Underpants-type absorbent article

The absorbent article addresses discomfort in users with a bent waist by employing asymmetric elongation stresses and elastic member placement to balance dorsal and ventral fit and reduce wrinkles, improving overall wearing comfort.

JP2025113039APending Publication Date: 2025-08-01KAO CORP
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2024007661
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-01-22
Publication Date
2025-08-01

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Pants-type absorbent articles for users with a bent waist often cause discomfort due to uneven stretching, leading to increased pressure on the dorsal side and wrinkles on the ventral side, compromising wearing comfort and fit.

Method used

The design includes a ventral and dorsal outer body with asymmetric elongation stresses, where the dorsal side has higher lateral elongation stress and lacks elastic members at the waist end, while the ventral side has no elastic members adjacent to the waist end, and the waist end portion is shorter than other regions, ensuring balanced fit and reduced wrinkles.

Benefits of technology

This design enhances wearing comfort for users with a bent waist by minimizing dorsal stretching and ventral wrinkles, maintaining a high level of fit and reducing skin discomfort.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To provide an underpants-type absorbent article capable of achieving both of improvement of wearing comfort and fitting property of a wearer with a bent back.SOLUTION: A waist end part 6 includes elastic members 45 fixed to the surface of sheet materials 41, 42 constituting a girth part 5 and stretchable in a lateral direction Y. At least a waist end part adjacent region 7 of a front outer body side 4F is a region where the elastic members 45 are not disposed. An absorbent core 24 is not disposed in the waist end part 6 and the waist end part adjacent region 7. A back side outer body side 4R has larger tensile stress in the lateral direction Y of the waist end part 6 than the front side outer body side 4F. In the natural state of an underpants-type absorbent article 1, the waist end part 6 has a shorter overall length in a waist circumferential direction than other regions of the waist part 5 other than the waist end part 6.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pants-type disposable diaper and other pants-type absorbent articles.

Background Art

[0002] Typically, a pants-type disposable diaper 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 torso. 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 fit to the wearer's body, and the entire body circumference portion has elasticity in the body circumference direction.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes that in a pants-type disposable diaper, a low-elasticity region having a lower elongation stress than the remaining portion of the stretchable sheet is formed in a part of the stretchable sheet constituting the rear waist panel (corresponding to the dorsal outer wrapper) that faces the absorbent core. According to the diaper described in the patent document, the entire waist region (corresponding to the body circumference portion) has an appropriate fit, does not inhibit the liquid absorption performance in the region where the absorbent core is present, and it is said that there is no possibility of deformation such as wrinkles occurring in the graphic sheet disposed in the region where the absorbent core is present in the waist region.

[0004] Patent Document 2 describes that in order to solve the problem that the crotch portion becomes puffy during wearing in a conventional pants-type disposable diaper, a bent fitting portion that bends so as to enter the wearer's gluteal cleft is provided at the portion facing the gluteal cleft in the back body, and a lifting elastic member that exerts a contracting force in the longitudinal direction component so as to lift the crotch portion toward the waist side is provided in the front body and the back body, and the tensile stress during elastic deformation in the longitudinal direction in the front body is made larger than that in the back body.

[0005] In Patent Document 3, in the region having a side seal portion in the front body of the pants-type disposable diaper, in order from the waist opening to the leg opening, a front waist edge region, an ilium contact region, and a lower abdomen contact region are arranged, and regarding the tensile force during lateral elastic deformation of these regions, the magnitude relationship of lower abdomen contact region > front waist edge region > ilium contact region is established. According to the diaper described in Patent Document 3, the rear lower end side region corresponding to the lower abdomen contact region in the rear body is strongly pulled forward by the lower abdomen contact region and is expanded in the left-right direction, and the movement toward the gluteal cleft side is suppressed, so it is said that the displacement of the three-dimensional gathers in the rear body can be prevented.

[0006] In Patent Document 4, in the body circumference portion of the pants-type disposable diaper, in order from the waist opening to the leg opening, a first elastic region, a second elastic region, and a third elastic region are arranged, the shrinkage rate of the second elastic region is made smaller than the shrinkage rates of the first and third elastic regions, and when the first to third elastic regions are in an elastically relaxed state, the second elastic region is curved toward the outside of the diaper. According to the diaper described in Patent Document 4, when an elderly person wears this, it is said that the curved second elastic region can be grasped with a finger and easily pulled up.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] In recent years, the aging population has increased, and the number of scenes where users with a bent waist wear pants-type absorbent articles has been on the rise. Usually, in pants-type absorbent articles, the outer body constituting the torso circumference portion contracts in the torso circumference direction. When a user with a bent waist wears a conventional pants-type absorbent article, a stronger body pressure is applied to the dorsal outer body than to the ventral outer body in the torso circumference direction of the outer body, and the dorsal outer body is stretched more strongly than the ventral outer body. Then, in some cases, the dorsal outer body becomes taut and stretched in the torso circumference direction, and the user feels discomfort such as tightness due to the inability of the dorsal part of the diaper to stretch further. In addition, in the ventral outer body, a large number of wrinkles gather, and the user is also more likely to perceive a sense of discomfort due to the hard feeling of the part where the wrinkles gather. However, a pants-type absorbent article that can improve the wearing comfort of a user with a bent waist while maintaining fit has not been provided yet.

