stretchable area 8 on a leg opening side of the intermediate area 7. The first stretchable area 6 and the second stretchable area 8 include elastic members fixed on a sheet material surface composing the abdominal side exterior body 4F. The intermediate area 7 is an area where no elastic member is disposed. The first stretchable area 6 and the second stretchable area 8 have stress smaller in order of the first stretchable area 6 and the second stretchable area 8; the intermediate area 7 is non-elastic or lower in elasticity than the second stretchable area 8.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pants-type absorbent article such as a pants-type disposable diaper.

Background Art

[0002] A pants-type disposable diaper typically includes an absorbent core that absorbs and retains body fluids, and an outer wrapper disposed on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent core. A side region of a portion (ventral outer wrapper) disposed on the ventral side of the wearer in the outer wrapper and a side region of a portion (dorsal outer wrapper) disposed on the dorsal side of the wearer in the outer wrapper are joined to form a pair of side seal portions, and an annular body circumference portion, a waist opening, and a pair of leg openings are formed and arranged around the wearer's body. In the ventral outer wrapper and the dorsal outer wrapper, a plurality of filamentous elastic members arranged to be stretchable in the lateral direction are intermittently arranged in the longitudinal direction in order to enhance the fitness to the wearer's body, and the entire body circumference portion has elasticity in the body circumference direction.

[0003] For the purpose of further enhancing the fitness by the ventral outer wrapper and the dorsal outer wrapper, techniques for adjusting the number of sheet materials constituting these outer wrappers, or adjusting the arrangement position or elasticity of the elastic members are known (see Patent Documents 1 to 3).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Incidentally, when the wearer himself / herself wears a pant-type disposable diaper, usually, with both feet of the wearer passed through a pair of leg openings in the diaper, the opening edge or the vicinity thereof of the waist opening of the diaper is grasped by hooking it with the fingertips from the inner surface (skin-facing surface) side, and pulled toward the crotch side of the wearer. When a third party, rather than the wearer, puts on the pant-type disposable diaper, for example, when a mother or a caregiver puts on the diaper on an infant or a care recipient, usually, an operation substantially the same as the above is performed except that it is carried out by a third party rather than the wearer.

[0006] In order for such a series of operations when wearing a pant-type disposable diaper to be performed smoothly, it is important that the opening edge or the vicinity thereof of the waist opening can be easily grasped with the fingers. For this purpose, it is conceivable to provide a non-stretchable gripping area at the opening edge or the vicinity thereof of the waist opening. However, in that case, there is a risk that the gripping area may be accidentally torn when a finger is placed on it.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention relates to providing a pant-type absorbent article that achieves both easy gripping during wearing and prevention of tearing.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The present invention includes an absorbent body and an exterior body disposed on the non-skin-facing surface side of the absorbent body. The exterior body includes a ventral exterior body disposed on the ventral side of the wearer and a dorsal exterior body disposed on the dorsal side of the wearer. It has a longitudinal direction extending from the ventral exterior body toward the dorsal exterior body and a transverse direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. It is a pant-type absorbent article in which a side region of the ventral exterior body and a side region of the dorsal exterior body are joined to form a waist opening and a pair of leg openings. In one embodiment of the pant-type absorbent article of the present invention, the ventral exterior body preferably includes a plurality of sheet materials and a plurality of elastic members extending in the transverse direction and fixed to the sheet materials, and has elasticity along the transverse direction. In one embodiment of the pant-type absorbent article of the present invention, among all the elastic members included in the ventral exterior body, the distance between the elastic members adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction is the widest between the elastic members, and the ventral exterior body has an intermediate region extending in the transverse direction. Preferably, a first stretchable region is provided between the side end of the waist opening of the intermediate region and the end of the waist opening, and a second stretchable region is provided between the side end of the leg opening of the intermediate region and the lower end of the side seal. In one embodiment of the pant-type absorbent article of the present invention, both the first stretchable region and the second stretchable region include elastic members fixed to the surface of the sheet material constituting the ventral exterior body and the dorsal exterior body and stretchable in the transverse direction, and preferably, the intermediate region is a region where the elastic members are not arranged. In one embodiment of the pant-type absorbent article of the present invention, both the first stretchable region and the second stretchable region include elastic members fixed to the surface of the sheet material constituting the ventral exterior body and the dorsal exterior body and stretchable in the transverse direction, and preferably, the intermediate region is a region where the elastic members are not arranged. In one embodiment of the pant-type absorbent article of the present invention, the stress of the first stretchable region and the second stretchable region decreases in this order, and preferably, the intermediate region is non-stretchable or has lower stretchability than the second stretchable region. In one embodiment of the pant-type absorbent article of the present invention, the intermediate region preferably has an upper intermediate region located on the waist opening side and a lower intermediate region located on the leg opening side. In one embodiment of the pant-type absorbent article of the present invention, the number of sheets of the sheet material (excluding the sheet material located on the outermost surface of the ventral exterior body and having a free end region in a non-bonded state) constituting the upper intermediate region is preferably less than the number of sheets of the sheet material (excluding the sheet material located on the outermost surface of the ventral exterior body and having a free end region in a non-bonded state) constituting the lower intermediate region. In one embodiment of the pant-type absorbent article of the present invention, it is preferable that the upper intermediate region has the smallest number of sheets of the sheet material (excluding the sheet material located on the outermost surface of the ventral exterior body and having a free end region in a non-bonded state) among the ventral exterior bodies.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, there is provided a pant-type absorbent article that is easy to grasp and pull up the body circumference portion during wearing, and the body circumference portion is less likely to tear during the pulling-up operation.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] In FIGS. 1 to 4, a pant-type disposable diaper 1, which is an embodiment of the pant-type absorbent article of the present invention, is shown. The diaper 1 includes an absorbent core 24 and an exterior body 4 disposed on the non-skin-facing surface side of the absorbent core 24.

[0012] In this specification, the "skin-facing surface" refers to the surface of an absorbent article or its component member (e.g., an absorber) that faces the wearer's skin when the absorbent article is worn, that is, the side relatively closer to the wearer's skin. The "non-skin-facing surface" refers to the surface of the absorbent article or its component member that faces the side opposite to the skin side when the absorbent article is worn, that is, the side relatively farther from the wearer's skin. In this specification, "when worn" means a normal proper wearing position, that is, a state in which the correct wearing position of the absorbent article is maintained.

