Absorbent article

Abstract

To provide an absorbent article including a pocket part functioning properly.SOLUTION: An absorbent article includes: a length along a longitudinal direction corresponding to a front-back direction of a wearer; a length along a width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction; a front body region located on a front side of the wearer in the front-back direction; a back body region located on a back side of the wearer; a crotch region located between the front body region and the back body region; an absorbent core for absorbing moisture, having a compressible portion at a center in the width direction of a back-side end, being compressible inward in the width direction; a top sheet disposed on a skin surface side of the absorbent core; and a pocket sheet disposed to overlap a skin surface side of the top sheet in the back body region and whose side in the front body region is not bonded to the top sheet.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an absorbent article. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Absorbent articles having pockets on the outer sides in the longitudinal direction are known (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-140072 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The pocket has an opening on the inside in the longitudinal direction, which guides excreted fluids such as feces and urine flowing outward in the longitudinal direction toward the inside of the pocket, preventing the excreted fluid from reaching the longitudinal ends of the absorbent article. However, if the opening does not open properly, excreted fluid may not enter the pocket but may get between the pocket and the skin surface. Such excreted fluid can cause abdominal leakage or back leakage, causing discomfort to the wearer.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article in which the pocket portion functions properly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An absorbent article according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a length along a longitudinal direction corresponding to the front-to-back direction of a wearer, a length along a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, a front body region located in front of the wearer in the front-to-back direction, a back body region located behind the wearer, a crotch region located between the front body region and the back body region, an absorbent core that absorbs moisture and has a compressible portion at the center of the width direction of the rear end that can be compressed inward in the width direction, a top sheet that is located on the skin-facing side of the absorbent core, and a pocket sheet that is located in the back body region so as to overlap the skin-facing side of the top sheet and whose side facing the front body region is not adhered to the top sheet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, an absorbent article can be provided in which the pocket portion functions properly. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of an absorbent pad according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the absorbent pad according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the absorbent pad according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent pad according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between the notch of the absorbent core and the pocket sheet according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the inner end portion in the longitudinal direction of the pocket sheet according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the relationship between the standing gathers and the pocket sheet according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically illustrating a cross section of an extended region of a pocket sheet according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The following describes an embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment described below is one aspect of the present invention and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0010] First Embodiment In this embodiment, the longitudinal direction of a disposable absorbent pad (an example of an "absorbent article" in this application) is the direction connecting the front body portion facing the wearer's abdomen and the back body portion facing the back. A crotch section, which is positioned between the front body portion (one side in the longitudinal direction) and the back body portion (the other side in the longitudinal direction) (at the center in the longitudinal direction) and is located adjacent to the wearer's crotch area (facing the crotch area). When the absorbent pad is worn on a wearer (hereinafter referred to as the "worn state"), the side facing the wearer's skin (the inner side in the worn state) is the skin-facing side, and the side opposite the skin-facing side (the outer side in the worn state) is the non-skin-facing side. The thickness direction is the direction connecting the skin-facing side and the non-skin-facing side, and the width direction is the direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal and thickness directions. A view from the thickness direction is a plan view. The absorbent pad has a length along the longitudinal direction, which corresponds to the front-to-back direction of the wearer, and a length along the width direction, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, terms relating to directions used in this application refer to directions that correspond to the front, back, left, and right of the wearer when the absorbent pad is worn on the wearer. For example, the front-to-back direction in this application means the direction that corresponds to the front and back of the wearer when the absorbent pad is worn on the wearer, and the left-to-right direction in this application means the direction that corresponds to the left and right of the wearer when the absorbent pad is worn on the wearer.

[0011] 1 is a perspective view of an absorbent pad 1 according to a first embodiment. The absorbent pad 1 is used to absorb and retain liquids such as urine, and can be used alone by placing it on the skin-facing side of underwear, or can be used layered inside a disposable diaper. The absorbent pad 1 has a crotch region 1B corresponding to the crotch area that covers the wearer's genitals when worn, a front body region 1F located in front of the crotch region 1B and corresponding to the front side of the wearer, and a back body region 1R located behind the crotch region 1B and corresponding to the back side of the wearer.

[0012] The absorbent pad 1 has an absorbent body 6, which can absorb and retain liquid, arranged mainly around the crotch region 1B. The absorbent pad 1 also has three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R (an example of a "leak-proof wall" as referred to in this application) arranged mainly around the crotch region 1B of the wearer to prevent the formation of gaps between the absorbent pad 1 and the wearer's skin that could serve as a liquid leakage path. The three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R adhere closely to the wearer's skin due to the elastic force of the elastic members. Therefore, liquid excreted by the wearer is absorbed by the absorbent body 6 without leaking from the diaper 1. The elastic members may be selected from thread-like or strip-like rubber, etc., as appropriate.

[0013] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the absorbent pad 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the absorbent pad 1 according to the first embodiment when stretched and viewed from the skin-facing side. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent pad 1 according to the first embodiment taken along line AA in FIG. 3. In the cross-sectional views shown below, each component of the absorbent pad 1 is illustrated thicker than it actually is to facilitate understanding of the internal structure of the absorbent pad 1. However, the absorbent pad 1 is actually very thin. As shown in FIG. 3, the front body region 1F is a wide region at the front side of the absorbent pad 1, and the back body region 1R is a wide region at the back side of the absorbent pad 1. The crotch region 1B is narrower than the front body region 1F and the back body region 1R. The center of the crotch region 1B (an example of the "crotch region center" referred to herein) is located at the center of the narrowest region of the absorber 6 in the longitudinal and width directions, 379 mm forward from the rear end of the back body region 1R. Hereinafter, the longitudinal center of the absorbent pad 1 is referred to as the center of the crotch region 1B. If the distance from the center of the crotch region 1B to the rear end of the back body region 1R is 379 mm, when the absorbent pad 1 is worn with the crotch region 1B aligned with the wearer's crotch, the absorbent pad The pad 1 can be worn so that the outer end in the width direction of the rear end is aligned with the wearer's ilium.

