Underpants type absorbent article

Abstract

To provide an underpants type absorbent article which enables even an elderly user whose eyesight or cognitive function is deteriorated to correctly recognize an arrangement position of a urine-taking pad.SOLUTION: A plurality of girth elastic members 45 extending in a horizontal direction Y are disposed on an abdominal side part F and a back side part R of a diaper 1. An absorbent core 24 has a missing part 51 composed of a recess recessed from a skin facing surface side or a notch part in a central area in the horizontal direction Y in an end area at least on the abdominal side part F. In a planar view, at least one girth elastic member 45 is between a crotch part M side end 51X of the missing part 51 and an end 23X in the vertical direction on the abdominal side part F of an absorber 23. In an overlapping part between the absorber 23 and the at least one girth elastic member 45, the girth elastic member 45 is stretchable in the horizontal direction Y. The other girth elastic members 45 are not disposed in the state of being stretchable in horizontal direction Y in an area overlapping the absorbent core 24 in a planar view.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

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 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 to enhance the fitness of the wearer's body, and the entire body circumference portion has elasticity in the body circumference direction.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes that in the absorber of a pants-type disposable diaper, a low basis weight region or a low-rigidity region where the absorbent core does not exist is formed in the back body circumference region. According to the diaper described in the same document, it is described that the fitness to a wearer who easily assumes a C-shaped curve posture can be further improved.

[0004] Patent Document 2 describes that in a pants-type disposable diaper, a high flat region, a low flat region, and a squeezing portion are provided in the absorbent core. According to the diaper described in the same document, it is described that the fitness to the wearer can be improved while suppressing irregular deformation of the absorbent core by the elastic member.

[0005] Patent Document 3 describes that in a pant-type disposable diaper, a plurality of slits extending from the rear edge to the front side of the absorption core are formed in the area around the back waist of the absorption core. According to the diaper described in the same document, it is described in the same document that by forming such slits, the absorption core can be easily deformed and leakage of body fluid from the rear can be suppressed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] In pant-type absorbent articles, a urine collection pad may be used in combination from the viewpoints of reducing the labor of replacement after urination and economy. When using a urine collection pad, it is necessary to place the urine collection pad in the correct position from the viewpoint of preventing leakage of body fluid. However, in conventional pant-type absorbent articles, it is difficult to know the correct placement position of the urine collection pad. Therefore, there has been a problem in that especially when an elderly person with reduced vision or cognitive function is the user, the urine collection pad may not be placed in the correct position.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a pant-type absorbent article that allows an elderly person with reduced vision or cognitive function to easily recognize the placement position of the urine collection pad correctly.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] The present invention includes an absorber including an absorption core and an outer wrapper disposed on the non-skin-facing surface side of the absorption core. It has a ventral part arranged on the ventral side of the wearer during wearing, a dorsal part arranged on the dorsal side of the wearer, and a crotch part located between the ventral part and the dorsal part. The outer package includes a ventral outer package arranged on the ventral side of the wearer and a dorsal outer package arranged on the dorsal side of the wearer. It has a longitudinal direction extending from the ventral outer package through the crotch part toward the dorsal outer package and a transverse direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. It is a pant-type absorbent article in which a side region of the ventral outer package and a side region of the dorsal outer package 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, it is preferable that a plurality of body circumference elastic members extending in the transverse direction are arranged on the ventral part and the dorsal part. In one embodiment of the pant-type absorbent article of the present invention, it is preferable that the absorbent core has a defective part formed by a concave part or a notch recessed from the skin-facing surface side in at least a central region in the transverse direction of an end region on the ventral part side. In one embodiment of the pant-type absorbent article of the present invention, in a plan view, it is preferable that at least one of the body circumference elastic members is located between an end on the crotch part side of the defective part and a longitudinal end on the ventral part side of the absorber. In one embodiment of the pant-type absorbent article of the present invention, in an overlapping part of the absorber and the at least one body circumference elastic member, it is preferable that the body circumference elastic member is stretchable in the transverse direction. In one embodiment of the pant-type absorbent article of the present invention, the body circumference elastic member not located between an end on the crotch part side of the defective part and a longitudinal end on the ventral part side of the absorber in a plan view is preferably not arranged in a stretchable state in the transverse direction in a region overlapping the absorbent core in a plan view. Other features, effects, and embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

Effects of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, there is provided a pant-type absorbent article that enables even an elderly person with reduced vision or cognitive function to easily recognize the placement position of a urine collection pad.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Figures 1 to 5 show a disposable diaper 1 which is an embodiment of the pants-type absorbent article of the present invention. The diaper 1 includes an absorbent core 24 and an outer cover 4 disposed on the non-skin-facing surface side of the absorbent core 24.

