Absorbent article

Abstract

To provide an absorbent article capable of suppressing abdominal leakage and back leakage.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; a top sheet covering skin surface sides of the front body region, the crotch region and the back body region; and a pocket sheet that extends in a horizontal direction across a center line in the width direction on the skin surface side of the top sheet, that is directly or indirectly connected to the top sheet at width-directional ends, and that has an end region whose width-directional end is not bonded to another sheet, provided in a prescribed section on the inside in the longitudinal direction.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 prevents feces and urine from reaching the longitudinal ends of the absorbent article. However, if the pocket does not open sufficiently, feces and urine may not enter the pocket, causing abdominal or back leakage. Abdominal or back leakage can be uncomfortable for the wearer and increase the burden of care.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article that can suppress abdominal leakage and back leakage. [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, a top sheet covering the skin-facing side of the front body region, the crotch region, and the back body region, and a pocket sheet extending laterally across the widthwise center line of the skin-facing side of the top sheet, joined directly or indirectly to the top sheet at the widthwise ends, and having end regions in a predetermined longitudinally inner section where the widthwise ends are not joined to other sheets. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, an absorbent article capable of suppressing abdominal leakage and back leakage can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of an absorbent pad according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the absorbent pad according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the absorbent pad according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an absorbent pad according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the inner end portion in the longitudinal direction of the pocket sheet. 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, a disposable absorbent pad (an example of the "absorbent article" in the present application) is defined as having a longitudinal direction that connects a front body portion facing the abdomen of a wearer with a rear body portion facing the back. The direction of the absorbent pad is the thickness direction. The absorbent pad has a length along the longitudinal direction, which corresponds to the front-to-back direction of the wearer, and a width direction, which corresponds to the width of the absorbent pad. 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. The terms "direction" and "direction" used in this application refer to the directions corresponding to the front-to-back and left-to-right directions of the wearer when the absorbent pad is worn on the wearer. For example, when the front-to-back direction is referred to in this application, it means the direction that corresponds to the front and back of the wearer when the absorbent pad is worn by the wearer, and when the left-to-right direction is referred to in this application, it means the direction that corresponds to the left and right of the wearer when the absorbent pad is worn by the wearer.

[0011] 1 is a perspective view of an absorbent pad 1 according to an 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 embodiment. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the absorbent pad 1 according to the embodiment in a stretched state, viewed from the skin-facing side. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent pad 1 according to the 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 its actual size 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 rear 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 central portion 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 area of the wearer aligned with the crotch region 1B, the outer edge of the rear end of the absorbent pad 1 in the width direction can be worn along the ilium of the wearer.

[0014] In the absorbent pad 1 according to this embodiment, in a plan view, the front body region 1F and the back body region 1R are wider than the crotch region 1B, and the crotch region 1B has a narrowed shape. Both longitudinal ends of the absorbent pad 1 are formed in a curved shape, and the front end of the front body region 1F has a shape in which the widthwise center is cut out in an arc toward the crotch region 1B, and the back end of the back body region 1R has a shape in which the widthwise center protrudes outward in an arc toward the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, at both longitudinal ends of the absorbent pad 1, the widthwise outer ends have a shape in which the widthwise outer ends are cut out in an arc toward the crotch region 1B. The narrowed region in the crotch region 1B has a shape in which multiple arcs (for example, three arcs in this embodiment) extending outward in the width direction are connected together. This planar shape allows the absorbent pad 1 to easily fit the abdomen and buttocks of the wearer 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] While SAP particles can gel and retain liquid, it takes a certain amount of time for them to absorb the liquid. In the absorbent pad 1, the short fibers slow down the discharged liquid while diffusing it within the absorbent core 6C until the SAP particles have absorbed the liquid, allowing a wide range of SAP particles to absorb the discharged liquid and 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-layer absorbent mat 6B has a shape in which both widthwise outer ends at the longitudinal rear end extend toward the center of the crotch region 1B. Therefore, the absorbent pad 1 has absorbent-core non-extending regions 11, where the absorbent core 6C does not extend, at both widthwise outer ends at the longitudinal rear end of the lower-layer absorbent mat 6B. The boundary between the absorbent-core non-extending region 11 and the absorbent core 6C is the rear end of the lower-layer absorbent mat 6B and is curved. 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 be the base points for bending the absorbent pad 1 along the linear edge. Therefore, the absorbent pad 1 prevents bending at corners where the angle changes suddenly, thereby preventing pressure against the wearer's skin and bedsores. In addition, when the absorbent core is worn, the non-extended region 11 is This corresponds to the position where the bones protrude, thereby suppressing pressure on the ilium by the absorbent core 6C and preventing 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, 6R are provided within the longitudinal length of the absorbent core 6C, and their front and rear ends are contained within the absorbent core 6C. The grooves 6L, 6R may be formed so that the skin-facing side is concave by making the absorbent material such as short fibers that form the absorbent core 6C less than the parts other than the grooves 6L, 6R, or may be formed by squeezing the absorbent material that forms the skin-facing side of the absorbent core 6C in the thickness direction. The grooves 6L, 6R are provided on the widthwise outer side of the grooves 6H, and are formed to penetrate the lower-layer absorbent mat 6B. The front ends of the grooves 6L, 6R are located on the widthwise outer ends of the lower-layer absorbent mat 6B, and the rear ends of the grooves 6L, 6R are located on the widthwise outer ends of the lower-layer absorbent mat 6B. It does not reach the outer edge.