[0014] In the absorbent pad 1 according to this embodiment, the front body region 1F and the back body region 1R are wider than the crotch region 1B in a plan view, and the crotch region 1B has a narrowed shape. Both longitudinal ends of the absorbent pad 1 are curved, and the front end of the front body region 1F has a widthwise center portion cut out in an arc toward the crotch region 1B, while the back end of the back body region 1R has a widthwise center portion protruding outward in an arc. Furthermore, both longitudinal ends of the absorbent pad 1 have widthwise outer ends cut out in an arc toward the crotch region 1B. The narrowed region in the crotch region 1B has a shape consisting of multiple connected arcs (e.g., three arcs in this embodiment) extending outward in the widthwise direction. This planar shape allows the absorbent pad 1 to easily fit the wearer's abdomen and buttocks when worn.

[0015] The absorbent pad 1 includes a top sheet 8 (an example of the "water-permeable sheet" referred to in this application) that is disposed on the skin-facing side when the absorbent pad 1 is worn. The top sheet 8 is the portion that contacts the wearer's skin when the absorbent pad 1 is worn, and is a water-permeable sheet made of a liquid-permeable material that allows liquids such as urine to pass through. The top sheet 8 may be made of a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, a porous film, or the like. The nonwoven fabric may be made of thermoplastic resin fibers such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, or nylon that have been hydrophilized, or may be an air-through nonwoven fabric, a point-bonded nonwoven fabric, a spun-bonded nonwoven fabric, or a melt-blown nonwoven fabric.

[0016] The absorbent pad 1 comprises an absorbent body 6, a back sheet 5, and a cover sheet 4, which are laminated in this order on the non-skin facing side of the top sheet 8.

[0017] The absorbent body 6 absorbs and retains liquids such as urine. The absorbent body 6 is disposed on the non-skin-facing side of the top sheet 8, including the crotch region 1B, to absorb liquids excreted by the wearer. A hot melt adhesive HM is applied to the skin-facing side of the absorbent body 6 in multiple rows of stripes spaced apart in the width direction, and this hot melt adhesive HM bonds the absorbent body 6 to the top sheet 8. In this embodiment, the absorbent body 6 has an absorbent core 6C containing an absorbent material and core wrap sheets 7 sandwiching the absorbent core 6C from above and below. The longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 6 coincides with the longitudinal directions of the absorbent core 6C and core wrap sheet 7 and the absorbent pad 1.

[0018] The absorbent core 6C has a structure in which granular absorbent resin (polymeric water-absorbing material) such as SAP (Super Absorbent Polymer), a hydrophilic polymer with a cross-linked structure that can absorb and retain water, is held in the gaps between short fibers of cellulosic fibers such as pulp, rayon, or cotton, or short fibers made from synthetic fibers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyethylene terephthalate that have been hydrophilically treated. These short fibers and SAP are examples of absorbent materials.

[0019] In this embodiment, SAP particles refer to a resin composition containing SAP in a granular form. The term "SAP-containing resin composition" as used herein encompasses both compositions consisting solely of SAP and compositions containing SAP as the primary component, with other substances added to the extent that they do not adversely affect water absorption. Examples of "other substances" include additives such as surface modifiers added to hydrophobize the particle surface, and unreacted monomers remaining during the synthesis of SAP. SAP particles can absorb approximately 10 to 100 times their own weight in liquid. The SAP particles may be, for example, granular particles with a diameter of approximately 0.1 to 0.5 mm before absorbing liquid.

[0020] Although SAP particles can gel and retain liquid, it takes a certain amount of time to absorb the liquid. The short fibers of the absorbent pad 1 do not slow down the discharged liquid until the SAP particles have absorbed the liquid. However, the liquid is diffused inside the absorbent core 6C, and the discharged liquid is absorbed by a wide range of SAP particles, preventing the liquid from flowing back.

[0021] The absorbent core 6C has an upper absorbent mat 6A arranged on the top sheet 8 side and a lower absorbent mat 6B arranged on the non-skin-facing side. The absorbent core 6C has a structure in which two mats, the upper absorbent mat 6A and the lower absorbent mat 6B, are stacked together. The upper absorbent mat 6A and the lower absorbent mat 6B are made of the above-mentioned short fibers. In this embodiment, SAP is mixed into the upper absorbent mat 6A and the lower absorbent mat 6B.

[0022] Alternatively, the SAP particles may be unevenly distributed in either the upper absorbent mat 6A or the lower absorbent mat 6B. For example, the SAP particles may be distributed only in the upper absorbent mat 6A, but not in the lower absorbent mat 6B. In this case, the lower absorbent mat 6B is made of short fibers only, and serves to retain and diffuse the discharged liquid and prevent it from flowing back in until it is absorbed by the SAP particles contained in the upper absorbent mat 6A.

[0023] The absorbent core 6C may also have an SAP layer (not shown) formed of a large number of SAP particles, which is disposed between the upper absorbent mat 6A and the lower absorbent mat 6B. The absorbent core 6C diffuses liquids such as urine through the lower absorbent mat 6B, and retains the liquid through the SAP layer and the SAP contained in the upper absorbent mat 6A.