[0013] As used herein, the "skin-facing surface" refers to the surface of the absorbent article or its component (e.g., the absorbent body) that faces the wearer's skin when the absorbent article is worn, that is, the side relatively closer to the wearer's skin, and the "non-skin-facing surface" refers to the surface of the absorbent article or its component 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. Here, the "when worn" means a state in which the normal proper wearing position, that is, the correct wearing position of the absorbent article is maintained.

[0014] The outer cover 4 includes a front outer cover 4F disposed on the front side of the wearer and a back outer cover 4R disposed on the back 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 front outer cover 4F and the back outer cover 4R in addition to the front outer cover 4F and the back outer cover 4R, and these three outer covers 4F, 4M, and 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.

[0015] The diaper 1 has a longitudinal direction X extending from the front outer cover 4F toward the back outer cover 4R and a transverse direction Y orthogonal to the longitudinal direction X. The longitudinal direction X corresponds to the direction extending from the front side of the wearer through the crotch to the back side. The transverse direction Y corresponds to the direction around the wearer's torso.

[0016] In the diaper 1, the side regions of the ventral outer body 4F and the side regions of the dorsal outer body 4R are joined to form an annular body circumferential 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 which are the joints between a pair of side regions along the longitudinal direction X of the ventral outer body 4F and a pair of side regions along the longitudinal direction X of the dorsal outer body 4R. The joining form between the ventral outer body 4F and the dorsal outer body 4R in the side seal portion S is not particularly limited, and examples include fusion by heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, etc., and adhesion by an adhesive.

[0017] The body circumferential portion 5 is a region in the diaper 1 that is in the same position as the side seal portion S in the longitudinal direction X. In other words, it is the region sandwiched between the pair of side seal portions S, S. Also, in the outer body 4, the portion constituting the body circumferential portion 5 of the ventral part F is the ventral outer body 4F, the portion constituting the body circumferential portion 5 of the dorsal part R is the dorsal outer body 4R, and the rest is the crotch outer body 4M.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the diaper 1 of the present embodiment has a ventral part F disposed on the ventral side of the wearer during wearing, a dorsal part R disposed on the dorsal side of the wearer, and a crotch part M located between the ventral part F and the dorsal part R. The crotch part 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 unfolded and maximum extended state as shown in FIG. 3 and extends in the transverse direction Y. The crotch part M includes an excretion part facing part (not shown) facing the excretion part such as the penis of the wearer, and typically includes the part where the length in the transverse direction Y is the shortest in the diaper 1. The ventral part F, the crotch part M, and the dorsal part R can be the respective regions when the absorbent article in the unfolded and maximum extended state is trisected in the longitudinal direction X.

[0019] In this specification, the "deployed and maximum extended state" means that 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 of the members other than the elastic member in a plan view become the designed dimensions, that is, until the influence of the elastic member is completely eliminated, and refers to the state in which the absorbent article is expanded flat.

[0020] The diaper 1 of the present embodiment is symmetrically formed on one side and the other side with respect to the horizontal center line CLy. The horizontal center line CLy is a virtual straight line that bisects the diaper 1 in the deployed and maximum extended state in the horizontal direction Y and extends in the vertical direction X.

[0021] The diaper 1 of the present embodiment has an absorbent main body 2 including an absorbent core 24. The outer cover 4 is fixed to the non-skin facing surface of the absorbent main body 2 by known joining means such as an adhesive. As shown in FIG. 3, the absorbent main body 2 has a shape that is long in one direction in a plan view, specifically, a rectangular shape. Its longitudinal direction coincides with the vertical direction X of the diaper 1, and it is disposed at the center of the horizontal direction Y of the outer cover 4, and extends in the vertical direction X from the ventral side portion F through the crotch portion M to the dorsal side portion R. The absorbent main body 2 includes a liquid-permeable surface sheet 21 disposed relatively close to the wearer's skin, a liquid-impermeable back sheet 22 disposed relatively far from the wearer's skin, and an absorber 23 interposed between the two 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 main body 2 are integrated by known joining means such as an adhesive.