[0009] An object of the present invention relates to providing a pants-type absorbent article that can achieve both improved wearing comfort and fit for a user with a bent waist.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] The present invention includes an absorbent core and an outer body disposed on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent core. The outer body includes a ventral outer body disposed on the ventral side of the user and a dorsal outer body disposed on the dorsal side of the user. It has a longitudinal direction extending from the ventral outer body toward the dorsal outer body, a transverse direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, and a torso circumference direction along the torso circumference of the user during wearing. A pants-type absorbent article in which a side region of the ventral outer body and a side region of the dorsal outer body are joined to form an annular torso circumference portion, a waist opening, and a pair of leg openings disposed around the torso circumference of the user. In one embodiment of the pants-type absorbent article of the present invention, the torso circumference portion has a waist end portion that defines the waist opening and has elasticity in the transverse direction, and a waist end portion adjacent region adjacent to the waist end portion in the longitudinal direction. The waist end portion includes an elastic member that is fixed to the surface of the sheet material constituting the body circumferential portion and is stretchable in the lateral direction, and it is preferable that at least the region adjacent to the waist end portion of the ventral outer body does not have the elastic member disposed therein. In one embodiment of the pant-type absorbent article of the present invention, it is preferable that the absorbent core is not disposed at the waist end portion and the region adjacent to the waist end portion. In one embodiment of the pant-type absorbent article of the present invention, it is preferable that the dorsal outer body has a greater lateral elongation stress at the waist end portion than the ventral outer body. In one embodiment of the pant-type absorbent article of the present invention, in the natural state of the pant-type absorbent article, it is preferable that the total length of the waist end portion in the body circumferential direction is shorter than that of other regions in the body circumferential portion other than the waist end portion. Other features, effects, and embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, there is provided a pant-type absorbent article that can achieve both an improved wearing comfort for a wearer with a bent waist and a high level of fit.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0013] FIGS. 1 to 5 show a pant-type disposable diaper 1 which is an embodiment of the pant-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 side of the absorbent core 24.

[0014] In this specification, the "skin-facing side" is the side of the absorbent article or its component member (for example, the absorber) that faces the wearer's skin side when the absorbent article is worn, that is, the side relatively close to the wearer's skin, and the "non-skin facing side" is the side 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 far from the wearer's skin. Here, the "when worn" means a normal proper wearing position, that is, a state in which the correct wearing position of the absorbent article is maintained.

[0015] 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 inseam 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, 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.

[0016] The diaper 1 has a longitudinal direction X extending from the ventral outer body 4F toward the dorsal outer body 4R, a transverse direction Y orthogonal to the longitudinal direction X, and a body circumferential direction along the wearer's body circumference during wear. The longitudinal direction X corresponds to the direction extending from the ventral side of the wearer through the crotch to the dorsal side. The transverse direction Y corresponds to the body circumferential direction along the wearer's body circumference during wear.

[0017] 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 part 5 disposed around the wearer's body circumference, 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 parts S, S which are the joining parts of 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 of the ventral outer body 4F and the dorsal outer body 4R in the side seal part S is not particularly limited, and examples include fusion by heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, etc.; adhesion by an adhesive.

[0018] The body circumferential part 5 is a region in the diaper 1 that is in the same position as the side seal part S in the longitudinal direction X, in other words, a region sandwiched between the pair of side seal parts S, S. Also, in the outer body 4, the part constituting the body circumferential part 5 of the ventral part F is the ventral outer body 4F, the part constituting the body circumferential part 5 of the dorsal part R is the dorsal outer body 4R, and the rest is the crotch outer body 4M.

[0019] 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 wear, a dorsal part R disposed on the dorsal side of the wearer, and a crotch part M positioned 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.

[0020] In this specification, the "deployed and maximum extended state" refers to 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 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 the absorbent article is expanded in a planar shape.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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 is made to coincide with the vertical direction X of the diaper 1, and it is arranged at the center in 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 arranged at a position relatively close to the wearer's skin, a liquid-impermeable back sheet 22 arranged at a position 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 fluid, 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.

[0023] 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 nonwoven fabrics and perforated films. Examples of the back sheet 22 include resin films and laminates of resin films and nonwoven 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 nonwoven fabrics. In this 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. 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.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 3, a pair of leakage-preventing 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 leakage-preventing cuff 3 includes a liquid-impermeable cuff sheet that forms the main body of the leakage-preventing cuff 3 and a filamentous elastic member for the cuff fixed to the cuff sheet. The cuff sheet has a band 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 package 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 fixing portion to other members as the standing base end so that the free edge portion of the leakage-preventing cuff approaches the wearer's body. By thus standing up the pair of leakage-preventing cuffs 3, 3, the lateral outward flow of excreta such as urine is blocked.

[0025] The outer package 4 (including the ventral outer package 4F, the lower-leg 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 torso elastic members 45 and filamentous leg 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 FIG. 4, 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 torso elastic member 45 disposed between both sheets 41 and 42, these plurality of members are joined by the adhesive.

[0026] 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 torso 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.