[0024] When the absorbent pad 1 is viewed from above, the upper-layer absorbent mat 6A extends in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1. The end of the upper-layer absorbent mat 6A on the front body region 1F side is wider than the crotch region 1B and has a generally elliptical shape with the major axis extending in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1. The upper-layer absorbent mat 6A on the rear body region 1R side is wider than the crotch region 1B and has a generally triangular shape with the widthwise center of the outer longitudinal end located on the rear side. Furthermore, the upper-layer absorbent mat 6A does not reach the rear end of the absorbent core 6 and is formed short even within the absorbent core 6 when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1.

[0025] Furthermore, when the absorbent pad 1 is viewed from above, the area of the skin-facing side of the upper-layer absorbent mat 6A is preferably smaller than that of the non-skin-facing side, and the outer edge of the upper-layer absorbent mat 6A is preferably inclined from the non-skin-facing side toward the skin-facing side. This shape prevents acute angles from being formed on the skin-facing side of the upper-layer absorbent mat 6A, improving the feel against the skin when worn.

[0026] The lower absorbent mat 6B is disposed below (non-skin facing) the upper absorbent mat 6A when viewed from the top sheet 8 side, and has substantially the same planar shape as the absorbent pad 1. The upper absorbent mat 6A and the lower absorbent mat 6B are stacked in the thickness direction so that their respective widthwise centers are substantially aligned. In addition, in plan view, the lower absorbent mat 6B is formed to be larger than the upper absorbent mat 6A. The longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 6 coincides with the longitudinal directions of the upper and lower absorbent mats 6A and 6B and the absorbent pad 1.

[0027] The lower absorbent mat 6B has both longitudinal ends with an arc-shaped cutout at the widthwise outer end toward the center of the crotch region 1B. The widthwise outer end of the longitudinal rear end of the lower absorbent mat 6B is the position where the wearer's ilium protrudes when worn. Therefore, by cutting out the rear end of the lower absorbent mat 6B in a roughly arc-shaped shape, it conforms to the wearer's ilium when worn, preventing the absorbent core 6C from overlapping and compressing the ilium.

[0028] The lower absorbent mat 6B has a shape in which both ends on the outer side in the width direction at the rear end in the longitudinal direction extend toward the center of the crotch region 1B. The absorbent pad 1 includes an absorbent-core non-extending region 11, where the absorbent core 6C does not extend, at both widthwise outer ends of the longitudinal rear end of the lower absorbent mat 6B. The boundary between the absorbent-core non-extending region 11 and the absorbent core 6C is curved at the rear end of the lower absorbent mat 6B. Because the boundary between the absorbent-core non-extending region 11 and the absorbent core 6C is curved, the absorbent pad 1 does not have corners where the angle changes suddenly, like a square wave. Corners where the angle changes suddenly tend to become base points for the absorbent pad 1 to bend along linear edges. Therefore, the absorbent pad 1 prevents bending at corners where the angle changes suddenly, thereby preventing pressure against the wearer's skin and bedsores. Furthermore, when worn, the absorbent-core non-extending region 11 corresponds to the position where the wearer's ilium protrudes. This reduces pressure on the ilium by the absorbent core 6C and prevents bedsores.

[0029] The lower absorbent mat 6B has cutouts 12 (an example of the "cutout" in this application) at both longitudinal ends, with the widthwise center extending toward the crotch region 1B. By having the cutouts 12 in the absorbent pad 1, any creases that occur during the putting-on process can be adjusted by moving the cutouts 12 in the widthwise direction, and the rear end of the absorbent core 6C can be put on so that it is aligned with the ilium.

[0030] The absorbent pad 1 includes grooves 6L, 6H, and 6R in the absorbent core 6C that penetrate the absorbent core 6C in the thickness direction. The groove 6H is located within the longitudinal length of the absorbent core 6C, and its front-to-rear ends are contained within the absorbent core 6C. The groove 6H is located in the widthwise center of the absorbent core 6C so as to extend longitudinally. In this embodiment, the groove 6H penetrates the absorbent core 6C, which is formed from the upper-layer absorbent mat 6A and the lower-layer absorbent mat 6B, at a position corresponding to the wearer's midline when worn. Excreted liquid, such as urine, flows into the grooves 6H, moves longitudinally along the grooves 6H, and is rapidly absorbed over a wide area in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 6. Therefore, the absorbent pad 1 according to this embodiment includes the grooves 6H, allowing for rapid diffusion of excreted liquid. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, the grooves 6H do not reach the longitudinal ends of the absorbent body 6. Therefore, the discharged liquid that has moved outward in the longitudinal direction does not reach the longitudinal ends of the absorbent body 6, but remains inside the grooves 6H and is gradually absorbed. The grooves 6H may be formed so that the skin-facing side is concave by making the absorbent material, such as short fibers, that forms the absorbent core 6C less than in parts other than the grooves 6H, or may be formed by squeezing the absorbent material that forms the skin-facing side of the absorbent core 6C in the thickness direction.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 3, in a plan view, the groove 6H has a rectangular shape with both front and rear ends formed into an arc. The front end of the groove 6H is located in the middle of the crotch region 1B, and the back end of the groove 6H is located in the front of the back body region 1R. The groove 6H has a constant width. Note that the groove 6H may be formed in a polygonal or elliptical shape instead of a rectangular shape in a plan view.