[0022] 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 resin films and laminates of resin films and non-woven fabrics. 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 fabrics. In the present embodiment, both the skin-facing surface and the non-skin-facing surface of the absorbent core 24 are covered with two core wrap sheets 25 and 26, but this may also be done with one core wrap sheet. Further, the core wrap sheets 25 and 26 may be omitted, that is, the absorbent body 23 may be composed only of the absorbent core 24.

[0023] 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 filamentous elastic member for the cuff fixed to the cuff sheet. The cuff sheet has a strip shape extending in the longitudinal direction X in a plan view, and is fixed to other members (such as the surface sheet 21 and the outer wrapper 4) 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. By thus standing up the pair of leak-proof cuffs 3, 3, the lateral outward flow of excrement such as urine is blocked.

[0024] 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, and filamentous body circumferential elastic members 45 and filamentous leg circumferential elastic members 46 fixed between both sheets 41 and 42. Both sheets 41 and 42 are joined and integrated with each other by an adhesive. In FIGS. 4 and 5, the region 40 marked with a dot pattern indicates the adhesion region. The adhesion 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 adhesion region 40 including the outer layer sheet 41, the inner layer sheet 42, and the body circumferential elastic member 45 disposed between both sheets 41 and 42, these plurality of members are joined by the adhesive.

[0025] In the present embodiment, the outer layer sheet 41 has a longer length in the longitudinal direction X than the inner layer sheet 42 and has an extension portion that extends outward in the longitudinal direction X from one end of the inner layer sheet 42 in the longitudinal direction X. The extension 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 the waist end portion 6 of the body circumferential portion 5 that defines the waist opening WH. At the waist end portion 6, there is a two-layer structure of the outer layer sheet 41 composed of the folded-back portion 41F and the outer layer sheet 41 disposed opposite thereto.

[0026] As the outer sheet 41 and the inner 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 each be a stretch sheet having elasticity in the lateral direction Y, or a non-stretch sheet having no elasticity. As an example of the stretch sheet, a "stretch sheet formed by joining a large number of elastic filaments arranged to extend in one direction without crossing each other to a stretchable non-woven fabric containing inelastic fibers in a substantially non-extended state" described in JP-A-2009-61743 (hereinafter also referred to as "specific stretch sheet") can be exemplified. For example, the outer sheet 41 can be the specific stretch sheet, and the inner sheet 42 can be a non-stretch sheet. In the present embodiment, both sheets 41 and 42 have no elasticity.

[0027] A plurality of body circumference elastic members 45 are arranged in the ventral part F and the dorsal part R. The plurality of body circumference elastic members 45 extend in the lateral direction Y between a pair of side seal parts S, S and are arranged intermittently in the longitudinal direction X. The body circumference elastic member 45 is fixed in a state of being extended in the lateral direction Y on at least one surface of the outer sheet 41, the inner sheet 42, and the surface sheet 21, which are the sheet materials constituting the body circumference part 5, has elastic stretchability in the lateral direction Y, and contracts in a natural state (a state where no external force is applied). In the worn state of the diaper 1, due to the contraction of the body circumference elastic member 45, a plurality of folds (gathers) extending in a direction crossing the extending direction (lateral direction Y) of the body circumference elastic member 45 are formed on the surface (skin-facing surface and non-skin-facing surface) of the body circumference part 5.

[0028] The body circumference part 5 has elasticity in the lateral direction Y due to the elastic stretchability of the body circumference elastic member 45, excluding the arrangement region of the absorbent core 24 (the region in the body circumference part 5 that overlaps the absorbent core 24 in plan view). The state of the body circumference elastic member 45 in the arrangement region of the absorbent core 24 will be described later.