[0027] As the outer layer sheet 41 and the inner layer sheet 42, those used as the sheet materials constituting the outer package in this type of absorbent article can be used without particular limitation, and for example, nonwoven fabrics produced by various manufacturing methods can be used. Each of the two sheets 41 and 42 may be a stretch sheet having stretchability in the lateral direction Y, or may be a non-stretch sheet having no stretchability. As an example of the stretch sheet, a "stretch sheet formed by joining a plurality of elastic filaments arranged to extend in one direction without intersecting each other to a stretchable nonwoven fabric containing non-elastic 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 layer sheet 41 can be the specific stretch sheet, and the inner layer sheet 42 can be a non-stretch sheet. In the present embodiment, both sheets 41 and 42 do not have stretchability.

[0028] A plurality of body circumferential elastic members 45 are arranged in the body circumferential portion 5 (ventral outer package 4F and dorsal outer package 4R). The plurality of body circumferential elastic members 45 extend in the lateral direction Y between a pair of side seal portions S, S and are intermittently arranged in the longitudinal direction X. The body circumferential elastic member 45 is 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 the sheet materials constituting the body circumferential portion 5, has elastic stretchability in the lateral direction Y, and is 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 body circumferential elastic member 45, a plurality of folds (gathers) extending in a direction intersecting the extending direction (lateral direction Y) of the body circumferential elastic member 45 are formed on the surfaces (skin-facing surface and non-skin-facing surface) of the body circumferential portion 5.

[0029] The body circumferential portion 5 has stretchability in the lateral direction Y due to the elastic stretchability of the body circumferential elastic member 45, excluding the arrangement region of the absorbent core 24 (the region overlapping the projection of the absorbent core 24 in the thickness direction in the body circumferential portion 5). In the arrangement region of the absorbent core 24 in the body circumferential portion 5, the body circumferential elastic member 45 is processed so that the elastic stretchability of the body circumferential elastic member 45 does not appear, such as being divided.

[0030] The leg-around elastic member 46 is disposed 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 exterior body 4F and the dorsal exterior 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 disposed along the side edges of the crotch exterior 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 disposed portion, and is in a contracted state 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.

[0031] 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 portion 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 exterior body 4F and the dorsal exterior body 4R. Further, as described above, a folded-back portion 41F of the outer layer sheet 41 exists at the waist end portion 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 that constitute the two-layer structure. Also, a body-around elastic member 45 is disposed 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) that come into contact with it by known joining means such as an adhesive or heat fusion.

[0032] 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 contacting the wearer's skin. As the auxiliary sheet 43, a sheet material having a sweat-absorbing function can be used, for example, a non-woven fabric.

[0033] 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 the used diaper 1 is rolled up. 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.

[0034] Hereinafter, the body circumference portion 5, which is the main characteristic part of the diaper 1, will be described in detail. The body circumference portion 5 has a waist end portion 6 that defines a waist opening WH and has elasticity in the lateral direction Y, and a waist end portion 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 (the ventral body circumference portion 5) including the ventral outer body 4F and the waist end portion 6 of the body circumference portion 5 (the dorsal body circumference portion 5) including the dorsal outer body 4R are in the same position in the longitudinal direction X. The waist end portion adjacent region 7 of the ventral body circumference portion 5 and the waist end portion adjacent region 7 of the dorsal body circumference portion 5 are in the same position in the longitudinal direction X. 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 a "specific elastic member"). In contrast, the waist end portion adjacent 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 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 and the inner layer sheet 42, which are sheet materials constituting the body circumference portion 5, and stretchable in the lateral direction Y.

[0035] As is apparent 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 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 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".

[0036] 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 longer is the region adjacent to the waist end portion 7. The region adjacent to the waist end portion 7 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.

[0037] Since the waist end adjacent area 7 does not include a specific elastic member, when a non-elastic 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 part 5, the waist end adjacent area 7 is a non-elastic area that does not have 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 part 5, the waist end adjacent area 7 has elasticity in the lateral direction Y, but the elongation stress of the waist end adjacent area 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 part 5 has elasticity in the lateral direction Y, between the waist end 6 and the waist end adjacent area 7 adjacent thereto, with respect to the elongation stress in the lateral direction Y, the relationship of waist end 6 > waist end adjacent area 7 holds.

[0038] The absorbent core 24 is not disposed in the waist end 6 and the waist end adjacent area 7. In other words, as shown in FIG. 3, in the body circumferential part 5 of each of the ventral part F and the dorsal part R, the waist end 6 and the waist end adjacent area 7 are located outward in the longitudinal direction X from the longitudinal end 24X of the absorbent core 24 and its virtual extension line.

[0039] The diaper 1 is characterized in having the following configurations A to C. · Configuration A: The dorsal exterior body 4R has a greater elongation stress in the lateral direction Y of the waist end 6 than the ventral exterior body 4F. · Configuration B: The body circumferential part 5 includes a specific elastic member (body circumferential elastic member 45) and has a waist end adjacent area 7 at a position adjacent to the waist end 6 having elasticity in the lateral direction Y in the longitudinal direction X, and at least the waist end adjacent area 7 of the ventral exterior body 4F has no specific elastic member disposed therein. · Configuration C: In the natural state of the diaper 1, that is, in a state where no external force acts on the diaper 1, the waist end 6 has a shorter total length in the body circumferential direction than other areas of the body circumferential part 5 other than the waist end 6. In other words, in the natural state of the diaper 1, the total length of the waist end 6 in the body circumferential direction is shorter than the maximum length of the total length of other areas of the body circumferential part 5 in the body circumferential direction.