[0032] The grooves 6H include grooves 6AH formed through the upper-layer absorbent mat 6A and grooves 6BH formed through the lower-layer absorbent mat 6B. The grooves 6AH and 6BH have the same shape. The grooves 6BH are formed longer in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1 than the grooves 6AH. By shortening the grooves 6AH, the amount of urine absorbed by the upper-layer absorbent mat 6A in the crotch region 1B can be increased. Furthermore, the grooves 6BH are formed so that their front ends are aligned in the longitudinal direction with the front ends of the regions of the grooves 6L and 6R that are formed longitudinally parallel to the grooves 6H. When the groove portion 6BH is formed as described above, when the front end of the absorbent pad 1 is lifted up to put on the wearer, the absorbent pad 1 is easily bent on the imaginary straight line connecting the front end of the groove portion 6BH and the front end of the linear area in the longitudinal direction of the groove portions 6L and 6R, making it easier to put on the absorbent pad by aligning the wearer's crotch area with the crotch region 1B.

[0033] The grooves 6L and 6R are provided within the longitudinal length of the absorbent core 6C, with their front and rear ends contained within the absorbent core 6C. The grooves 6L and 6R may be formed with a concave skin-facing side by reducing the amount of absorbent material, such as staple fibers, that makes up the absorbent core 6C compared to the remaining portions of the absorbent core 6C, or may be formed by compressing the absorbent material that makes up the skin-facing side of the absorbent core 6C in the thickness direction. The grooves 6L and 6R are provided widthwise outside the grooves 6H and penetrate through the lower-layer absorbent mat 6B. The front ends of the grooves 6L and 6R are located on the widthwise outer edges of the lower-layer absorbent mat 6B, and the rear ends of the grooves 6L and 6R do not reach the widthwise outer edges of the lower-layer absorbent mat 6B.

[0034] In this embodiment, the absorbent body 6 has a core wrap sheet 7. The core wrap sheet 7 is a water-permeable sheet that covers the absorbent core 6C and is approximately rectangular with its long sides extending in the longitudinal direction. The core wrap sheet 7 covers both the skin-facing side and the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent core 6C. When not in contact with exudate, the core wrap sheet 7 protects the shape of the absorbent core 6C, preventing it from losing its shape, and prevents the SAP particles contained in the upper absorbent mat 6A and the SAP particles contained in the SAP layer from escaping. Furthermore, SAP particles in a state where they have not absorbed moisture are hard and sand-like, and if these escaping SAP particles come into direct contact with the wearer's skin, they may cause discomfort to the wearer. For this reason, the absorbent core 6C is sandwiched between the core wrap sheets 7 to prevent the absorbent core 6C from losing its shape and to prevent the SAP particles from escaping outside the absorbent body 6.

[0035] In this embodiment, the core wrap sheet 7 is formed from two sheets: an upper-layer core wrap sheet 7A disposed between the upper-layer absorbent mat 6A and the top sheet 8, and a lower-layer core wrap sheet 7B disposed on the non-skin-facing side of the lower-layer absorbent mat 6B. The core wrap sheet 7 is made of a pulp fiber sheet, a thin nonwoven fabric, or the like. In this embodiment, a nonwoven fabric is used for the upper-layer core wrap sheet 7A, and a tissue paper is used for the lower-layer core wrap sheet 7B. Alternatively, tissue paper may be used for the upper-layer core wrap sheet 7A, and a nonwoven fabric may be used for the lower-layer core wrap sheet 7B. Alternatively, the upper-layer core wrap sheet 7A and the lower-layer core wrap sheet 7B may be made of the same material, and nonwoven fabric or tissue paper may be used for both. Alternatively, the core wrap sheet 7 may be formed from a single sheet. Alternatively, the core wrap sheet 7 may completely encase the absorbent core 6C. In this case, the core wrap sheet may be formed from a single sheet or two sheets.

[0036] As described above, the absorbent core 6C has grooves 6L, 6H, and 6R. As shown in FIG. 4 , the upper core wrap sheet 7A is recessed toward the lower core wrap sheet 7B in the grooves 6L, 6H, and 6R, and the upper and lower core wrap sheets 7A and 7B are bonded to each other on the lower core wrap sheet 7B with a hot melt adhesive HM. This prevents SAP particles from spilling into the grooves 6L, 6H, and 6R. Note that the upper core wrap sheet 7A does not have to be recessed toward the lower core wrap sheet 7B in the grooves 6L, 6H, and 6R. In this case, the upper and lower core wrap sheets 7A and 7B may not be bonded to each other. This prevents the volume of the grooves 6L, 6H, and 6R from being reduced by the volume of the upper core wrap sheet 7A, improving the urine diffusion properties of the grooves 6L, 6H, and 6R. The core wrap sheet 7 is also configured so as not to fall into the grooves 6L, 6H, 6R. In this embodiment, an upper-layer absorbent mat 6A is laminated on a portion of the skin-facing side of the grooves 6L, 6R. Alternatively, the upper-layer absorbent mat 6A may be laminated on the entire skin-facing side of the grooves 6L, 6R.

[0037] The absorbent pad 1 includes a water-impermeable back sheet 5 (an example of the "water-impermeable sheet" in this application) disposed on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body 6. The back sheet 5 is substantially the same as the absorbent pad 1. The back sheet 5 has a single flat shape. The back sheet 5 is a sheet made of a thermoplastic, water-impermeable resin material such as polyethylene film to prevent leakage of excreted liquid that has flowed into the absorbent body 6. The back sheet 5 has water-repellent properties to prevent urine and moisture from seeping out of the absorbent pad 1 and breathability to prevent the absorbent pad from becoming stuffy when worn. The back sheet 5 may be breathable by having many tiny ventilation holes formed therein.