[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" referred to in this application) arranged on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body 6. The back sheet 5 has substantially the same planar shape as the absorbent pad 1. The back sheet 5 is a sheet made of a thermoplastic water-impermeable resin 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. Cover sheet The cover sheet 4 forms the exterior surface of the absorbent pad 1 and has enough 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, and 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 the joints. The insides of the standing lines 3LL, 3LR form the upstanding three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R. The widthwise inner sides of the side sheets 9L, 9R from the standing lines 3LL, 3LR are the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R, and the widthwise inner ends of the side sheets 9L, 9R are free ends 9LB, 9RB, which are the tips of the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R. Two rubber threads 3BL, 3BR, which are thread-like elastic members, are arranged side by side in the width direction near the free ends 9LB, 9RB of the side sheets 9L, 9R. Note that the rubber threads 3BL, 3BR may be arranged individually. The rubber threads 3BL, 3BR are fixed to the side sheets 9L, 9R with the hot melt adhesive HM in a stretched state in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1. The side sheets 9L and 9R have fixing portions 33L and 33R near the longitudinal ends. By fixing the side sheets 9L, 9R to the top sheet 8, these become the longitudinal starting points for the standing up of the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R. The side sheets 9L, 9R are also bonded to the top sheet 8 on their widthwise outer sides, but on the longitudinal inner side of the fixing portions 33L, 33R, the part inside in the widthwise direction of the fixing portions 33L, 33R is not bonded, and can stand up toward the skin side. When the elastic threads 3BL, 3BR contract, the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R inside the standing lines 3LL, 3LR stand up toward the skin side, the free ends 9LB, 9RB become the tips on the skin side. The standing three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R inhibit the movement of liquids and loose stools toward the widthwise outer sides of the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R, 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] The absorbent pad 1 includes a pocket sheet 13 in the front body region, the back body region, or both. In this embodiment, the pocket sheet 13 is disposed in both the front body region 1F and the back body region 1R of the absorbent pad 1. The pocket sheet 13 extends laterally across the widthwise centerline of the absorbent pad 1. A predetermined section of the inner longitudinal edge of the pocket sheet 13 forms an edge region that is a free edge that is not joined to other sheets. Most of the widthwise edge of the pocket sheet 13 is joined directly or indirectly to the top sheet 8. The outer longitudinal edge of the pocket sheet 13 is joined to another sheet on the non-skin-facing side of the pocket sheet 13, for example, the top sheet 8. The pocket sheet 13 disposed in the front body region 1F primarily prevents abdominal leakage of urine. The pocket sheet 13 disposed in the back body region 1R primarily prevents back leakage of urine and feces.

[0047] The pocket sheet 13 is joined to other sheets in three directions except for the inner longitudinal end, and only the inner longitudinal end is open toward the inside in the longitudinal direction. In other words, the absorbent pad 1 has a pocket portion P, which is a bag-shaped space formed by the pocket sheet 13 and the sheet disposed on the non-skin-facing side thereof, more specifically, the top sheet 8.