[0040] In the present invention, the configuration A is adopted in the diaper 1, and regarding the elongation stress in the lateral direction Y of the waist end portion 6, as shown in FIG. 5, the elongation stress Fr of the back exterior body 4R > the elongation stress Ff of the front exterior body 4F is established. Therefore, the force that pulls the side seal portion S toward the back exterior body 4R side is greater than the force that pulls the side seal portion S toward the front exterior body 4F side. As a result, the degree of contraction in the lateral direction Y of the back exterior body 4R is greater than that of the front exterior body 4F. Thereby, wrinkles are more likely to occur in the back exterior body 4R, and wrinkles are relatively reduced in the front exterior body 4F.

[0041] Furthermore, in the present invention, the configuration B is adopted, and a specific elastic member (the body circumference elastic member 45), which is the cause of wrinkle generation, is excluded from at least the area adjacent to the waist end portion of the front exterior body 4F. By combining this configuration with the configuration A, in particular, wrinkles in the area adjacent to the waist end portion 7 of the front exterior body 4F and in its vicinity are easily reduced. When the wearer of the diaper 1 is a person with a bent waist, the area adjacent to the waist end portion 7 of the front exterior body 4F and its vicinity are particularly areas where body pressure is likely to be applied. Therefore, if wrinkles occur on the skin-facing surface of this area, the skin contact of this area deteriorates, leading to a decrease in wearing comfort. Thus, reducing the wrinkles in this area is extremely effective in improving the wearing comfort. In the present embodiment, in addition to the area adjacent to the waist end portion 7 of the front exterior body 4F, the specific elastic member is also excluded from the area adjacent to the waist end portion 7 of the back exterior body 4R. Therefore, wrinkles in the area adjacent to the waist end portion 7 are reduced not only on the front side but also on the back side, further improving the wearing comfort.

[0042] Also, when the configurations A and B are adopted, generally, the fit on the front side tends to deteriorate. However, in the diaper 1, the configuration C is adopted, and the total length of the waist end portion 6 in the body circumference direction in the natural state of the diaper 1 is shorter than that of other areas of the body circumference portion 5 including the area adjacent to the waist end portion 7. For this reason, in the diaper 1, the fit of the waist end portion 6 is higher than that of conventional disposable diapers of this type.

[0043] FIG. 6 shows a state where a wearer with a bent waist is wearing the diaper 1. As shown in FIG. 6, in the diaper 1, due to the high elongation stress and elongation allowance of the back exterior body 4R according to Configuration A, even if the back is stretched more due to the waist bend, it is possible to avoid the state where the back exterior body 4R is stretched to its limit. For this reason, the back exterior body 4R can be deformed following the movements and postures of the wearer. For example, during the diaper 1 wearing operation, the back exterior body 4R may be stretched to its limit in the lateral direction Y, and as a result, inconveniences such as the inability to properly wear the diaper 1 can be avoided, and the wearing comfort can be improved. Also, due to Configurations A and B, wrinkles are less likely to occur on the ventral side during wearing, and due to Configuration D, excellent fitting feelings can be obtained not only on the back side but also on the ventral side.

[0044] Such asymmetric elongation characteristics between the ventral side and the dorsal side in the torso circumference part are not seen in conventional general pants-type disposable diapers. In a conventional pants-type disposable diaper, as represented by the diaper 1Z shown in FIG. 7, since the elongation stress Ff of the ventral exterior body 4F = the elongation stress Fr of the dorsal exterior body 4R, the force pulling the side seal part S to the dorsal exterior body 4R side and the force pulling it to the ventral exterior body 4F side are the same. Therefore, the occurrence situation of wrinkles C on the surface of the torso circumference part 5 is about the same between the ventral exterior body 4F and the dorsal exterior body 4R. When this conventional diaper 1Z is worn by a wearer with a bent waist, while the dorsal exterior body 4R is strongly stretched, the ventral exterior body 4 is compressed, resulting in wrinkles gathering on the ventral side, leading to poor wearing comfort. In particular, the back waist end part 6 and the area adjacent to the waist end part 7 are areas where the absorbent core 24 that can function as a cushion for dispersing the body pressure of the wearer is not arranged. Therefore, the part of the wearer's skin that comes into contact with the absorbent core non-arrangement area is easily affected by the elongation state of the exterior body in the absorbent core non-arrangement area, and is likely to lead to poor wearing comfort.

[0045] From the perspective of ensuring the effects of the above-described Configuration A more reliably, the ratio of the tensile stress in the lateral direction Y of the waist end portion 6 of the ventral exterior body 4F to that of the dorsal exterior body 4R is preferably 1.1 or more, more preferably 1.2 or more, and preferably 2.0 or less, more preferably 1.9 or less, on the premise that the former < the latter, expressed as the former / latter. On the premise that the tensile stress in the lateral direction Y of the waist end portion 6 of the ventral exterior body 4F is smaller than that of the dorsal exterior body 4R, it is preferably 12.0 cN / mm or more, more preferably 12.2 cN / mm or more, and preferably 13.6 cN / mm or less, more preferably 13.5 cN / mm or less. On the premise that the tensile stress in the lateral direction Y of the waist end portion 6 of the dorsal exterior body 4R is larger than that of the ventral exterior body 4F, it is preferably 13.8 cN / mm or more, more preferably 14.0 cN / mm or more, and preferably 20.0 cN / mm or less, more preferably 19.0 cN / mm or less. The tensile stress in the lateral direction Y of each part of the body circumference portion 5 is measured by the following method.