[0013] The outer cover 4 includes a ventral outer cover 4F disposed on the ventral side of the wearer and a dorsal outer cover 4R disposed on the dorsal side of the wearer. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the outer cover 4 further includes an undercrotch outer cover 4M located between the ventral outer cover 4F and the dorsal outer cover 4R, in addition to the ventral outer cover 4F and the dorsal outer cover 4R, and these three outer covers 4F, 4M, 4R are integrated. The outer cover 4 of the present embodiment is continuous over the entire length in the longitudinal direction X of the diaper 1.

[0014] The diaper 1 has a longitudinal direction X extending from the ventral outer cover 4F toward the dorsal outer cover 4R and a lateral direction Y orthogonal to the longitudinal direction X in its deployed and maximum extended state. The longitudinal direction X corresponds to the direction extending from the ventral side of the wearer through the crotch portion to the dorsal side. The lateral direction Y corresponds to the direction around the wearer's torso.

[0015] In the diaper 1, the side region of the ventral outer cover 4F and the side region of the dorsal outer cover 4R are joined to form an annular torso portion 5 disposed around the wearer's torso, as well as a waist opening WH and a pair of leg openings LH, LH. Specifically, the diaper 1 has a pair of side seal portions S, S that are joints between a pair of side regions along the longitudinal direction X of the ventral outer cover 4F and a pair of side regions along the longitudinal direction X of the dorsal outer cover 4R. The joining form of the ventral outer cover 4F and the dorsal outer cover 4R in the side seal portion S is not particularly limited, and examples include fusion by heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, etc.; adhesion by an adhesive.

[0016] The waist circumference portion 5 is an area in the diaper 1 that is in the same position as the side seal portion S in the longitudinal direction X, and includes a pair of side seal portions S, S and the area sandwiched between the pair of side seal portions S, S. Further, in the outer cover 4, the portion constituting the waist circumference portion 5 of the ventral side portion F is the ventral outer cover 4F, the portion constituting the waist circumference portion 5 of the dorsal side portion R is the dorsal outer cover 4R, and the rest is the crotch outer cover 4M.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the diaper 1 of the present embodiment has a ventral side portion F disposed on the ventral side of the wearer when worn, a dorsal side portion R disposed on the dorsal side of the wearer, and a crotch portion M located between the ventral side portion F and the dorsal side portion R. The crotch portion M extends in the longitudinal direction X across the longitudinal center line CLx of the diaper 1. The longitudinal center line CLx is a virtual straight line that bisects the diaper 1 in the longitudinal direction X in the deployed and maximum extended state as shown in FIG. 3 and extends in the transverse direction Y. The crotch portion M includes an excretion portion facing portion (not shown) that faces the excretion portion such as the penis of the wearer, and typically includes the portion where the length in the transverse direction Y is the shortest in the diaper 1. The ventral side portion F, the crotch portion M, and the dorsal side portion R can be the respective regions when the absorbent article in the deployed and maximum extended state is trisected in the longitudinal direction X.

[0018] In this specification, the "deployed and maximum extended state" means a state in which the absorbent article is separated at the side seal portion to be in a deployed state, and the elastic member provided in the absorbent article is extended until the dimensions in the plan view of the members other than the elastic member become the design dimensions, that is, until the influence of the elastic member is completely eliminated, and the absorbent article is spread out flat.

[0019] The diaper 1 of the present embodiment is symmetrically formed on one side and the other side with the transverse center line CLy interposed therebetween. The transverse center line CLy is a virtual straight line that bisects the diaper 1 in the transverse direction Y in the deployed and maximum extended state and extends in the longitudinal direction X.

[0020] The diaper 1 of the present embodiment has an absorbent body 2 including an absorbent core 24. The outer cover 4 is fixed to the non-skin facing surface of the absorbent body 2 by known joining means such as an adhesive. As shown in FIG. 3, the absorbent body 2 has a shape that is long in one direction in plan view, specifically a rectangular shape. Its longitudinal direction is made to coincide with the longitudinal direction X of the diaper 1, and it is disposed at the center in the lateral direction Y of the outer wrapper 4, extending in the longitudinal direction X from the ventral side portion F through the crotch portion M to the dorsal side portion R. The absorbent body 2 includes a liquid-permeable surface sheet 21 disposed at a position relatively close to the wearer's skin, a liquid-impermeable back sheet 22 disposed at a position relatively far from the wearer's skin, and an absorber 23 interposed between both sheets 21 and 22. The absorber 23 includes an absorbent core 24 capable of absorbing and holding body fluids, a liquid-permeable skin-side core wrap sheet 25 covering the skin-facing surface of the absorbent core 24, and a liquid-permeable non-skin-side core wrap sheet 26 covering the non-skin-facing surface of the absorbent core 24. These members constituting the absorbent body 2 are integrated by known joining means such as an adhesive.

[0021] As the constituent members of the absorbent body 2, those commonly used in this type of absorbent article can be used without particular limitation. Examples of the surface sheet 21 include various non-woven fabrics and perforated films. Examples of the back sheet 22 include a resin film and a laminate of a resin film and a non-woven fabric. The absorbent core 24 is mainly composed of a water-absorbing material. Examples of the water-absorbing material include fiber materials such as wood pulp and water-absorbing polymers, and one or more of these can be used. Examples of the core wrap sheets 25 and 26 include paper and non-woven fabric. In this embodiment, both the skin-facing surface and the non-skin-facing surface of the absorbent core 24 are covered by two core wrap sheets 25 and 26, but this may also be done with a single core wrap sheet. Also, the core wrap sheets 25 and 26 may be omitted, that is, the absorber 23 may be composed only of the absorbent core 24.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3, a pair of leak - proof cuffs 3, 3 that stand up on the wearer's skin side when the diaper 1 is worn are provided on both sides along the longitudinal direction X on the skin - facing surface of the absorbent body 2. The leak - proof cuff 3 includes a liquid - impermeable cuff sheet that forms the main body of the leak - proof cuff 3 and a filament - like elastic member for the cuff fixed to the cuff sheet. The cuff sheet has a strip - like shape extending in the longitudinal direction X in plan view, and is fixed to other members (such as the surface sheet 21, the outer package 4, etc.) such that the inner edge portion extending in the longitudinal direction X near the horizontal center line CLy becomes a free edge portion. The elastic member for the cuff is fixed in an extended state in the longitudinal direction X at the free edge portion of the cuff sheet. When the diaper 1 is worn, due to the contraction of the elastic member for the cuff, at least in the crotch portion M, the cuff sheet stands up with the fixed portion to other members as the standing base end so that the free edge portion of the leak - proof cuff approaches the wearer's body. Thus, when the pair of leak - proof cuffs 3, 3 stand up, the lateral outward flow of excreta such as urine is blocked.