[0029] The leg-around elastic member 46 is arranged so as to surround the opening edges of the pair of leg openings LH, LH. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the leg-around elastic member 46 extends from the inner ends in the longitudinal direction X of the ventral outer body 4F and the dorsal outer body 4R (the ends 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 edges of the crotch outer body 4M. The leg-around elastic member 46 is fixed in a stretched state to the sheet materials (such as the outer layer sheet 41 and the inner layer sheet 42) constituting its arrangement site, and is contracted in its natural state. In the state of wearing the diaper 1, due to the contraction of the leg-around elastic member 46, a plurality of folds (leg gathers) are formed on the entire circumference of the opening edge of the leg opening LH.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the diaper 1 of the present embodiment includes an auxiliary sheet 43 that forms the skin-facing surface of the body-around portion 5. The auxiliary sheet 43 extends in the longitudinal direction X from the waist end 6 that defines the waist opening WH of the diaper 1 to a position inward in the longitudinal direction X from the longitudinal end 24X of the absorbent core 24, and also extends in the transverse direction Y over the entire length in the transverse direction Y of the ventral outer body 4F and the dorsal outer body 4R. Further, as described above, a folded-back portion 41F of the outer layer sheet 41 exists at the waist end 6, and thereby a two-layer structure of the outer layer sheet 41 is formed. A part of the auxiliary sheet 43 is interposed between the two layers of the outer layer sheet 41, 41 constituting the two-layer structure. Also, a body-around elastic member 45 is arranged between the outer layer sheet 41 (the outer layer sheet 41 that forms the outermost layer of the diaper 1) that is not the folded-back portion 41F of the two layers of the outer layer sheet 41, 41 and the auxiliary sheet 43. The auxiliary sheet 43 is fixed to other members (such as the outer layer sheet 41, the inner layer sheet 42, and the surface sheet 21) in contact therewith by known joining means such as an adhesive or heat fusion.

[0031] The auxiliary sheet 43 has a sweat-absorbing function in that it can come into contact with the wearer's skin in the worn state of the diaper 1 except for the portion disposed at the folded portion 41F, and thus can absorb and hold the sweat excreted from the skin by coming into contact with the wearer's skin. As the auxiliary sheet 43, a sheet material having a sweat-absorbing function can be used, for example, a nonwoven fabric.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, the diaper 1 of the present embodiment includes a disposal tape 47. The disposal tape 47 is fixed to the non-skin-facing surface of the outer layer sheet 41 of the back outer body 4R that forms the outer surface of the back side portion R of the diaper 1. The disposal tape 47 is used to maintain the rolled-up state of the used diaper 1 after rolling up the used diaper 1. The disposal tape 47 has a long strip shape in the longitudinal direction X, and the disposal tape 47 in the unused state shown in FIG. 2 is in a folded state. The disposal tape 47 is configured in the same manner as the disposal tape in this type of disposable diaper.

[0033] Next, the body circumference portion 5 will be described in detail. The body circumference portion 5 includes a waist end portion 6 that defines a waist opening WH and has elasticity in the lateral direction Y, and a waist end adjacent region 7 that is adjacent to the waist end portion 6 in the longitudinal direction X. The waist end portion 6 of the body circumference portion 5 (ventral body circumference portion 5) including the ventral outer body 4F and the waist end portion 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 longitudinal direction X in the natural state. The waist end adjacent region 7 of the ventral body circumference portion 5 and the waist end adjacent region 7 of the dorsal body circumference portion 5 are at the same position in the longitudinal direction X in the natural state. The waist end portion 6 includes 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"), whereas the waist end adjacent region 7 does not include the specific elastic member and is a non-disposal region of the specific elastic member. In the present embodiment, the specific elastic member is the body circumference elastic member 45. The body circumference elastic member 45 is an elastic member fixed to at least one surface of the outer layer sheet 41, the inner layer sheet 42, and the surface sheet 21 and stretchable in the lateral direction Y.

[0034] 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 circumferential portion 5 and is typically fixed to the surface of the sheet material by 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 stretchable sheet formed by laminating an elastic filament and a nonwoven fabric, such as the specific stretchable sheet, can be used. In that case, the elastic filament is not a specific elastic member. Since the elastic filament is a constituent member of the stretchable sheet that is the sheet material and is integrally inseparable from the stretchable sheet, it is not "fixed to the surface of the sheet material".

[0035] A plurality of body circumferential elastic members 45 (specific elastic members) are arranged at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction X at the waist end portion 6. On the other hand, the length in the longitudinal direction X of the region adjacent to the waist end portion 7, that is, the length in the longitudinal direction X of the region where the body circumferential elastic members 45 are not arranged, is longer than the interval in the longitudinal direction X between the body circumferential elastic members 45 at the waist end portion 6. Therefore, when observing the body circumferential portion 5 in order from the waist opening WH toward the leg opening LH, the region where the interval first becomes long is the region 7 adjacent to the waist end portion. The region 7 adjacent to the waist end portion is typically the region where the interval between the body circumferential elastic members 45 adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction X in the body circumferential portion 5 is the widest.