[0038] The absorbent pad 1 includes a cover sheet 4 disposed on the non-skin-facing side of the back sheet 5. The cover sheet 4 has substantially the same planar shape as the absorbent pad 1. The cover sheet 4 forms the exterior surface of the absorbent pad 1 and has sufficient rigidity to withstand friction with diapers, underwear, etc. used in combination, thereby preventing damage to the back sheet 5. The cover sheet 4 is generally made of a nonwoven fabric composed of synthetic fibers such as polypropylene, polyethylene, or polyethylene terephthalate. The cover sheet 4 is liquid-impermeable and moisture-permeable. In the absorbent pad 1, the cover sheet 4 and the back sheet 5 are formed to be the same size and shape. Furthermore, the side sheets 9L and 9R are formed to be the same shape as the cover sheet 4 and the back sheet 5 at their widthwise ends. Furthermore, the top sheet 8 is formed to be the same shape as the cover sheet 4 and the back sheet 5 at the widthwise center of the longitudinal ends of the absorbent pad 1. Therefore, the cover sheet 4, the back sheet 5, the side sheets 9L and 9R, and a portion of the top sheet 8 form the peripheral shape (outline) of the absorbent pad 1. For example, the shapes of the cover sheet 4, the back sheet 5, the side sheets 9L, 9R, and a portion of the top sheet 8 form the arc-shaped cutouts in the front body region 1F and the back body region 1R and the shape of the widthwise end of the crotch region 1B. Note that, because the back sheet 5 is impermeable to water, the absorbent pad 1 may be configured so that the cover sheet 4 is omitted and the back sheet 5 forms the exterior surface. As described above, the cover sheet 4, the back sheet 5, and a portion of the top sheet 8 are formed in the back body region 1R with a cutout shape corresponding to the wearer's ilium, so that the widthwise outer edge of the rear end of the absorbent pad 1 can be worn along the wearer's ilium.

[0039] A fastening tape may be provided on a portion of the exterior surface of the absorbent pad 1. In the absorbent pad 1 according to this embodiment, the cover sheet 4 forms the exterior surface. The fastening tape is an adhesive tape that prevents the absorbent pad 1 from slipping relative to the diaper, underwear, etc. that is used in combination. Alternatively, the cover sheet 4 may be formed from a material with a high coefficient of friction without providing the fastening tape, thereby suppressing slippage relative to the diaper, etc. Also, a hot melt adhesive may be applied to the non-skin-facing side of the cover sheet 4 to prevent slippage.

[0040] In the absorbent pad 1 according to this embodiment, the rear end of the lower absorbent mat 6B, where the wearer's ilium protrudes, has a generally arc-shaped notch at the front when worn. Therefore, the absorbent pad 1 can be worn so that the rear end of the lower absorbent mat 6B fits along the ilium, reducing pressure on the wearer's ilium and skin and improving comfort.

[0041] The absorbent pad 1 also includes a pair of water-impermeable side sheets 9L, 9R (an example of the "pair of leak-barrier-forming sheets" referred to in this application) that are arranged on the skin-facing sides of both widthwise sides of the absorbent pad 1 and extend along the longitudinal direction. The side sheets 9L, 9R are arranged so that their longitudinal ends coincide with the longitudinal ends of the top sheet 8. The side sheets 9L, 9R have fixing regions 9LA, 9RA arranged on their outer widthwise sides. The fixing regions 9LA, 9RA are bonded to the top sheet 8, which is the component arranged on the non-skin-facing side, with a hot melt adhesive HM.

[0042] The side sheets 9L, 9R are bonded to the top sheet 8 with a hot melt adhesive HM. The widthwise inner ends of this hot melt adhesive HM form standing lines 3LL, 3LR (see FIG. 3) which are joints. The insides of the standing lines 3LL, 3LR form three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R. The upright lines 3LL, 3LR of the side sheets 9L, 9R are located inward in the width direction, forming three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R. The inner ends of the side sheets 9L, 9R in the width direction are free ends 9LB, 9RB, which are the tips of the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R. Near the free ends 9LB, 9RB of the side sheets 9L, 9R, two rubber threads 3BL, 3BR, which are thread-like elastic members, are arranged side by side in the width direction. Alternatively, one rubber thread 3BL, 3BR may be arranged. The rubber threads 3BL, 3BR are fixed to the side sheets 9L, 9R with a hot melt adhesive HM in a stretched state in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1. The side sheets 9L, 9R have fixing portions 33L, 33R near the longitudinal ends, which are on the outer side in the extending direction of the rubber threads 3BL, 3BR. The fixing portions 33L, 33R fix the side sheets 9L, 9R to the top sheet 8, and serve as longitudinal starting points for the standing up of the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R. The inside of the side sheets 9L, 9R are also bonded to the top sheet 8 in the width direction, but the inside of the fixing portions 33L, 33R in the length direction is not bonded inward in the width direction from the hot melt adhesive HM, allowing the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R to stand up toward the skin. When the elastic threads 3BL, 3BR contract, causing the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R inside the standing lines 3LL, 3LR to stand up toward the skin, the free ends 9LB, 9RB become the tips on the skin-facing side. The standing three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R inhibit the movement of liquids and loose stools toward the outside of the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R in the width direction, thereby preventing side leakage.