[0023] The outer package 4 (including the ventral outer package 4F, the crotch outer package 4M, and the dorsal outer package 4R. The same shall apply hereinafter unless otherwise specified) includes an outer layer sheet 41 that forms the outer surface of the diaper 1, an inner layer sheet 42 that forms the inner surface of the diaper 1, filament - like waist - around elastic members 45a, 45b, and a filament - like leg - around elastic member 46. The two sheets 41, 42 are joined and integrated with each other by an adhesive. In FIG. 4, the region 40 marked with a dot pattern indicates the adhesive region. The adhesive region 40 includes a plurality of members laminated in the thickness direction Z of the diaper 1 and an adhesive such as a hot - melt adhesive, and the plurality of members are joined by the adhesive. Specifically, for example, in the adhesive region 40 including the outer layer sheet 41, the inner layer sheet 42, and the waist - around elastic member 45b disposed between the two sheets 41, 42, these plurality of members are joined by the adhesive.

[0024] In this embodiment, the outer layer sheet 41 has a longer length in the longitudinal direction X than the inner layer sheet 42 and has an extending portion that extends outward in the longitudinal direction X from one end of the inner layer sheet 42 in the longitudinal direction X. The extending portion of the outer layer sheet 41 is folded back to the skin-facing surface side of the inner layer sheet 42 to form a folded-back portion 41F. The folded-back portion 41F forms a first stretchable region 6 of the body circumference portion 5 that defines the waist opening WH. In the first stretchable region 6, there is a two-layer structure portion of the outer layer sheet 41 composed of the folded-back portion 41F and the outer layer sheet 41 disposed opposite thereto.

[0025] As the outer layer sheet 41 and the inner layer sheet 42, those used as the sheet materials constituting the exterior body in this type of absorbent article can be used without particular limitation. For example, non-woven fabrics produced by various manufacturing methods can be used. Both sheets 41 and 42 may be stretchable sheets having elasticity in the lateral direction Y or non-stretchable sheets having no elasticity. As an example of a stretchable sheet, a "stretchable sheet formed by joining a number of elastic filaments arranged to extend in one direction without intersecting each other to a stretchable non-woven fabric containing non-elastic fibers in a substantially non-extended state" (hereinafter also referred to as "specific stretchable sheet") described in JP-A-2009-61743 can be exemplified. For example, the outer layer sheet 41 can be the specific stretchable sheet and the inner layer sheet 42 can be a non-stretchable sheet. In this embodiment, both sheets 41 and 42 have no elasticity.

[0026] A plurality of waist circumference elastic members 45a and 45b are arranged on the waist circumference portion 5 (ventral outer wrapper 4F and dorsal outer wrapper 4R). The plurality of waist circumference elastic members 45a and 45b extend in the lateral direction Y between the inner edge of one side seal portion S and the inner edge of the other side seal portion S, and are intermittently arranged in the longitudinal direction X. The waist circumference elastic members 45a and 45b are fixed in a state of being stretched in the lateral direction Y on at least one surface of the outer layer sheet 41 and the inner layer sheet 42, which are sheet materials constituting the waist circumference portion 5. They have elastic stretchability in the lateral direction Y and are contracted in the natural state (a state where no external force is applied). In the worn state of the diaper 1, due to the contraction of the waist circumference elastic members 45a and 45b, a plurality of folds (gathers) extending in a direction intersecting the extending direction (lateral direction Y) of the waist circumference elastic members 45a and 45b are formed on the surfaces (skin-facing surface and non-skin-facing surface) of the waist circumference portion 5.

[0027] Except for the arrangement region of the absorbent core 24 (the region overlapping the projection of the absorbent core 24 in the thickness direction in the waist circumference portion 5), the waist circumference portion 5 has stretchability in the lateral direction Y due to the elastic stretchability of the waist circumference elastic members 45a and 45b. In the arrangement region of the absorbent core 24 in the waist circumference portion 5, the waist circumference elastic member 45b is processed so that its elastic stretchability does not appear, such as being segmented.

[0028] The leg circumference elastic member 46 is arranged so as to surround the opening edge portions of the pair of leg openings LH and LH. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the leg circumference elastic member 46 extends from the inner end portions in the longitudinal direction X of the ventral outer wrapper 4F and the dorsal outer wrapper 4R (the end portions in the longitudinal direction X near the longitudinal center line CLx) to the vicinity of the longitudinal center line CLx, and is arranged along the side edge of the crotch outer wrapper 4M. The leg circumference elastic member 46 is fixed in a state of being stretched on the sheet material (such as the outer layer sheet 41 and the inner layer sheet 42) constituting its arrangement site, and is contracted in the natural state. In the worn state of the diaper 1, due to the contraction of the leg circumference elastic member 46, a plurality of folds (leg gathers) are formed on the entire circumference of the opening edge portion of the leg opening LH.

[0029] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the diaper 1 of this embodiment includes an auxiliary sheet 43 that forms the skin-facing surface of the waist region 5. The auxiliary sheet 43 extends in the longitudinal direction X from the first elasticized region 6 that defines the waist opening WH of the diaper 1 to a position inward in the longitudinal direction X of the longitudinal edge 24X of the absorbent core 24, and also extends in the transverse direction Y over the entire length of each of the ventral outer body 4F and the dorsal outer body 4R. As described above, the first elasticized region 6 includes a folded portion 41F of the outer-layer sheet 41, thereby forming a two-layer structure of the outer-layer sheet 41. A portion of the auxiliary sheet 43 is interposed between the two outer-layer sheets 41, 41 that constitute the two-layer structure. A waist elastic member 45a is disposed between the auxiliary sheet 43 and the outer-layer sheet 41 that is not folded over at the folded portion 41F (the outermost outer layer of the diaper 1) of the two outer-layer sheets 41, 41. The auxiliary sheet 43 is fixed to the other members (outer layer sheet 41, inner layer sheet 42, top sheet 21, etc.) that come into contact with it by known joining means such as adhesive or fusion bonding.