[0048] The discharged liquid flowing outward in the longitudinal direction on the surface of the top sheet 8 enters the pocket portion P. The liquid is absorbed into the pocket P and held in the pocket P. An absorbent core 6C capable of absorbing excreted liquid is arranged on the non-skin-facing side of the pocket P, and the water in the excreted liquid that has entered the pocket P is absorbed by the absorbent core 6C.

[0049] The pocket sheet 13 may be a water-permeable sheet. For example, the pocket sheet 13 may be a film sheet with fine holes arranged in a mesh pattern. By using such a sheet, moisture generated on the skin-facing side of the pocket sheet 13 can be moved into the pocket portion P, making it possible to suppress back leakage and abdominal leakage depending on the position of the pocket sheet 13. Furthermore, the surface of the pocket sheet 13 can be kept dry, improving the comfort of the wearer.

[0050] Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the longitudinal inner end of the pocket sheet. This figure shows a more suitable arrangement example of the pocket sheet 13. As an example, the pocket sheet 13 is bonded at both widthwise ends to the side sheets 9L, 9R, which are leak-proof sheets, with an adhesive HM such as a hot melt adhesive. In other words, 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, the discharged liquid that enters the pocket portion P is prevented from leaking outward in the widthwise direction.

[0051] Furthermore, the pocket sheet 13 is bonded to the middle portion of the leak-barrier wall, not to the rising line of the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R. Specifically, if the height of the leak-barrier wall is 4 cm, the pocket sheet 13 is bonded to the 2 cm portion. When the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R rise due to the biasing force of the elastic threads 3BL, 3BR, the pocket sheet 13 also rises relative to the top sheet 8, forming a pocket portion P, which is a pocket-shaped space. In this way, by indirectly bonding the pocket sheet 13 and the top sheet 8 via the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R and causing the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R to rise toward the skin-facing side, a pocket portion P with a wider opening can be formed. When the pocket portion P is formed in the front body region, it prevents urine flowing along the skin-facing side of the top sheet 8 from reaching the longitudinal ends of the absorbent pad 1, thereby preventing abdominal leakage. When the pocket portion P is formed in the back body region, it prevents watery stool or urine flowing along the skin-facing side of the top sheet 8 from reaching the longitudinal ends of the absorbent pad 1, thereby preventing back leakage.

[0052] 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. Rubber 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, forming a leak-proof barrier. 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, thereby functioning as three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R. It is desirable that the longitudinal inner end of the pocket sheet 13 be positioned sufficiently far from the fixing portions 33L, 33R. By positioning the longitudinal inner end of the pocket sheet 13 in this position, the pocket portion P can be opened to a sufficient height, thereby effectively fulfilling its function.

[0053] As shown in the figure, an end region 13E approximately 10 mm long is disposed at the longitudinal inner edge of the pocket sheet 13. No adhesive is applied to the longitudinal inner edge and widthwise edge of the end region 13E, making it a non-bonded area that is not bonded to the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R. The end region 13E functions as a guide path for excreted fluid. That is, when the wearer excretes in the lateral position and the excreted fluid reaches the pocket portion P formed by the pocket sheet 13, even if some of the excreted fluid reaches the skin-facing side of the end region 13E, the end region 13E bends under the weight of the excreted fluid, thereby guiding the excreted fluid into the pocket-like space.

[0054] It is also possible to bond all of the widthwise edges of the pocket sheet 13 to the side sheets 9L, 9R without providing edge regions that are not bonded to other sheets. However, in this case, there is a risk that the hot melt adhesive HM will seep out, making it difficult for the longitudinal inner edge of the pocket sheet 13 to open, preventing it from fully functioning as a pocket portion P. By providing edge regions 13E that are not bonded as in this configuration, the longitudinal inner edge of the pocket sheet 13 can be kept open at all times. Furthermore, by providing edge regions 13E that are not bonded to the widthwise edges, it is expected that discharged liquid that enters edge regions 13E will push open other adhesive portions, allowing the pocket portion P to be formed larger.