[0036] Since the waist end adjacent region 7 does not contain a specific elastic member, when a non-stretchable sheet such as the outer layer sheet 41 and the inner layer sheet 42 of the present embodiment is used as the sheet material constituting the body circumferential portion 5, the waist end adjacent region 7 is a non-stretchable region having no stretchability in the lateral direction Y. On the other hand, when a sheet material having stretchability in the lateral direction Y such as the specific stretchable sheet is used as the sheet material constituting the body circumferential portion 5, the waist end adjacent region 7 has stretchability in the lateral direction Y, but the elongation stress of the waist end adjacent region 7 in the lateral direction Y is lower than that of the waist end 6 including the specific elastic member. That is, regardless of whether the sheet material constituting the body circumferential portion 5 has stretchability in the lateral direction Y, between the waist end 6 and the waist end adjacent region 7 adjacent thereto, with respect to the elongation stress in the lateral direction Y, the magnitude relationship of waist end 6 > waist end adjacent region 7 is established.

[0037] The absorbent core 24 is not disposed in the waist end 6 and the waist end adjacent region 7. In other words, as shown in FIG. 3, in the body circumferential portion 5 of each of the ventral side portion F and the dorsal side portion R, the waist end 6 and the waist end adjacent region 7 are located outside the longitudinal direction end 24X of the absorbent core 24 and its virtual extension line in the longitudinal direction X.

[0038] Next, the details of the absorbent core 24 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the absorbent core 24 has a missing portion 51 in the central region in the lateral direction Y at least in the end region on the ventral side portion F side. The missing portion 51 is composed of a recessed portion or a notch recessed from the skin-facing surface side. When the missing portion 51 is composed of a recessed portion, the recessed portion is composed of a non-penetrating hole having a bottom on the non-skin-facing surface side of the absorbent core 24. The bottom is formed from the constituent material of the absorbent core 24. The bottom is formed by removing the constituent material on the skin-facing surface side in the absorbent core 24, or is formed by compressing the absorbent core 24 from the skin-facing surface side toward the non-skin-facing surface side. In the former case, the basis weight of the bottom is lower than the basis weight of other parts in the absorbent core. In the latter case, the basis weight of the bottom is the same as the basis weight of other parts in the absorbent core 24. When the defective portion 51 consists of a notch, the constituent material of the absorbent core 24 does not exist in the notch. Regardless of whether the defective portion 51 is in the form of a concave portion or a notch, the core wrap sheets 25 and 26 may or may not exist in a region that overlaps the defective portion 51 in plan view. It is preferable that at least a part of the contour line of the defective portion 51 in plan view is formed so as to be located on the longitudinal end portion 24X of the absorbent core 24 from the viewpoint that the effect (described later) achieved by forming the defective portion 51 is effectively exhibited.

[0039] In the present embodiment, the absorbent core 24 has a notch 52 as the defective portion 51 in the central region in the lateral direction Y in the end region on the ventral side F side. The notch 52 (defective portion 51) has a shape of an isosceles triangle or an equilateral triangle, and is formed in an inverted triangle shape or a wedge shape so that the base of these triangles coincides with the longitudinal end portion 24X of the absorbent core 24.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 8, the diaper 1 having such a defective portion 51 is preferably used particularly when used in combination with the urine collection pad 11. When the wearer himself / herself attaches the urine collection pad to the pants-type diaper, as shown in FIG. 8, the diaper is often passed through both legs and lowered to below the knees, and the wearer assumes a posture of sitting on a chair or the like. When attaching the urine collection pad to the diaper in this posture, in the conventional diaper, it is often difficult to know the correct placement position of the urine collection pad, and there may be a leakage of body fluid due to the urine collection pad not being placed in the correct position. In particular, when a person with reduced vision or cognitive ability, such as an elderly person, attaches the urine collection pad, the above problem is prominent. On the other hand, in the diaper 1 in which the absorbent core 24 has the missing part 51, as shown in FIGS. 9(a) and (b), when the diaper 1 is spread forward while pressing the missing part 51 or its periphery with a finger, a fold line starting from the missing part 51 is generated. By forming the fold line in the diaper 1 in this way, as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 9(b), a triangular recess 12 surrounded by the fold line is generated. Since this recess 12 is formed at the same position as the correct placement position of the urine collection pad 11, in the diaper 1, the placement position of the urine collection pad 11 is easily recognizable visually and tactilely. Due to this, according to the diaper 1, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of leakage of body fluids due to the urine collection pad 11 not being placed at the correct position. In this way, by providing the missing part 51 in the absorbent core 24, it is possible to clearly indicate the correct placement position of the urine collection pad 11 without using a colored member. Therefore, compared with the case of clearly indicating the placement position of the urine collection pad 11 using a colored member, it is possible to improve the aesthetic property and reduce the manufacturing cost. However, in the present invention, in addition to the missing part 51, it is not prohibited to more clearly indicate the correct placement position of the urine collection pad 11 using a colored member.