[0030] The auxiliary sheet 43, except for the portion located at the folded portion 41F, can come into contact with the wearer's skin when the diaper 1 is worn, and has a sweat-absorbing function, so that it can absorb and retain sweat excreted from the wearer's skin by coming into contact with the wearer's skin. The auxiliary sheet 43 can be made of a sheet material having a sweat-absorbing function, such as a nonwoven fabric.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 2, the diaper 1 of this embodiment includes a disposal tape 47. The disposal tape 47 is fixed to the non-skin-facing surface (i.e., outer surface) of the outer layer sheet 41 of the rear exterior body 4R, which forms the outer surface of the rear portion R of the diaper 1. The disposal tape 47 is used to maintain the rolled state of the diaper 1 after the used diaper 1 has been rolled up. The disposal tape 47 is in the form of a long strip extending in the longitudinal direction X, and the unused disposal tape 47 shown in Fig. 2 is in a folded state. The disposal tape 47 has a similar structure to the disposal tapes used in this type of disposable diaper.

[0032] Next, the torso circumference portion 5 in the diaper 1 will be described in detail. Among the ventral exterior body 4F and the dorsal exterior body 4R that constitute the torso circumference portion 5, at least the ventral exterior body 4F has, among all the elastic members 45a and 45b extending in the lateral direction Y, an intermediate region 7 extending in the lateral direction Y between the elastic members 45a and 45b adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction X and having the widest distance therebetween, that is, between the elastic member 45a located on the most leg opening LH side and the elastic member 45b located on the most waist opening WH side (see FIG. 4). The intermediate region 7 is provided at only one location. At the same time, at least the ventral exterior body 4F has a first stretchable region 6 extending in the lateral direction on the waist opening WH side of the intermediate region 7, and a second stretchable region 8 extending in the lateral direction Y on the leg opening LH side of the intermediate region 7. In the present embodiment, the dorsal exterior body 4R also has a first stretchable region 6, an intermediate region 7, and a second stretchable region 8 having the same configuration as the ventral exterior body 4F. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, when referring to the "first stretchable region 6", "intermediate region 7", and "second stretchable region 8", it means each region provided on the ventral exterior body 4F and the dorsal exterior body 4R.

[0033] The first stretchable region 6 is located between the waist opening side end of the intermediate region 7 and the waist opening end. Specifically, the lower end of the first stretchable region 6 in the longitudinal direction X is the position of the elastic member 45a as described above. On the other hand, the upper end of the first stretchable region 6 in the longitudinal direction X can be the opening end of the waist opening WH when elastic members extending regularly in the lateral direction Y without interruption are arranged between the elastic member 45a and the opening end of the waist opening WH. On the other hand, when there is a portion where the arrangement pattern of the elastic members is clearly different between the elastic member 45a and the opening end of the waist opening WH, for example, when there is a separate elastic member arrangement region (such as a waist elastic region) where the distance between adjacent elastic members in the longitudinal direction X is different, the upper end of the first stretchable region 6 in the longitudinal direction X is the position of the waist opening end.

[0034] The second stretchable region 8 is located between the leg opening side end of the intermediate region 7 and the lower end of the side seal. Specifically, the upper end of the second stretchable region 8 in the vertical direction X is the position of the elastic member 45b as described above. On the other hand, the lower end of the second stretchable region 8 in the vertical direction X can be the position of the virtual line connecting the lower ends of both side seal portions S, S when elastic members regularly extending in the lateral direction Y without interruption are arranged between the virtual line and the elastic member 45b. On the other hand, when there is a site where the arrangement pattern of the elastic members is clearly different between the elastic member 45b and the virtual line, for example, when there is a separately existing elastic member arrangement region where the distances between adjacent elastic members in the vertical direction X are different, the lower end of the second stretchable region 8 in the vertical direction X is the position of the virtual line.

[0035] As described above, the diaper 1 of this embodiment has a first stretchable region 6 that defines the waist opening WH and extends in the lateral direction Y, and a second stretchable region 8 that is spaced apart from the first stretchable region 6 in the vertical direction X and extends in the lateral direction Y, both in the ventral outer body 4F and the dorsal outer body 4R. Moreover, an intermediate region 7 extending in the lateral direction Y is provided between the first stretchable region 6 and the second stretchable region 8. That is, the ventral outer body 4F (ventral body circumference portion 5) and the dorsal outer body 4R (dorsal body circumference portion 5) each have, in order from the waist opening WH toward the leg opening LH, a first stretchable region 6, an intermediate region 7, and a second stretchable region 8.

[0036] The first stretchable region 6 of the body circumference portion 5 (ventral body circumference portion 5) including the ventral outer body 4F and the first stretchable region 6 of the body circumference portion 5 (dorsal body circumference portion 5) including the dorsal outer body 4R are at the same position in the vertical direction X. Similarly, the second stretchable region 8 of the body circumference portion 5 (ventral body circumference portion 5) including the ventral outer body 4F and the second stretchable region 8 of the body circumference portion 5 (dorsal body circumference portion 5) including the dorsal outer body 4R are at the same position in the vertical direction X. Therefore, the intermediate region 7 of the ventral body circumference portion 5 and the intermediate region 7 of the dorsal body circumference portion 5 are also at the same position in the vertical direction X.

[0037] In both the ventral outer body 4F and the dorsal outer body 4R, both the first stretchable region 6 and the intermediate region 7 are continuously located over the entire area from the inner edge of one side seal portion S to the inner edge of the other side seal portion S. Since the intermediate region 7 continuously extends over the entire lateral direction Y of the diaper 1 (excluding the side seal portion S), when wearing the diaper 1, a finger can be placed at any position in the intermediate region 7, so that the wearing operation of the diaper 1 can be smoothly performed. On the other hand, the second stretchable region 8 is composed of a portion that is continuously located over the entire area from the inner edge of one side seal portion S to the inner edge of the other side seal portion S, and a portion that is located only between each side edge of the absorbent body and the inner edge of each side seal portion S (see FIG. 3).

[0038] Both the first stretchable region 6 and the second stretchable region 8 in the ventral outer body 4F and the dorsal outer body 4R include an "elastic member fixed to the surface of the sheet material constituting the body circumference portion 5 and stretchable in the lateral direction Y" (hereinafter also referred to as "specific elastic member"), while the intermediate region 7 does not include the specific elastic member and is a non-arrangement region of the specific elastic member. In the present embodiment, the specific elastic members are the body circumference elastic members 45a and 45b. The body circumference elastic members 45a and 45b are elastic members fixed to at least one surface of the outer layer sheet 41 and the inner layer sheet 42, which are sheet materials constituting the body circumference portion 5, and stretchable in the lateral direction Y.