[0055] The end region 13E and the folding line of the absorbent pad 1 may overlap. That is, the end region 13E may overlap the fold in the sealed state. The absorbent pad 1 is sealed in a package in a folded state with the skin-facing side before use. When the wearer or caregiver wears the absorbent pad 1, they unfold the folded absorbent pad 1 toward the non-skin-facing side, unfold it, and stretch it in the longitudinal direction. However, the fold marks from the sealed state remain in the end region 13E, and a portion of the end region 13E is bent toward the skin. By bending a portion of the end region 13E toward the skin, exuded liquid can easily flow between the pocket sheet 13 and the top sheet 8, making it easier for the pocket portion P to function.

[0056] The effect of the pocket portion P can also be enhanced by the structure of the absorbent core 6C. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the upper-layer absorbent mat 6A forming the absorbent core 6C has a smaller area on the skin-facing side than on the non-skin-facing side of the upper-layer absorbent mat 6A in a plan view, and the outer edge portion is inclined from the non-skin-facing side toward the skin-facing side. If a step exists on the outer side of the absorbent core 6C in the width direction on the non-skin-facing side of the pocket sheet 13, this step will likely form an opening in the edge region 13E. When an opening is formed, feces will more easily flow between the pocket sheet 13 and the top sheet 8, causing the pocket portion P formed by the pocket sheet 13 to open larger, making it easier for the pocket portion P to function as a pocket portion P.

[0057] The absorbent pad 1 according to this embodiment also has cutouts 12 at its longitudinal ends. The cutouts 12 are less rigid than other portions of the absorbent pad 1, making them more likely to shrink during wear. Contraction of the cutouts 12 causes the expansion and contraction direction of the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R near the longitudinal ends to be diagonal toward the widthwise center, i.e., toward the widthwise center. As a result, in the extended region of the pocket sheet 13, the contractile force of the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R is exerted not only toward the skin-facing side but also toward the widthwise center. Because the widthwise ends of the pocket sheet 13 are joined to the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R, the pocket sheet 13 bends toward the skin-facing side in response to the bending of the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R. The pocket sheet 13 bends toward the skin-facing side, and the end regions 13E bend toward the skin-facing side in response to this bending. This facilitates the formation of an opening between the pocket sheet 13 and the top sheet 8, thereby providing a pocket sheet 13 with a larger pocket.

[0058] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. 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 the present embodiment, but may also be positioned in either the front body region 1F or the rear body region 1R.

[0059] In addition, the pocket portion P formed by the pocket sheet 13 does not simply prevent the discharged liquid from flowing in. The pocket P may be for purposes other than holding the absorbent pad. For example, when the present invention is applied to pants-type diapers or tape-type diapers, the pocket P may be used as a pocket for aligning the pad. When pants-type diapers or tape-type diapers for adults are used, an absorbent pad is placed between the diaper and the skin, and only the absorbent pad is replaced, thereby reducing the frequency of diaper changes. The pocket P formed by the pocket sheet 13 can also be used as a pocket for inserting the longitudinal end of an absorbent pad used at the same time. By storing the longitudinal end in the pocket P, the position of the absorbent pad relative to the diaper is stabilized, thereby reducing the frequency of diaper soiling and lengthening the interval between diaper changes. Note that by further placing a pocket sheet 13 on an absorbent pad used in combination with a diaper in this manner, it is possible to configure both a pocket for aligning the pad and a pocket P for storing excreted liquid.

[0060] The features included in each of the embodiments and modifications thereof disclosed above can be combined with each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1. Absorbent pad 1F: Front body area 1B...Inseam area 1R: Back body 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 13. Pocket sheet 13E··End area

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; a top sheet covering the skin-facing side of the front body region, the crotch region, and the back body region; a pocket sheet that extends laterally across the center line in the width direction on the skin-facing side of the top sheet, that is joined directly or indirectly to the top sheet at its end in the width direction, and that has an end region in a predetermined section on the inside in the longitudinal direction where its end in the width direction is not joined to another sheet; An absorbent article comprising:

2. The pocket sheet is water permeable. The absorbent article of claim 1.

3. A pair of leak-proof wall-forming sheets are provided that are arranged outside the center in the width direction, The pair of leak-proof wall-forming sheets are 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; The pocket sheet is joined between the joint portion and the free end of the leak-proof wall and is indirectly joined to the top sheet. The absorbent article of claim 1.

4. The pocket sheet is disposed in the front body region. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The pocket sheet is disposed in the rear body region. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

Images