[0041] The missing part 51 of the diaper 1 has a different tactile sensation due to the difference in basis weight and / or rigidity from the surrounding part. Therefore, even if the user of the diaper 1 is an elderly person with reduced vision, when placing the urine collection pad 11 on the diaper 1, it is easier to recognize sensually which part of the diaper 1 should be pressed. Also, in the present embodiment, since the missing part 51 is composed of the notch part 52, the missing part 51 has low rigidity and particularly functions easily as a folding starting point.

[0042] From the viewpoint of making the recess 12 (see Fig. 9(b)) more likely to occur and making it easier to recognize the correct placement position of the urine collection pad 11, it is preferable that the width of the missing portion 51 in the lateral direction Y gradually decreases from the longitudinal end 24X of the absorbent core 24 toward the crotch M side. In the present embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3, the missing portion 51 (notch portion 52) has an inverted triangular shape with the bottom side coinciding with the longitudinal end 24X on the ventral side F side of the absorbent core 24, and the width of the missing portion 51 in the lateral direction Y gradually decreases from the bottom side toward the crotch M side.

[0043] As described above, the absorbent core 24 has the missing portion 51 in the central region in the lateral direction Y in the end region on the ventral side F side. The number of the missing portions 51 may be one or more. For example, the absorbent core 24 may have a plurality of missing portions 51 in the end region on the ventral side F side. However, in order to make it easier for the user to understand which missing portion 51 should be pressed, it is preferable that the absorbent core 24 has only one missing portion 51 in the end region on the ventral side F side. In this case, it is preferable that the missing portion 51 is arranged such that the midpoint of the bottom side of the triangular missing portion 51 coincides with the midpoint of the longitudinal end 24X of the absorbent core 24. In addition to the end region on the ventral side F side, the absorbent core 24 may also have a missing portion 51 in the end region on the dorsal side R side, particularly in the central region in the lateral direction Y in the end region on the dorsal side R side. By providing the missing portion 51 in the end region on the dorsal side R side of the absorbent core 24, it is possible for a person other than the wearer to easily attach the urine collection pad 11 to the diaper 1 from the back side of the wearer. Specifically, a person other than the wearer can easily recognize the correct placement position of the urine collection pad 11 by pressing the missing portion 51 arranged in the end region on the dorsal side R side with a finger.

[0044] The length of the missing portion 51 in the longitudinal direction X is preferably 3.5% or more, more preferably 5% or more of the length of the absorbent core 24 in the longitudinal direction X. Also, the length of the missing portion 51 in the longitudinal direction X is preferably 10% or less, more preferably 8.5% or less of the length of the absorbent core 24 in the longitudinal direction X. When the length of the defective part 51 in the vertical direction X varies depending on the position, the length in the vertical direction X shall be the longest length. By setting the length of the defective part 51 in the vertical direction X to 3.5% or more of the length of the absorbent core 24 in the vertical direction X, the size of the defective part 51 can be increased, so that the recess 12 is more likely to occur. Also, when pressing the defective part 51 with a finger to cause the recess 12, the position of the defective part 51 becomes easier to grasp. Also, by setting the length of the defective part 51 in the vertical direction X to 10% or less of the length of the absorbent core 24 in the vertical direction X, the recess 12 is likely to be formed at a position that coincides with the appropriate placement position of the urine collection pad 11. Also, when pressing the defective part 51 or its periphery with a finger, the force of the finger is more likely to be transmitted to the entire defective part 51, so that the recess 12 is more clearly formed.