[0039] As is clear from the description of "fixed to the surface of the sheet material", the specific elastic member is separate from the sheet material constituting the body circumference portion 5, and typically, it is fixed to the surface of the sheet material with an adhesive. Therefore, by removing the adhesive, the specific elastic member can be separated from the sheet material. In the present invention, as the sheet material constituting the body circumferential portion 5, a stretch sheet formed by laminating an elastic filament and a nonwoven fabric, such as the specific stretch sheet, can be used. In this case, the elastic filament is not a specific elastic member. Since the elastic filament is a constituent member of the stretch sheet that is the sheet material and is integrally inseparable from the stretch sheet, it is not "fixed to the surface of the sheet material". Further, while the diameters of the elastic members 45a and 45b, which are examples of the specific elastic member, are about 500 μm to about 1000 μm, the diameter of the elastic filament contained in the specific stretch sheet is about 10 μm to about 200 μm. Therefore, the elastic members 45a and 45b and the elastic filament can be sufficiently distinguished by their thicknesses.

[0040] In the first stretch region 6, a plurality of body circumferential elastic members 45a (specific elastic members) are arranged at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction X. Similarly, in the second stretch region 8, a plurality of body circumferential elastic members 45b (specific elastic members) are arranged at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction X. And the length of the intermediate region 7 in the longitudinal direction X, that is, the length of the region where the body circumferential elastic members 45a and the body circumferential elastic members 45b are not arranged in the longitudinal direction X, is longer than the interval in the longitudinal direction X between the body circumferential elastic members 45a in the first stretch region 6 and the interval in the longitudinal direction X between the body circumferential elastic members 45b in the second stretch region 8. Therefore, when observing the body circumferential portion 5 in order from the waist opening WH to the leg opening LH, the region where the interval first becomes long is the start position of the intermediate region 7, and the region where the interval first becomes short is the end position of the intermediate region 7.

[0041] In the first stretch region 6, the body circumferential elastic member 45a is arranged between the outer layer sheet 41 and the auxiliary sheet 43. In the second stretch region 8, among the several body circumferential elastic members 45b located on the waist opening WH side, some are arranged between the inner layer sheet 42 and the auxiliary sheet 43, while some located on the leg opening LH side are arranged between the inner layer sheet 42 and the outer layer sheet 41.

[0042] Since the intermediate region 7 does not include a specific elastic member, when a non-elastic sheet is used as the sheet material constituting the body circumferential portion 5, the intermediate region 7 is a non-elastic region having no elasticity in the lateral direction Y. On the other hand, when a sheet material having elasticity in the lateral direction Y, such as the specific elastic sheet, is used as the sheet material constituting the body circumferential portion 5, the intermediate region 7 has elasticity in the lateral direction Y, but the elongation stress of the intermediate region 7 in the lateral direction Y is lower than that of the first elastic region 6 and the second elastic region 8 including the specific elastic member. That is, in both the ventral exterior body 4F and the dorsal exterior body 4R, between the first elastic region 6 and the second elastic region 8 and the intermediate region 7 adjacent thereto, with respect to the elongation stress in the lateral direction Y, the magnitude relationship of the first elastic region 6 > the intermediate region 7 and the second elastic region 8 > the intermediate region 7 is established.

[0043] The absorbent core 24 is not disposed in the first elastic region 6 and the intermediate region 7. In other words, as shown in FIG. 3, in the body circumferential portion 5 of each of the ventral portion F and the dorsal portion R, the first elastic region 6 and the intermediate region 7 are located outward in the longitudinal direction X from the longitudinal edge 24X of the absorbent core 24 and its virtual extension line.

[0044] As described above, in the diaper 1, with respect to the elongation stress in the lateral direction Y, the magnitude relationship of the first elastic region 6 > the intermediate region 7 and the second elastic region 8 > the intermediate region 7 is established. The stresses in these regions decrease in the order of the first elastic region 6 and the second elastic region 8, and it is preferable that the intermediate region is non-elastic or has lower elasticity than the second elastic region. By providing such a stress difference between the regions, the intermediate region 7 is likely to deform into a pocket shape with respect to the first elastic region 6 and the second elastic region 8. As a result, when wearing the diaper 1, as shown in FIG. 5, it becomes easier to hook a finger on the intermediate region 7, and the pulling-up operation of the diaper 1 can be performed smoothly.

[0045] From the viewpoint of making the above advantages more prominent, the elongation stress in the lateral direction Y of the first elastic region 6 in the ventral exterior body 4F is σ 4F1 Let, and the elongation stress in the lateral direction Y of the intermediate region 7 be σ 4F3 Let, and the elongation stress in the lateral direction Y of the second elastic region 8 be σ 4F2When it is set as such, σ 4F1 / σ 4F3 The value of is preferably 6.0 or more, and more preferably 12.0 or more. σ 4F2 / σ 4F3 Regarding the value of, it is preferably 1.5 or more, and more preferably 3.0 or more. σ 4F1 / σ 4F2 Regarding the value of, it is preferably 2.0 or more, and more preferably 3.0 or more. Also, σ 4F1 / σ 4F2 The value of is preferably 9.0 or less, and more preferably 6.0 or less.

[0046] The above is the explanation regarding the elongation stress in the lateral direction Y of the first stretchable region 6, the intermediate region 7, and the second stretchable region 8 in the ventral exterior body 4F. In this embodiment, the same explanation as that for the ventral exterior body 4F applies to the elongation stress in the lateral direction Y of the first stretchable region 6, the intermediate region 7, and the second stretchable region 8 of the dorsal exterior body 4R. By configuring the dorsal exterior body 4R in the same manner as the ventral exterior body 4F, the pulling-up operation of the diaper 1 can be performed more smoothly. The reason is as follows. In FIG. 5, a state of placing a finger on the intermediate region 7 in the ventral exterior body 4F is shown, but the position where the finger is placed is not limited to this, and a finger may be placed on the intermediate region 7 in the dorsal exterior body 4R. Generally, the diaper 1 is often pulled up while alternately repeating the operation of placing a finger on the intermediate region 7 in the ventral exterior body 4F and the operation of placing a finger on the intermediate region 7 in the dorsal exterior body 4R. Therefore, by configuring the first stretchable region 6, the intermediate region 7, and the second stretchable region 8 in the same manner in the ventral exterior body 4F and the dorsal exterior body 4R, the pulling-up operation of the diaper 1 can be performed more smoothly.