[0043] The fixing portions 33L, 33R are located outside the widthwise center of the rear end of the absorbent core 6C. Because the fixing portions 33L, 33R are located outside the widthwise center of the rear end of the absorbent core 6C, when the rubber threads 3BL, 3BR contract, the contraction force is transmitted widthwise outward. In addition, the back body region 1R is provided with a cutout portion 12 and an arc-shaped protruding region. The arc-shaped protruding region acts as a beam to counter the contraction force of the rubber threads 3BL, 3BR, and the cutout portion 12 tends to bulge toward the non-skin side. This makes it easier to wear the absorbent pad 1 along the ilium.

[0044] When the absorbent pad 1 is viewed from above, the regions extending widthwise outward of the standing lines 3LL, 3LR of the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R are the ears 10L, 10R. In this embodiment, the ears 10L, 10R are formed in the front body region 1F and the back body region 1R. The lower-layer absorbent mat 6B is positioned to include the widthwise outer sides of the free ends 9LB, 9RB. The absorbent pad 1 can increase the amount of liquid absorption by increasing the cushioning properties of the ears 10L, 10R and by forming the lower-layer absorbent mat 6B large. The ears 10L, 10R may be formed in either the front body region 1F or the back body region 1R.

[0045] Here, the absorbent pad 1 has a cover sheet 4, a back sheet 5, and a top sheet 8 formed to have the same size and shape. Therefore, the cover sheet 4, the back sheet 5, and the top sheet 8 form the outer shape of the absorbent pad 1. For example, the shapes of the cover sheet 4, the back sheet 5, and the top sheet 8 form the arc-shaped cutouts in the front body region 1F and the back body region 1R and the shape of the widthwise end of the crotch region 1B. Note that, since the back sheet 5 of the absorbent pad 1 is impermeable to water, the cover sheet 4 may be omitted and the back sheet 5 may form the exterior surface.

[0046] In addition, a pocket sheet 13 is disposed on the rear body region 1R side of the absorbent pad 1. The pocket sheet 13 extends laterally across the center line in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1. The pocket sheet 13, at its inner longitudinal end, is disposed between the skin-facing side of the top sheet 8 and the skin-facing side of the wearer, and is not joined to the top sheet 8. Most of the width direction end of the pocket sheet 13 is joined to the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R with an adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive.

[0047] The inner end of the pocket sheet 13 in the longitudinal direction is a free end that is not joined to the top sheet 8. The top sheet 8 comes into contact with the wearer's anus at a point further inside in the longitudinal direction of the free end. When feces flows toward the back body region 1R, the pocket sheet 13 allows the pocket portion P, which is the space formed between the pocket sheet 13 and the top sheet 8, to function as a feces pocket. The pocket sheet 13 prevents feces from coming into contact with the wearer's buttocks when feces are excreted, maintaining a comfortable fit. It also prevents back leakage and reduces the burden on caregivers. Furthermore, the pocket portion P also functions as a urine pocket that prevents urine flowing toward the back body region 1R from coming into contact with the skin.

[0048] The position of the longitudinal outer end of the pocket sheet 13 on the rear body region 1R side is the same as the longitudinal outer end of the absorbent pad 1 on the rear body region 1R side, and it is joined to the top sheet 8 and further to the side sheets 9L, 9R on the widthwise outer side by a hot melt adhesive or the like.

[0049] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between the cutouts in the absorbent core and the pocket sheet according to the first embodiment. The absorbent pad 1 according to this embodiment has a cutout 12 at the center of the width of the longitudinal end. The cutout 12 has lower rigidity than other parts of the absorbent pad 1, making it more flexible during wear. More specifically, the cutout 12 forms a mountain fold toward the non-skin-facing side when worn and contracts in the width direction. In this way, the cutout 12 functions as a compressible portion that can be compressed inward in the width direction. When the cutout 12 bends, the surrounding absorbent core 6C also bends toward the non-skin-facing side. Furthermore, the top sheet 8 joined to the absorbent core 6C also bends toward the non-skin-facing side. As a result, a bend line 12L bent toward the non-skin-facing side appears on the top sheet 8 in the back body region 1R.

[0050] In the back body region 1R, a pocket sheet 13 is disposed on the skin-facing side of the absorbent core 6C and overlaps the absorbent core 6C. At least in the widthwise central region, the longitudinal inner edge of the pocket sheet 13 is not adhered to the top sheet 8. At the longitudinal inner edge of the pocket sheet 13, a bend line 12L is formed in the top sheet 8, bending it toward the non-skin-facing side. Because the longitudinal inner edge of the pocket sheet 13 is not bent, a wide opening is formed between the pocket sheet 13 and the top sheet 8.

[0051] The cutout 12 is preferably located in the widthwise center of the longitudinal end of the back body region 1R of the absorbent core 6C. This is preferable because locating the cutout 12 in this position maximizes the opening between the bending line 12L and the longitudinal inner end of the pocket sheet 13. A large opening between the top sheet 8 and the pocket sheet 13 increases the likelihood of guiding exudate liquid to the inside of the pocket portion P. Since exudate liquid does not accumulate between the skin surface and the pocket sheet 13, discomfort experienced by the wearer is reduced. Furthermore, the absorbent pad 1 can prevent back leakage, thereby reducing the burden on caregivers.