[0046] The above-mentioned "tensile stress" is the load required to extend a certain length of each part (e.g., the waist end portion 6) of the body circumference portion 5 along its expansion and contraction direction (lateral direction Y). The larger the value of the tensile stress, the more difficult it is for the corresponding part to extend. The tensile stress is measured by the following method. The tensile stress in the lateral direction Y of each part of the body circumference portion 5 can be adjusted by appropriately adjusting the type, thickness, and arrangement (number of arrangements, arrangement intervals, etc.) of the elastic member (body circumference elastic member 45) that can expand and contract in the lateral direction Y and is arranged in that part.

[0047] <Method for Measuring Tensile Stress> Taking as an example the case where the disposable absorbent article to be measured is the diaper 1 described above. First, separate the ventral outer body 4F and the dorsal outer body 4R joined at the side seal part S, unfold the diaper 1 and spread it out flat, and cut out a measurement target area along a straight line parallel to the lateral direction Y of the diaper 1 to obtain a measurement sample. For example, when the measurement target area is the waist end 6, referring to FIG. 3, in the longitudinal direction X, with the longitudinal end 1X of the diaper 1 (the opening end of the waist opening WH) as the upper end, and among the elastic members 45 located between the longitudinal end 1X and the waist end adjacent area 7, a virtual straight line extending in the lateral direction Y passing through a position 2 mm away from the elastic member 45 closest to the waist end adjacent area 7 toward the waist end adjacent area 7 side is used as the lower end, and a quadrangular area in plan view is cut out from the diaper 1 to obtain a measurement sample of the waist end 6. Before measuring the elongation stress, measure the length in the direction corresponding to the lateral direction Y of the measurement sample and the length in the direction corresponding to the longitudinal direction X. Clamp both ends (side seal S or its vicinity) in the longitudinal direction (lateral direction Y of the diaper 1) of the measurement sample on the chuck of a tensile testing machine (for example, the Tensilon universal testing machine "RTC-1210A" manufactured by Orientec Co., Ltd.). At this time, the distance between the chucks is set to 100 mm. Then, after extending the measurement sample at a speed of 300 mm / min until the distance between the chucks becomes 240 mm, perform an operation to return the distance between the chucks to 100 mm to contract the measurement sample, and take the tensile load (cN) at the time when the distance between the chucks is 240 mm as the elongation stress of the measurement sample. The elongation stress of the measurement sample is calculated as the average elongation stress by converting it per unit length in the direction orthogonal to the tensile direction (longitudinal direction of the measurement sample) of the measurement target area (longitudinal direction X of the diaper 1). For one measurement target area (for example, the waist end 6), prepare three measurement samples, measure their elongation stresses, and take their average as the elongation stress in the lateral direction Y of the measurement target area.

[0048] Regarding the above-described Configuration A, as an example of a method for establishing a magnitude relationship of the stretching stress in the lateral direction Y of the waist end portion 6 such that the ventral exterior body 4F < the dorsal exterior body 4R, instead of making the elongation rates of the specific elastic members (the torso circumference elastic members 45) at the waist end portion 6 the same between the ventral exterior body 4F and the dorsal exterior body 4R, there is a method (Method A1) for establishing a magnitude relationship of the ventral exterior body 4F < the dorsal exterior body 4R with respect to the number per unit length in the longitudinal direction X of the specific elastic members (for example, the number per 30 mm of the length in the longitudinal direction X). As another example of the above-described method, instead of making the number per unit length in the longitudinal direction X of the specific elastic members at the waist end portion 6 the same between the ventral exterior body 4F and the dorsal exterior body 4R, there is a method (Method A2) for establishing a magnitude relationship of the ventral exterior body 4F < the dorsal exterior body 4R with respect to the elongation rate of the specific elastic members.

[0049] In the present embodiment, Method A1 is adopted. As shown in FIG. 4, the dorsal exterior body 4R has a greater number per unit length in the longitudinal direction X of the torso circumference elastic members 45 (specific elastic members) at the waist end portion 6 than the ventral exterior body 4F. The ratio of the number per unit length in the longitudinal direction X of the torso circumference elastic members 45 at the waist end portion 6 of the ventral exterior body 4F to the number per unit length in the longitudinal direction X of the torso circumference elastic members 45 at the waist end portion 6 of the dorsal exterior body 4R is preferably 0.4 or more, more preferably 0.5 or more, and preferably 0.9 or less, more preferably 0.85 or less, on the premise that the former < the latter, and is expressed as the former / latter. On the premise that the number per unit length in the longitudinal direction X of the torso circumference elastic members 45 at the waist end portion 6 of the ventral exterior body 4F is less than that of the dorsal exterior body 4R, it is preferably 4 pieces / 30 mm or more, more preferably 5 pieces / 30 mm or more, and preferably 9 pieces / 30 mm or less, more preferably 8 pieces / 30 mm or less. On the premise that the number per unit length in the longitudinal direction X of the torso circumference elastic members 45 at the waist end portion 6 of the dorsal exterior body 4R is greater than that of the ventral exterior body 4F, it is preferably 6 pieces / 30 mm or more, more preferably 7 pieces / 30 mm or more, and preferably 12 pieces / 30 mm or less, more preferably 10 pieces / 30 mm or less.