[0047] The specimen for measuring the above-mentioned elongation stress is prepared as follows. In the side seal part S, the ventral outer body and the dorsal outer body are separated, and the first stretch region 6, the intermediate region 7, and the second stretch region 8 are each cut out from the diaper 1 as a sample piece having a rectangular shape in plan view. The region in the lateral direction Y of each sample piece is a region on the left and right outer sides from the position where both side edges of the absorbent body 2 are extended in the longitudinal direction X. The first stretch region 6 is cut out in the lateral direction Y with the upper end being the waist opening end in the longitudinal direction X and the lower end being 5 mm below the elastic member 45a located closest to the intermediate region 7 side. The second stretch region 8 is cut out in the lateral direction Y with the upper end being 5 mm above the elastic member 45b located closest to the waist opening WH side in the longitudinal direction X and the lower end being a virtual line connecting the lower ends of both side seal parts S, S. By cutting out the sample pieces of the first stretch region 6 and the second stretch region 8, the region between them in the longitudinal direction X of these regions is used as the sample piece in the intermediate region 7. However, when only one of the sample pieces of the first stretch region 6 or the second stretch region 8 can be cut out, or when the length of the sample piece in the intermediate region 7 in the longitudinal direction X becomes 10 mm or less by cutting out the sample pieces of the first stretch region 6 and the second stretch region 8, each sample piece may be collected from a different diaper. Then, the measurement of the elongation stress is performed using a tensile testing machine for each of the cut-out sample pieces. As the tensile testing machine, for example, "AUTOGRAPH AGX-V" manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation can be used. Before measuring the elongation stress, measure the length in the direction corresponding to the lateral direction Y and the length in the direction corresponding to the longitudinal direction X of each sample piece. Next, sandwich each end of the sample piece with a pair of chucks so that the lateral direction Y of the sample piece coincides with the tensile direction. The distance between the chucks is set to 50 mm, and the sample piece is in a relaxed state when set. The tensile speed is 300 mm / sec. After changing the distance between the chucks until the sample piece reaches the length in the maximum elongation state, continue to change the distance between the chucks until it reaches 75% of the length in the maximum elongation state. Measure the tensile load at the time when it reaches 75% of the length in the maximum elongation state, and divide the value by the length of the sample piece in the longitudinal direction X before measurement to obtain the elongation stress. The average value of the elongation stresses of the three sample pieces is taken as the elongation stress (N / cm).

[0048] The "length in the maximum extension state" is measured as follows. Cut out a specimen piece separately from the measurement of the expansion and contraction stress. In the natural state of this specimen piece, make a mark at a position 50 mm (corresponding to the distance between the chucks) in the Y direction. Next, separate the specimen piece into a non-woven fabric and an elastic member. When the elastic member is joined to the non-woven fabric by an adhesive, perform the separation using an appropriate solvent or the like so as not to affect the non-woven fabric. Spread out the non-woven fabric from which the influence of the elastic member has been completely eliminated in a planar shape, measure the length between the marks in that state, and use that value as the length in the maximum extension state.

[0049] σ in the ventral exterior body 4F 4F1 , σ 4F2 and σ 4F3 Regarding each value, from the viewpoint of preventing the sagging of the diaper 1 and from the viewpoint of not giving an excessive tightening feeling to the wearer, it is preferably as follows on the condition that σ 4F1 > σ 4F2 > σ 4F3 . Regarding σ 4F1 , it is preferably 0.3 N / cm or more, more preferably 0.5 N / cm or more. Also, it is preferably 0.9 N / cm or less, more preferably 0.7 N / cm or less. Regarding σ 4F2 , it is preferably 0.05 N / cm or more, more preferably 0.1 N / cm or more. Also, it is preferably 0.3 N / cm or less, more preferably 0.2 N / cm or less. Regarding σ 4F3 , it is preferably 0.03 N / cm or less, more preferably 0.01 N / cm or less. Regarding the elongation stress of each region in the dorsal exterior body 4R, it is preferably the same as that of the ventral exterior body 4F.

[0050] The values of the elongation stress in each region of the ventral outer body 4F and the dorsal outer body 4R are determined by the types and arrangement states of the elastic members 45a and 45b arranged in the ventral outer body 4F and the dorsal outer body 4R, respectively. For example, in the first stretchable region 6, the same elastic member 45a is arranged at the same elongation rate, and in the second stretchable region 8, the same elastic member 45b is arranged at the same elongation rate. Then, by making the number of elastic members 45b arranged in the second stretchable region 8 less than the number of elastic members 45a arranged in the first stretchable region 6, σ 4F1 >σ 4F2 The relationship can be achieved. The "same elastic member" means that the materials, thicknesses, and shapes of the two elastic members are the same.

[0051] In the diaper 1 of the present embodiment, the length L7 (see FIG. 4) along the longitudinal direction X of the intermediate region 7 in the ventral outer body 4F is greater than the distances between adjacent elastic members 45a among all the elastic members 45a and 45b arranged in the first stretchable region 6 and the second stretchable region 8 of the ventral outer body 4F, respectively, and the distances between adjacent elastic members 45b. This is preferable from the viewpoint that it is easier to hook a finger on the intermediate region 7 during the wearing operation of the diaper 1. From the same viewpoint, it is preferable that the length L7 (see FIG. 4) along the longitudinal direction X of the intermediate region 7 in the dorsal outer body 4R is greater than the distances between adjacent elastic members 45a among all the elastic members 45a and 45b arranged in the first stretchable region 6 and the second stretchable region 8 of the dorsal outer body 4R, respectively, and the distances between adjacent elastic members 45b. From the viewpoint of making the above advantages more prominent, when the diaper 1 is, for example, an adult diaper, the length L7 along the longitudinal direction X of the intermediate region 7 is preferably 15 mm or more, and more preferably 25 mm or more. Also, the length L7 is preferably 45 mm or less, and more preferably 35 mm or less.

[0052] The above description relates to the length of the intermediate region 7. From the perspective of preventing the diaper 1 from slipping off and preventing excessive tightening, it is preferable that the lengths of the intermediate region 7, the first expandable and contractible region 6, and the second expandable and contractible region 8 along the vertical direction X decrease in the order of the second expandable and contractible region 8, the first expandable and contractible region 6, and the intermediate region 7. From the same perspective, it is also preferable that the second expandable and contractible region is the longest, the first expandable and contractible region and the intermediate region have the same length and are shorter than the second expandable and contractible region.