[0052] <Second embodiment> Next, a second embodiment will be described. Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of the longitudinal inner end of the inner sheet according to the second embodiment. Fig. 6 shows a more preferable arrangement example of the pocket sheet 13. The pocket sheet 13 is provided between the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R, more specifically, on the widthwise inner side of the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R. As an example, the pocket sheet 13 is bonded at both widthwise ends to the leak-proof side sheets 9L, 9R with an adhesive HM such as a hot melt adhesive. That is, the pocket sheet 13 is bonded to the top sheet 8 via the side sheets 9L, 9R. By bonding the pocket sheet 13 to the side sheets 9L, 9R at the widthwise ends, discharged liquid that has entered the pocket portion P is prevented from leaking outward in the widthwise direction.

[0053] The pocket sheet 13 is not joined to the joint of the three-dimensional gathers 3L and 3R, but to the middle part of the leak-barrier, that is, to the non-skin-facing side of the free end. When the height to the free end, which is the end on the skin side, is 4 cm, the pocket sheet 13 is joined to the part at 2 cm. When the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R stand up due to the biasing force of the elastic threads 3BL, 3BR, the pocket sheet 13 also stands up relative to the top sheet 8, forming a pocket portion P, which is a pocket-shaped space.

[0054] As described above, the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R have fixing portions 33L, 33R disposed at their longitudinal ends and are joined to the top sheet 8. The elastic threads 3BL, 3BR are disposed between them, and when the diaper 1 is worn, the elastic threads 3BL, 3BR cause the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R to rise toward the skin side due to the biasing force of the elastic threads 3BL, 3BR, thereby forming a leak-proof wall. That is, the sections of the side sheets 9L, 9R that are not fixed by the fixing portions 33L, 33R and where the elastic threads 3BL, 3BR are disposed rise toward the skin side when the diaper 1 is worn, and are therefore capable of functioning as three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R.

[0055] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the relationship between the three-dimensional gathers and the pocket sheet according to the second embodiment. The absorbent pad 1 has cutouts 12 at its longitudinal ends, as in the first embodiment. The cutouts 12 are less rigid than other portions of the absorbent pad 1, making them more flexible during wear. More specifically, the cutouts 12 bend when worn, causing the longitudinal ends of the absorbent pad 1 to contract in the width direction. When the cutouts 12 bend, the longitudinal ends of the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R also contract inward in the width direction. Meanwhile, there are no bends on the inner longitudinal side, and the elastic threads 3BL, 3BR act as a biasing force, causing the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R to expand outward in the width direction. As a result, the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R expand in a diagonal direction, narrowing at the outer longitudinal ends and widening at the inner longitudinal side where the opening of the pocket sheet is located.

[0056] In this way, because the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R extend diagonally, the biasing force of the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R acts not only upward, i.e., toward the skin, but also inward in the width direction. Because the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R extend diagonally, the inner longitudinal edge of the pocket sheet 13 is subjected to a force acting outward in the lengthwise direction as well as a force acting inward in the widthwise direction due to force decomposition. As a result of the force acting inward in the widthwise direction in addition to the longitudinal direction, the inner longitudinal edge of the pocket sheet 13 bends upward, i.e., toward the skin, forming a large opening between it and the top sheet 8.

[0057] Here, in the area where the pocket sheet 13 extends and the pocket portion P is formed, only the lower-layer absorbent mat 6B extends to the absorbent core 6C, and its rigidity is relatively low. On the other hand, in the area closer to the front body region 1F than the pocket opening, which is the longitudinal inner end of the pocket sheet 13, the absorbent core 6C has a two-layer structure including an upper-layer absorbent mat 6A and a lower-layer absorbent mat 6B, and its rigidity is relatively high. The biasing force of the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R is also transmitted to the absorbent core 6C, but because the nearby absorbent core 6C has high rigidity, the top sheet 8 side is relatively less likely to shrink in the width direction. By providing the cutouts 12 and reducing the rigidity of the area where the pocket sheet 13 extends, the absorbent core 6C easily bends inward in the width direction in the area where the pocket sheet 13 extends. Furthermore, by increasing the rigidity of the area closer to the front body region 1F than the opening of the pocket sheet 13, the lateral width is maintained on the longitudinal inner side of the opening of the pocket sheet 13. By appropriately arranging the high stiffness portion of the absorbent core 6C in this way, the effect of the obliquely arranged three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R can be more reliably achieved.

[0058] In addition, by increasing the rigidity of the front body region side of the opening of the pocket sheet 13, it is possible to widen the opening more reliably. When the longitudinal inner end of the pocket sheet 13 bends toward the skin side to form an opening, the absorbent core 6C resists bending and does not bend in the same direction as the pocket sheet 13. Therefore, the opening opens reliably and the discharged liquid is not discharged into the pocket. If a large opening is formed between the top sheet 8 and the pocket sheet 13, the excreted liquid can be more likely to be guided to the inside of the pocket portion P. Since the excreted liquid does not accumulate between the skin surface and the pocket sheet 13, discomfort to the wearer is reduced. Furthermore, the absorbent pad 1 can prevent back leakage, which can reduce the burden on caregivers.

[0059] <Third embodiment> Next, a third embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the cross section of the extended region of the pocket sheet according to the third embodiment. The absorbent core 6C has multiple absorbent mats. More specifically, the absorbent core 6C has two absorbent mats: an upper absorbent mat 6A arranged on the skin-facing side and a lower absorbent mat 6B arranged on the non-skin-facing side. The upper absorbent mat 6A extends only part of the extended region of the lower absorbent mat 6B in both the longitudinal and width directions. In the region where both the upper and lower absorbent mats 6A and 6B are arranged, the absorbent core 6C forms a high-rigidity region. In the region where only the lower absorbent mat 6B is arranged, the rigidity of the absorbent core 6C is relatively low compared to the region where both the upper and lower absorbent mats 6A and 6B are arranged. The upper absorbent mat 6A has a trapezoidal cross section. The upper absorbent mat 6A is an absorbent mat that is placed on the skin side of the wearer, and because it is trapezoidal, its edges do not come into contact with the skin side of the wearer, causing discomfort to the wearer.