[0050] From the viewpoint of more surely achieving the operational effects of the above-described configuration C, on the premise that the total length in the body circumferential direction of the waist end portion 6 in the natural state of the diaper 1 is shorter than the maximum length of the total length in the body circumferential direction of the other regions of the body circumferential portion 5 in the same state, the ratio of the former to the latter, expressed as the former / latter, is preferably 0.4 or more, more preferably 0.5 or more, and preferably 0.9 or less, more preferably 0.8 or less. On the premise that the total length in the body circumferential direction of the waist end portion 6 in the natural state of the diaper 1 is shorter than the maximum length of the total length in the body circumferential direction of the other regions of the body circumferential portion 5 in the same state, it is preferably 180 mm or more, more preferably 190 mm or more, and preferably 270 mm or less, more preferably 260 mm or less.

[0051] Regarding the above-described configuration C, as an example of a method of making the total length in the body circumferential direction of the waist end portion 6 in the natural state of the diaper 1 the shortest in the body circumferential portion 5, instead of making the elongation rate of a specific elastic member (the body circumferential elastic member 45) the same between the waist end portion 6 and the other regions of the body circumferential portion 5, a method of establishing a magnitude relationship of the number per unit length in the longitudinal direction X of the specific elastic member such that the waist end portion 6 > the other regions can be mentioned. As another example of the above method, instead of making the number per unit length in the longitudinal direction X of the specific elastic member the same between the waist end portion 6 and the other regions of the body circumferential portion 5, a method of establishing a magnitude relationship of the elongation rate of the specific elastic member such that the waist end portion 6 > the other regions can be mentioned. The total length in the body circumferential direction of each part of the body circumferential portion 5 can be measured using a measuring tool or the like.

[0052] In the deployed and maximum stretched state of the diaper 1, the length in the longitudinal direction X of the waist end portion 6 is preferably 20 mm or more, more preferably 25 mm or more, and preferably 45 mm or less, more preferably 40 mm or less. In the deployed and maximum stretched state of the diaper 1, the length in the longitudinal direction X of the waist end adjacent region 7 is preferably 18 mm or more, more preferably 20 mm or more, and preferably 60 mm or less, more preferably 55 mm or less.

[0053] Of the two longitudinal ends in the longitudinal direction X of the waist end portion 6, the outer end in the longitudinal direction X (the end in the longitudinal direction X farthest from the longitudinal center line CLx) is the longitudinal end 1X of the diaper 1, and the inner end in the longitudinal direction X (the end in the longitudinal direction X closest to the longitudinal center line CLx) is the boundary with the waist end adjacent region 7. Therefore, the "length in the longitudinal direction X of the waist end portion 6 in the deployed and maximum extended state of the diaper 1" can be measured by measuring the length along the longitudinal direction X between the outer end and the inner end in the same state. Here, as described above, the waist end adjacent region 7 is the region where the interval in the longitudinal direction X between the specific elastic members (the body circumference elastic members 45) first becomes long when the body circumference portion 5 is observed in order from the waist opening WH to the leg opening LH. Therefore, the boundary between the waist end portion 6 and the waist end adjacent region 7 (the inner end in the longitudinal direction X of the waist end portion 6) is a specific elastic member that is located closer to the waist opening WH than the region and adjacent to the region. Also, as described above, the waist end adjacent region 7 is the region where the interval first becomes long when the body circumference portion 5 is observed in order from the waist opening WH to the leg opening LH. Therefore, the "length in the longitudinal direction X of the waist end adjacent region 7 in the deployed and maximum extended state of the diaper 1" can be measured by measuring the length along the longitudinal direction X of the region in the same state.

[0054] In the present embodiment, the body circumference portion 5 has a non-arrangement region of the second specific elastic member (the body circumference elastic member 45) separately from the waist end adjacent region 7, at least in the ventral outer body. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the ventral outer body 4F (the ventral body circumference portion 5) and the dorsal outer body 4R (the dorsal body circumference portion 5) each have, in order from the waist opening WH to the leg opening LH, a waist end portion 6, a waist end adjacent region 7, an intermediate portion 8, an intermediate portion adjacent region 9, and an under crotch end portion 10. Here, the waist end portion 6, the intermediate portion 8, and the under crotch end portion 10 all include the body circumference elastic member 45, while the waist end adjacent region 7 and the intermediate portion adjacent region 9 do not include the body circumference elastic member 45. As a result, the intermediate portion adjacent region 9 is a non-arrangement region of the second specific elastic member. In this way, since there are a plurality of non-arrangement regions of the specific elastic member in the body circumference portion 5, wrinkles are more effectively suppressed from occurring on the surface of the body circumference portion 5, particularly the ventral portion, so that the effect of improving the wearing comfort of a wearer with a bent waist can be further improved.

[0055] The middle portion 8 of the ventral body circumference portion 5 and the middle portion 8 of the dorsal side are at the same position in the longitudinal direction X. The middle portion adjacent region 9 of the ventral body circumference portion 5 and the middle portion adjacent region 9 of the dorsal body circumference portion 5 are at the same position in the longitudinal direction X. The crotch-side end portion 10 of the ventral body circumference portion 5 and the crotch-side end portion 10 of the dorsal body circumference portion 5 are at the same position in the longitudinal direction X.