[0045] The length of the defective part 51 in the horizontal direction Y is preferably 10% or more of the length of the absorbent core 24 in the horizontal direction Y, more preferably 20% or more, and still more preferably 30% or more. Also, the length of the defective part 51 in the horizontal direction Y is preferably 80% or less of the length of the absorbent core 24 in the horizontal direction Y, more preferably 70% or less, and still more preferably 60% or less. When the length of the defective part 51 in the horizontal direction Y varies depending on the position, the length in the horizontal direction Y shall be the longest length. By setting the length of the defective part 51 in the horizontal direction Y to 10% or more of the length of the absorbent core 24 in the horizontal direction Y, the size of the defective part 51 can be increased, so that the recess 12 is more likely to occur. Also, when pressing the defective part 51 with a finger to cause the recess 12, the position of the defective part 51 becomes easier to grasp. Also, by setting the length of the defective part 51 in the horizontal direction Y to 80% or less of the length of the absorbent core 24 in the horizontal direction Y, the spread of the recess 12 in the horizontal direction Y is suppressed, so that the appropriate placement position of the urine collection pad 11 becomes easier to grasp.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in the plan view of the diaper 1, at least one body circumference elastic member 45 is positioned between the crotch M side end 51X of the missing portion 51 and the longitudinal end 23X on the front side F of the absorber 23. In the overlapping portion of the absorber 23 and the at least one body circumference elastic member 45, it is preferable that the body circumference elastic member 45 can expand and contract in the lateral direction Y. Thus, when the missing portion 51 or its periphery is pressed with a finger (see FIG. 9(a)), the contraction force of the body circumference elastic member 45 acts, so that the missing portion 51 serves as a folding starting point, and as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 9(b), the diaper 1 is likely to bend and the recess 12 is likely to occur. The number of the body circumference elastic members 45 positioned between the crotch M side end 51X of the missing portion 51 and the longitudinal end 23X on the front side F of the absorber 23 in the plan view (hereinafter, also referred to as the "missing portion elastic member 53" (see FIGS. 4 and 5).) may be one or a plurality. From the viewpoint of suppressing excessive contraction of the absorbent core 24 and improving the ease of application of the urine collection pad 11, it is preferable that the diaper 1 has only one missing portion elastic member 53. In addition, in FIGS. 6 and 7, in order to clarify the positional relationship between the missing portion elastic member 53 and the missing portion 51, the illustration of some members is omitted.

[0047] From the same viewpoint as above, among the body circumference elastic members 45, the body circumference elastic members 45 not positioned between the crotch M side end 51X of the missing portion 51 and the longitudinal end 23X on the front side F of the absorber 23 in the plan view are preferably not arranged in a state where they can expand and contract in the lateral direction Y in the region overlapping the absorbent core 24 in the plan view. In other words, the body circumference elastic members 45 not positioned between the crotch M side end 51X of the missing portion 51 and the longitudinal end 23X on the front side F of the absorber 23 in the plan view are preferably arranged in the following manner (1) or (2). (1) It is arranged so as not to overlap the absorbent core 24 in the plan view. (2) It is arranged so as to overlap the absorbent core 24 in the plan view, and is arranged in a state where it cannot expand and contract in the lateral direction Y in the region overlapping the absorbent core 24. The phrase "arranged in a state where it cannot expand or contract in the lateral direction Y" means, for example, a state where the circumferential elastic member 45 is finely divided in a region overlapping with the absorbent core 24 and cannot expand or contract in the lateral direction Y.

[0048] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the missing part elastic member 53 overlaps with the missing part 51 in a plan view. Further, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the missing part elastic member 53 does not overlap with the missing part 51 and is located between the longitudinal end 24X on the ventral side F side of the absorbent core 24 and the longitudinal end 23X on the ventral side F side of the absorber 23. In the diaper 1 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the longitudinal end 23X of the absorber 23 is synonymous with the longitudinal ends of the core wrap sheets 25 and 26. Note that the diaper 1 may include both a missing part elastic member 53 that overlaps with the missing part 51 in a plan view and a missing part elastic member 53 that is located between the longitudinal end 24X of the absorbent core 24 and the longitudinal end 23X of the absorber 23.