[0053] From the perspective of further enhancing the above advantages, when the length of the first expandable and contractible region 6 along the vertical direction X is L6 and the length of the second expandable and contractible region 8 along the vertical direction X is L8, the value of L6 / L7 is preferably 2.0 or less, and more preferably 1.2 or less. Also, the value of L8 / L7 is preferably 3.0 or more, and more preferably 4.0 or more. Also, the value of L8 / L7 is preferably 7.0 or less, and more preferably 6.0 or less.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 4, at least in the ventral outer body 4F, it is preferable that the intermediate region 7 has an upper intermediate region 7a located on the waist opening WH side and a lower intermediate region 7b located on the leg opening LH side. Both the upper intermediate region 7a and the lower intermediate region 7b are regions extending along the lateral direction Y of the diaper 1. Both the upper intermediate region 7a and the lower intermediate region 7b are located in the entire area from the inner edge of one side seal portion S to the inner edge of the other side seal portion S in the diaper 1. In the present embodiment, the dorsal outer body 4R also has the same upper intermediate region 7a and lower intermediate region 7b as the ventral outer body 4F. In the following description, when referring to the "upper intermediate region 7a" and the "lower intermediate region 7b", unless otherwise specified, it means each region in the ventral outer body 4F and the dorsal outer body 4R.

[0055] At least in the ventral outer body 4F, it is preferable from the viewpoint of improving the visibility of the intermediate region 7 that the number of sheet materials constituting the upper intermediate region 7a (excluding the sheet material located on the outermost surface of the ventral outer body 4F and having a free end region in a non-bonded state) is less than the number of sheet materials constituting the lower intermediate region 7b (excluding the sheet material located on the outermost surface of the ventral outer body 4F and having a free end region in a non-bonded state). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the intermediate region 7 in the ventral outer body 4F has an upper intermediate region 7a where two sheet materials are stacked on the side of the waist opening WH, and a lower intermediate region 7b where three sheet materials are stacked on the side of the leg opening LH. The upper intermediate region 7a is composed of an outer layer sheet 41 and an auxiliary sheet 43. The lower intermediate region 7b is composed of an outer layer sheet 41, an inner layer sheet 42, and an auxiliary sheet 43. Since the lower intermediate region 7b, which is triple-layered, contributes to the improvement of the strength of the intermediate region 7 in this way, when a finger is placed on the intermediate region 7 during the pulling-up operation when wearing the diaper 1, it is possible to effectively prevent the intermediate region 7 from being accidentally torn.

[0056] The "sheet material located on the outermost surface of the ventral outer body 4F and having a free end region in a non-bonded state" is, for example, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, among the folded-back portions 41F of the outer layer sheet 41, it is a region that includes the free end 41E and extends in the lateral direction Y at the position of the upper intermediate region 7a or the lower intermediate region 7b, and is a region not joined to other members (the so-called dry edge region indicated by reference numeral 41D in the figure). When counting the number of sheet materials constituting the upper intermediate region 7a and the lower intermediate region 7b, the reason for excluding the "sheet material located on the outermost surface of the ventral outer body 4F and having a free end region in a non-bonded state" is that such a sheet material is not involved in the finger grip during the pulling-up operation of the diaper 1. The free end region 41D is located in the intermediate region 7 but is in a state of not being joined to other members, so it is not included in the number of sheet materials.

[0057] From the viewpoint of making the effect of preventing breakage of the intermediate region 7 more remarkable, it is preferable that the upper intermediate region 7a has a shorter length along the vertical direction X than the lower intermediate region 7b. In particular, when the length of the upper intermediate region 7a along the vertical direction X is L71 and the length of the lower intermediate region 7b along the vertical direction X is L72, the value of L72 / L71 is preferably 2.0 or more, and more preferably 3.0 or more.

[0058] In the present embodiment, it is preferable that at least the upper intermediate region 7a of the ventral exterior body 4F has the smallest number of sheet materials (excluding the sheet material located on the outermost surface of the ventral exterior body 4F and having the free end region 41D in a non-bonded state) among the ventral exterior body 4F. Since the upper intermediate region 7a is like this, the upper intermediate region 7a and the lower intermediate region 7b have different degrees of light transmission, thereby making the intermediate region 7 easier to visually recognize. As a result, the position where the finger is placed on the intermediate region 7 becomes more appropriate, and the pulling-up operation of the diaper 1 can be performed more smoothly.

[0059] The above description regarding the number of sheet materials is for the ventral exterior body 4F, but the same description is applicable to the dorsal exterior body 4R.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 4, in the ventral exterior body 4F and the dorsal exterior body 4R, it is preferable that the lower end edge 41E in the longitudinal direction X of the folded-back portion 41F of the outer layer sheet 41, which is the sheet material located on the skin-facing surface, that is, the innermost surface, is located in the intermediate region 7. In other words, it is preferable that the lower end edge 41E of the folded-back portion 41F of the outer layer sheet 41 is located in a region that overlaps the intermediate region 7 in the thickness direction. Due to the presence of the lower end edge 41E, when the intermediate region 7 is touched with a fingertip, the lower end edge 41E can be perceived, which has the advantage of making it easier to recognize the position of the intermediate region 7. This advantage is achieved regardless of whether the free end region 41D including the lower end edge 41E is joined to other members or not. In particular, when the free end region 41D of the folded-back portion 41F of the outer layer sheet 41 is in a non-joined state with the auxiliary sheet 43, which is the sheet material located immediately on the non-skin-facing surface side of the folded-back portion 41F in the region that overlaps the intermediate region 7 in the thickness direction, that is, when the free end region 41D including the lower end edge 41E is in a non-joined state with the auxiliary sheet 43, it is advantageous because the recognition of the intermediate region by the sense of touch of the finger becomes more reliable. In this case, when the lower end edge 41E of the folded-back portion 41F of the outer layer sheet 41 is located closer to the waist opening WH side than the position that bisects the intermediate region 7 in the longitudinal direction X, the position of the lower end edge 41E and the position of the boundary between the upper intermediate region 7a and the lower intermediate region 7b are closer, so there is an advantage that the finger can be placed in a more appropriate position. The base end portion of the free end region 41D of the folded-back portion 41F of the outer layer sheet 41, that is, the starting portion of the rise, may be located in the intermediate region 7 or may be located in the first stretchable region 6. From the viewpoint of creating a step caused by the difference in the number of sheet materials at the boundary between the first stretchable region 6 and the intermediate region 7 and making it easier to recognize the boundary between the first stretchable region 6 and the intermediate region 7, the base end portion of the free end region 41D is preferably located in the first stretchable region 6.