[0056] The body circumference elastic member 45 is disposed between the auxiliary sheet 43 and the outer layer sheet 41 at the waist end portion 6, and is disposed between the outer layer sheet 41 and the inner layer sheet 42 at the crotch-side end portion 10, while at the middle portion 8, it is disposed between the inner layer sheet 42 and the auxiliary sheet 43. The elongation stress in the lateral direction Y of each of the middle portion 8 and the crotch-side end portion 10 can be appropriately set within a range that does not inhibit the diaper 1 from having the configuration C.

[0057] In the middle part 8, a plurality of circumferential elastic members 45 are arranged at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction X. On the other hand, the length in the longitudinal direction X of the region adjacent to the middle part 9, that is, the region located closer to the leg opening LH (longitudinal center line CLx) than the middle part 8 and where the circumferential elastic members 45 are not arranged, is longer than the interval in the longitudinal direction X between the circumferential elastic members 45 in the middle part 8. Therefore, when observing the circumferential part 5 in order from the waist opening WH toward the leg opening LH, the region where the interval first becomes long (the region adjacent to the waist end 7), the region where the interval becomes narrow (the middle part 8) are confirmed in this order, and then the region where the interval becomes wide is the region adjacent to the middle part 9. The length in the longitudinal direction X of the region adjacent to the middle part 9 in the unfolded and maximum extended state of the diaper 1 is shorter than the length in the longitudinal direction X of the region adjacent to the waist end 7 in the same state. The region adjacent to the middle part 9 is a site where wrinkles that cause bedsores are relatively likely to occur on the surface due to including the overlapping part with the absorbent core 24. By establishing such a magnitude relationship with the region adjacent to the waist end 7, the generation of wrinkles can be more effectively suppressed. From the point of further enhancing the effect of providing the middle part 8 and the region adjacent to the middle part 9, in the unfolded and maximum extended state of the diaper 1, the length in the longitudinal direction X of the middle part 8 is preferably 8 mm or more, more preferably 10 mm or more, and preferably 30 mm or less, more preferably 28 mm or less. Also from the same viewpoint, the length in the longitudinal direction X of the region adjacent to the middle part 9 is preferably 7 mm or more, more preferably 9 mm or more, and preferably 32 mm or less, more preferably 30 mm or less.

[0058] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, at least in the region 7 adjacent to the waist end of the ventral outer cover 4F, there is a non-adhesive region where no adhesive is applied between two opposing sheet materials of the outer cover 4F. The "two opposing sheet materials" may be any sheet materials existing in a region overlapping, in plan view, with the non-disposed region of the specific elastic member, regardless of their positions in the thickness direction. In the present embodiment, the "two opposing sheet materials" are the outer layer sheet 41 and the inner layer sheet 42. The non-adhesive region 44 is a region where no adhesive is applied, and in the non-adhesive region 44, the two opposing sheet materials are not joined. In the example shown in FIG. 4, in the region 7 adjacent to the waist end of the ventral outer cover 4F, which is a non-disposed region of the specific elastic member (the body circumference elastic member 45), there is a non-adhesive region 44 between the outer layer sheet 41 and the inner layer sheet 42 facing the outer layer sheet 41. In the present embodiment, not only in the region 7 adjacent to the waist end of the ventral outer cover 4F, but also in the region 7 adjacent to the waist end of the dorsal outer cover 4R, there is a non-adhesive region 44. The adhesive region 40 is harder than a region where no adhesive is applied, such as the non-adhesive region 44. Therefore, when a wearer with a bent waist wears a conventional pant-type absorbent article, if there is a hard adhesive region 40 particularly in the region 7 adjacent to the waist end of the ventral outer cover 4F where body pressure is likely to be applied, the skin contact is poor, which may lead to a sense of discomfort during wearing. On the other hand, when the non-adhesive region 44 is arranged in the region 7 adjacent to the waist end of the ventral outer cover 4F, the sense of discomfort during wearing caused by the existence of such an adhesive region is suppressed. In combination with the wrinkle suppression effect due to the adoption of Configuration B, that is, the non-adhesive region 44 being set as the non-disposed region of the specific elastic member, the region 7 adjacent to the waist end of the ventral outer cover 4F has few wrinkles and the original flexibility of the sheet material is maintained, further enhancing the effect of improving the wearing comfort of a wearer with a bent waist. In the present embodiment, since the non-adhesive region 44 exists not only in the region 7 adjacent to the waist end of the ventral outer cover 4F but also in the region 7 adjacent to the waist end of the dorsal outer cover 4R, the entire body circumference direction of the region 7 adjacent to the waist end of the outer cover 4 is less wrinkled and flexible, so that the diaper 1 as a whole is considered to have good wearing comfort.

[0059] In this embodiment, the two sheet materials that faced each other in a non-adhered state in the waist end adjacent region 7 were the outer layer sheet 41 and the inner layer sheet 42, but it is not limited to this, and the space between the inner layer sheet 42 and the auxiliary sheet 43 may be in a non-adhered state. In this embodiment, an adhesion region 40 and a non-adhesion region 44 are mixed between the outer layer sheet 41 and the inner layer sheet 42, which are the "two sheet materials facing each other", and the two sheets 41 and 42 are joined at the adhesion region 40.

[0060] Furthermore, from the viewpoint of making the above-described effects more certain, in the deployed and maximally extended state of the diaper 1, the length of the non-adhesion region 44 in the longitudinal direction X is preferably 38 mm or more, more preferably 40 mm or more, and preferably 170 mm or less, more preferably 160 mm or less.