[0049] The missing part elastic member 53 is preferably arranged on the skin-facing side of the absorber 23. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the missing part elastic member 53 is arranged between the auxiliary sheet 43, which is a member located on the skin-facing side of the absorber 23, and the surface sheet 21. One and the other end regions of the missing part elastic member 53 along the longitudinal direction of the missing part elastic member 53 are fixed to the auxiliary sheet 43 and / or the surface sheet 21, and the region between the end regions may be in a non-bonded state with either the auxiliary sheet 43 or the surface sheet 21, or may be in a bonded state with the auxiliary sheet 43 and / or the surface sheet 21. Since the missing part elastic member 53, which is a filamentous elastic member, is arranged on the skin-facing side of the absorber 23, when the wearer presses the missing part 51 or its periphery with a finger to expand the diaper 1, the wearer's finger is more likely to catch on the missing part 51. Due to this, when expanding the diaper 1, the finger is less likely to slip, and the recess 12 (see FIG. 9(b)) is more easily formed.

[0050] The present invention can be applied to all types of pant-type absorbent articles. The "absorbent article" referred to in the specification of the present application 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 of the above-described embodiment.

[0051] 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. In the above-described embodiment, the absorbent core 24 had a single-layer structure, but instead, the absorbent core 24 may have a multi-layer structure. For example, the absorbent core 24 may have a two-layer structure composed of an upper core and a lower core. When the absorbent core 24 has a multi-layer structure, the "end region on the ventral side F side" where the missing portion 51 is located refers to the edge on the ventral side F side of each layer constituting the absorbent core 24 that is located most on the ventral side F side and its periphery. Also, in the above-described embodiment, the outer body 4 was in a form in which the ventral outer body 4F, the crotch outer body 4M, and the dorsal outer body 4R were integrated and continuous over the entire length in the longitudinal direction X of the diaper 1. However, instead, a form may be adopted in which the crotch outer body 4M is not provided and the ventral outer body 4F and the dorsal outer body 4R are arranged spaced apart in the longitudinal direction X. In that case, the absorbent main body 2 is fixed by being spanned between both outer bodies 4F and 4R. Also, the diaper 1 may not have the waist end adjacent region 7 which is a non-stretchable region.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0052] 1 Disposable diaper 2 Absorbent main body 4 Outer body 4F Ventral outer body 4M Crotch outer body 4R Dorsal outer body 23 Absorbent body 23X Longitudinal end on the ventral side of the absorbent body 24 Absorbent core 45 Body circumference elastic member 51 Missing portion 51X Crotch side end of the missing portion 53 Missing portion elastic member F Ventral side LH Leg Opening M Lower Thigh R Dorsal Part WH Waist Opening X Longitudinal Direction Y Lateral Direction

Claims

1. An absorber including an absorbent core, and an exterior body disposed on the non-skin-facing surface side of the absorbent core, having a ventral part disposed on the ventral side of the wearer during wearing, a dorsal part disposed on the dorsal side of the wearer, and a crotch part located between the ventral part and the dorsal part, wherein 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, having a longitudinal direction extending from the ventral exterior body through the crotch part toward the dorsal exterior body and a transverse direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, 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, wherein a plurality of body circumference elastic members extending in the transverse direction are disposed on the ventral part and the dorsal part, wherein the absorbent core has a missing part formed of a recessed part or a notch recessed from the skin-facing surface side at least in a central region in the transverse direction in an end region on the ventral part side, in a plan view, at least one of the body circumference elastic members is located between an end on the crotch part side of the missing part and a longitudinal end on the ventral part side of the absorber, in an overlapping part of the absorber and the at least one body circumference elastic member, the body circumference elastic member is stretchable in the transverse direction, A pant-type absorbent article, wherein the body circumference elastic member not located between an end on the crotch part side of the missing part and a longitudinal end on the ventral part side of the absorber in a plan view is not disposed in a region overlapping the absorbent core in a state stretchable in the transverse direction in a plan view.

2. The pant-type absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent core has the notch at least in a central region in the transverse direction in an end region on the ventral part side.

3. The pant-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the absorbent core has only one missing part in an end region on the ventral part side.

4. The pant-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a width in the transverse direction of the missing part gradually decreases toward the crotch part side.

5. The pant-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the body circumference elastic member located between an end on the crotch part side of the missing part and a longitudinal end on the ventral part side of the absorber in a plan view is a thread-like elastic member and is disposed on the skin-facing surface side of the absorber.

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