[0061] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, it is preferable that a non-adhesive region 44 exists in an intermediate region 7, which is a non-arrangement region of specific elastic members (waist circumference elastic members 45a and 45b), between the outermost layer sheet material constituting the outermost layer of the exterior bodies 4F and 4R and another sheet material facing the outermost layer sheet material. In the present embodiment, the outermost layer sheet material is the outer layer sheet 41, and the other sheet material is the inner layer sheet 42 or the auxiliary sheet 43. The outermost layer sheet material is typically also the outermost layer of the diaper 1 and forms the outer surface (non-skin-facing surface) of the diaper 1. The other sheet material only needs to be disposed opposite to the outermost layer sheet material, and it does not matter whether it is a sheet material constituting the exterior bodies 4F and 4R. The non-adhesive region 44 is a region where no adhesive is applied, and in the non-adhesive region 44, the outermost layer sheet material (outer layer sheet 41) and the other sheet material (inner layer sheet 42 or auxiliary sheet 43) are not joined. In the present embodiment, since the non-adhesive region 44 is disposed in the intermediate region 7, which is a non-arrangement region of the specific elastic members, the non-arrangement region of the specific elastic members has few wrinkles and the original flexibility of the sheet material is maintained. This is advantageous from the viewpoint of preventing bedsores when the diaper 1 is worn. The non-adhesive region 44 may be the entire area of the intermediate region 7 or only a partial area. Typically, the non-adhesive region 44 exists over the entire area from the inner edge of one side seal portion S to the inner edge of the other side seal portion S in the intermediate region 7.

[0062] The present invention can be applied to pant-type absorbent articles in general. In this specification, "absorbent article" includes articles used for absorbing body fluids (urine, soft feces, menstrual blood, sweat, etc.) discharged from the human body, and is not limited to the disposable diaper which is the above-described embodiment.

[0063] As described above, the present invention has been described based on its embodiments, but the present invention can be appropriately modified without being limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, in the above-described embodiment, each of the ventral exterior body 4F and the dorsal exterior body 4R had a pair of stretchable regions 6 and 8 and an intermediate region 7 positioned therebetween. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a lower intermediate region extending in the lateral direction Y may be provided so as to bisect the second stretchable region 8 in the longitudinal direction X.

[0064] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the exterior body 4 was configured such that the ventral exterior body 4F, the crotch exterior body 4M, and the dorsal exterior body 4R were integrated and continuous over the entire length of the disposable diaper 1 in the longitudinal direction X. However, alternatively, the exterior body 4 may be configured without the crotch exterior body 4M, and the ventral exterior body 4F and the dorsal exterior body 4R may be spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction X. In that case, the absorbent body 2 is fixed so as to span between both exterior bodies 4F and 4R.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0065] 1 Pant-type disposable diaper (pant-type absorbent article) 24 Absorbent core 4 Exterior body 4F Ventral exterior body 4M Crotch exterior body 4R Dorsal exterior body 40 Adhesive region 41 Outer layer sheet 42 Inner layer sheet 43 Auxiliary sheet 44 Non-adhesive region 45a, 45b Waist elastic members 5 Waist region 6 First stretchable region 7 Intermediate region 8 Second stretchable region X Longitudinal direction Y Lateral direction WH Waist opening LH Leg opening

Claims

1. An absorbent article comprising an absorbent body and an outer cover disposed on the non-skin facing side of the absorbent body, wherein the outer cover includes a ventral outer cover disposed on the ventral side of the wearer and a dorsal outer cover disposed on the dorsal side of the wearer, in the deployed state, having a longitudinal direction extending from the ventral outer cover toward the dorsal outer cover and a transverse direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, a pant-type absorbent article in which a side region of the ventral outer cover and a side region of the dorsal outer cover are joined to form a waist opening and a pair of leg openings, wherein the ventral outer cover includes a plurality of sheet materials and a plurality of elastic members extending in the transverse direction and fixed to the sheet materials, and has elasticity along the transverse direction, the ventral outer cover has an intermediate region extending in the transverse direction between the elastic members having the widest distance between the longitudinally adjacent elastic members among all the elastic members of the ventral outer cover, and has a first stretch region between the waist opening side end and the waist opening end of the intermediate region, and a second stretch region between the leg opening side end and the side seal lower end of the intermediate region, both the first stretch region and the second stretch region include elastic members fixed to the surface of the sheet material constituting the ventral outer cover and the dorsal outer cover and stretchable in the transverse direction, and the intermediate region is a non-arrangement region of the elastic members, the stress of the first stretch region and the second stretch region decreases in the order of the first stretch region and the second stretch region, and the intermediate region is non-stretchable or has lower stretchability than the second stretch region, the intermediate region has an upper intermediate region located on the waist opening side and a lower intermediate region located on the leg opening side, the number of the sheet materials (excluding the sheet material located on the outermost surface of the ventral outer cover and having a free end region in a non-joined state) constituting the upper intermediate region is less than the number of the sheet materials (excluding the sheet material located on the outermost surface of the ventral outer cover and having a free end region in a non-joined state) constituting the lower intermediate region, The upper intermediate region is a pant-type absorbent article in which the number of the sheet materials (excluding the sheet material located on the outermost surface of the ventral outer cover and having a free end region in a non-joined state) is the least among the ventral outer cover.

2. The pant-type absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the upper intermediate region is shorter in length along the longitudinal direction than the lower intermediate region.

3. The length of the middle region, the first stretchable region, and the second stretchable region along their longitudinal direction is shorter in the order of the second stretchable region, the first stretchable region, and the middle region, or The pant-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second stretchable region is the longest, the first stretchable region and the middle region have the same length and are shorter than the second stretchable region.

4. The pant-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lower end edge in the longitudinal direction of the sheet material located on the skin-facing surface of the ventral outer body is located in a region overlapping the middle region in the thickness direction.

5. The pant-type absorbent article according to claim 4, wherein the lower end edge in the longitudinal direction of the sheet material located on the skin-facing surface of the ventral outer body is located closer to the waist opening than the position bisecting the middle region in the longitudinal direction.

6. The sheet material located on the skin-facing surface of the ventral outer body has a lower end edge in the longitudinal direction located in a region overlapping the middle region in the thickness direction, The pant-type absorbent article according to claim 4, wherein the free end region including the lower end edge is in a non-bonded state with the sheet material located immediately on the non-skin-facing surface side of the sheet material.

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