[0061] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, not only in the waist end adjacent region 7 but also in the intermediate portion adjacent region 9, which is a non-arrangement region of the second specific elastic member (the body circumferential elastic member 45), there is a region where the two sheets facing each other are non-adhered. In the example of FIG. 4, in the intermediate portion adjacent region 9, there is a non-adhesion region 44 between the outer layer sheet 41 and the inner layer sheet 42 facing the sheet 41. Thus, in this embodiment, since the non-adhesion region 44 is arranged in any of the non-arrangement regions of the plurality of specific elastic members, the non-arrangement region of the specific elastic member has few wrinkles and the original flexibility of the sheet material is maintained, and the effect of improving the wearing comfort of a wearer with a bent waist is further enhanced. The two sheets that faced each other in a non-adhered state in the intermediate portion adjacent region 9 were the outer layer sheet 41 and the inner layer sheet 42, but it is not limited to this, and the space between the inner layer sheet 42 and the auxiliary sheet 43 may be in a non-adhered state. Incidentally, in each of the ventral exterior body 4F and the dorsal exterior body 4R, the non-adhesive region 44 described above is preferably a region where, in the deployed and maximum extended state of the disposable diaper 1, 50% or more of the maximum length L (Fig. 3) in the lateral direction Y of the exterior body is a region where at least two sheets facing each other are non-adhesive, and more preferably 70% or more is a region where at least two sheets facing each other are non-adhesive, and it may be a region where portions other than the side seal portions S, S are non-adhesive.

[0062] 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 embodiments. In the above embodiment, the exterior body 4 is in a form in which the ventral exterior body 4F, the crotch exterior body 4M, and the dorsal exterior body 4R are integrated and continuous over the entire length in the longitudinal direction X of the disposable diaper 1. However, instead of this, a form may be adopted in which the crotch exterior body 4M is not provided, and the ventral exterior body 4F and the dorsal exterior body 4R are arranged apart from each other in the longitudinal direction X. In that case, the absorbent main body 2 is fixed so as to span between both exterior bodies 4F, 4R.

[0063] Also, in the above embodiment, in the dorsal exterior body 4R and the ventral exterior body 4F, both the waist end adjacent region 7 and the middle part adjacent region 9 are regions where the specific elastic member is not arranged and have non-adhesive regions. However, a specific elastic member may be arranged in the waist end adjacent region 7 and / or the middle part adjacent region 9 of the dorsal exterior body 4R, or it may be an adhesive region.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0064] 1 Disposable diaper 2 Absorbent main body 21 Surface sheet 22 Back sheet 23 Absorbent 24 Absorbent core 25 Skin-side core wrap sheet 26 Non-skin-side core wrap sheet 3 Leakage-preventing cuff 4 Exterior body 4F Ventral exterior body 4M Crotch exterior body 4R dorsal exterior body 40 bonding region 41 outer layer sheet 41F folded-back portion of the outer layer sheet 42 inner layer sheet 43 auxiliary sheet 44 non-bonding region 45 body circumference elastic member 46 leg circumference elastic member 47 waste tape 5 body circumference part 6 waist end 7 region adjacent to the waist end 8 middle part 9 region adjacent to the middle part 10 lower crotch end X longitudinal direction Y transverse direction F ventral part M lower thigh part R dorsal part WH waist opening LH leg opening

Claims

1. An absorbent article comprising an absorbent core and an outer cover disposed on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent core, 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, having a longitudinal direction extending from the ventral outer cover toward the dorsal outer cover, a lateral direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, and a circumferential direction along the wearer's torso circumference during wear, wherein a side region of the ventral outer cover and a side region of the dorsal outer cover are joined to form an annular circumferential portion disposed around the wearer's torso, as well as a waist opening and a pair of leg openings, and is a pant-type absorbent article, wherein the circumferential portion has a waist end portion that defines the waist opening and has elasticity in the lateral direction, and a waist end adjacent region adjacent to the waist end portion in the longitudinal direction, wherein the waist end portion is fixed to the surface of the sheet material constituting the circumferential portion and includes an elastic member that is stretchable in the lateral direction, and at least the waist end adjacent region of the ventral outer cover has no such elastic member disposed therein, wherein the absorbent core is not disposed in the waist end portion and the waist end adjacent region, wherein the dorsal outer cover has a greater lateral elongation stress in the waist end portion than the ventral outer cover, and in the natural state of the pant-type absorbent article, the waist end portion has a shorter total length in the circumferential direction than other regions of the circumferential portion other than the waist end portion, and is a pant-type absorbent article.

2. The pant-type absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the dorsal outer cover has a greater number of the elastic members per unit length in the longitudinal direction in the waist end portion than the ventral outer cover.

3. The pant-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the circumferential portion has a second non-disposed region of the elastic member, at least in the ventral outer cover, separate from the waist end adjacent region.

4. The pant-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least in the waist end adjacent region of the ventral outer cover, there is a non-adhesive region where no adhesive is applied between two opposing sheet materials of the outer cover.

5. The pant-type absorbent article according to claim 3, wherein in the second non-disposed region of the elastic member, there is a non-adhesive region where no adhesive is applied between two opposing sheet materials of the outer cover.

Citation Information

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