[0060] In the first and second embodiments, the upper-layer absorbent mat 6A is arranged so as not to overlap the pocket sheet 13. In other words, the pocket sheet 13 overlaps the low-rigidity portion of the absorbent core 6C. In the third embodiment, the pocket sheet 13 is arranged so that its longitudinal inner end overlaps the high-rigidity portion of the absorbent core 6C. The shape and arrangement of the pocket sheet 13 are the same as in the second embodiment.

[0061] 8, the lower absorbent mat 6B is wider than the upper absorbent mat 6A. Therefore, a step occurs in the absorbent core 6C due to the absence of the upper absorbent mat 6A on the outer widthwise sides. On the other hand, the pocket sheet 13 is not affected by the shape of the absorbent core 6C because it is joined to the middle part of the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R.

[0062] For this reason, when the absorbent pad 1 is worn, with the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R standing up, a space 13S is formed between the pocket sheet 13 and a step formed on the widthwise outer side of the absorbent core 6C on the non-skin-facing side of the pocket sheet 13 due to the step. The space 13S helps to form an opening between the pocket sheet 13 and the top sheet 8 joined to the absorbent core 6C. Because an opening is more easily formed, excreted liquid that flows along the skin-facing side of the top sheet 8 and reaches the back body region 1R side is more likely to enter the pocket portion P formed between the top sheet 8 and the pocket sheet 13, rather than between the pocket sheet 13 and the wearer's skin surface.

[0063] The wearer's discomfort is reduced because the discharged liquid does not accumulate between the skin surface and the pocket sheet 13. Furthermore, the absorbent pad 1 can suppress back leakage, reducing the burden on caregivers. In the third embodiment, the space 13S is formed on the outer side in the width direction of the absorbent core 6C, which is particularly effective when the wearer is in a lateral position.

[0064] Although each embodiment has been described above, the contents of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. The present invention is applicable not only to absorbent pads but also to pants-type diapers and tape-type diapers. Furthermore, the present invention is applicable not only to diapers for adults but also to diapers for infants. The pocket sheet 13 may not only be formed in both the front body region 1F and the rear body region 1R as in this embodiment, but may also be disposed in either the front body region 1F or the rear body region 1R. That's fine.

[0065] The features included in each of the embodiments and modifications thereof disclosed above can be combined with each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1. Absorbent pad 1F: Front body area 1B...Inseam area 1R: Back area 3BL, 3BR... Elastic thread 3LL,3LR･･･Rise line 3L, 3R: 3D gathers 33L,33R・Fixed part 4. Cover sheet 5. Back seat 6. Absorber 6C··Absorbent Core 6A··Upper layer absorbent mat 6B Lower layer absorbent mat 6H, 6AH, 6BH, 6L, 6R Groove 6S...SAP layer 7. Core wrap sheet 7A··Upper layer core wrap sheet 7B··Lower layer core wrap sheet 8. Top sheet 9L, 9R side seats 9LA,9RA·Fixed area 9LB,9RB··Free end 10L,10R・Ear part 11. Absorbent core non-extending region 12. Notch 12L·Bending line 13. Pocket sheet 13S...Space

Claims

1. a length along a longitudinal direction corresponding to the front-to-back direction of the wearer; a length along a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction; a front body region located in front of the wearer in the front-to-back direction, a back body region located behind the wearer, and a crotch region located between the front body region and the back body region; an absorbent core having a compressible portion at the center in the width direction of the rear end portion, the compressible portion being compressible on the inside in the width direction, and configured to absorb moisture; a top sheet disposed on the skin-facing side of the absorbent core; a pocket sheet disposed in the rear body region so as to overlap the skin-facing side of the top sheet, the front body region side of which is not attached to the top sheet; Prepare Absorbent articles.

2. The compressible portion is a notch portion disposed at an end portion of the absorbent core on the side of the rear body region. The absorbent article of claim 1.

3. a joining portion at which the outer side in the width direction is joined to the top sheet; a leak-proof wall that stands up on the skin surface side on the inner side of the joint in the width direction; an elastic member bonded to a free end of the leak-barrier wall, which is an end of the skin side, so as to extend in a stretched state in the longitudinal direction; Further provided is a pair of leak-proof wall-forming sheets arranged outside the center in the width direction, The pocket sheet is disposed on the inner side of the pair of leak-barrier-forming sheets in the width direction and on the non-skin-facing side of the free end. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The pocket sheet is The pair of leak-proof wall-forming sheets are joined together. The absorbent article of claim 3.

5. the absorbent core has high-rigidity regions in the front body region and the crotch region, The longitudinal inner end of the pocket sheet is disposed closer to the rear body region than the high-rigidity region. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2.

6. the absorbent core has high-rigidity regions in the front body region and the crotch region, The longitudinal inner end of the pocket sheet overlaps with the high rigidity region. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2.

7. In the high stiffness region, the absorbent core has a plurality of absorbent mats; The absorbent mat arranged on the skin side among the plurality of absorbent mats is arranged at the center in the width direction in the region where the pocket sheets overlap. The absorbent article of claim 6.

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