Absorbent article

Abstract

To provide an absorbent article preventing liquid entering between a pocket part and a skin surface from remaining on the skin surface.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 forming skin surface sides of the front body region, the crotch region and the back body region; and a pocket sheet with water permeability 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 a non-bonded part that is not bonded to the top sheet, at a longitudinal inner end.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 excreted fluids such as feces and urine from reaching the longitudinal ends of the absorbent article. However, excreted fluids may not enter the pocket but may find their way between the pocket and the skin. Because the pocket does not have a liquid absorption function, the excreted fluid remains on the wearer's skin, resulting in a poor wearing experience.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article in which liquid that has entered between a pocket portion and the skin surface does not remain on the skin surface. [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 forming the skin-facing side of the front body region, the crotch region, and the back body region, and a water-permeable 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 a non-joined portion at an inner longitudinal end that is not joined to the top sheet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an absorbent article in which liquid that has entered between the pocket portion and the skin surface does not remain on the skin surface. [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. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a micrograph of the pocket sheet. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a photomicrograph of a further preferred 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, 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 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, 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, with the front end of the front body region 1F having a widthwise center portion cut out in an arc toward the crotch region 1B, and the back end of the back body region 1R having a widthwise center portion protruding outward in an arc. Furthermore, at both longitudinal ends of the absorbent pad 1, the widthwise outer ends have an arc-shaped cutout toward the crotch region 1B. The narrowed region in the crotch region 1B has a shape consisting of multiple connected arcs (for example, three arcs in this embodiment) extending outward in the widthwise direction. This planar shape allows the absorbent pad 1 to easily conform to 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] 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 is made up of an upper absorbent mat 6A arranged on the top sheet 8 side and a non-skin facing mat 6B. The absorbent core 6C has a structure in which two layers of absorbent mats, an upper absorbent mat 6A and a lower absorbent mat 6B, are stacked. The upper absorbent mat 6A and the lower absorbent mat 6B are formed from 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 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 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 absorbent mat 6B and is curved. Since the boundary between the absorbent core non-extending region 11 and the absorbent core 6C is curved, the absorbent pad 1 has angular portions like a square wave. The absorbent pad 1 does not have any corners where the angle changes suddenly. Corners where the angle changes suddenly tend to become the base points for bending the absorbent pad 1 along the linear edge. Therefore, the absorbent pad 1 prevents bending of the absorbent pad 1 at corners where the angle changes suddenly, and suppresses pressure on the wearer's skin and bedsores. Furthermore, when worn, the absorbent core non-extension region 11 corresponds to the position where the wearer's ilium protrudes. Therefore, pressure on the ilium by the absorbent core 6C is suppressed, and bedsores can be prevented.

[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, and the front and rear ends are contained within the absorbent core 6C. The grooves 6L and 6R have less absorbent material such as short fibers that form the absorbent core 6C than the portions other than the grooves 6L and 6R, so that the skin-facing side The grooves 6L and 6R may be formed in a concave shape, or may be formed by compressing the absorbent material forming the skin-facing side of the absorbent core 6C in the thickness direction. The grooves 6L and 6R are provided widthwise outside of 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 is provided with a non-water-permeable back sheet 5 (an example of the "non-water-permeable sheet" referred to in this application) placed 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 non-water-permeable 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 repellency to prevent urine and moisture from seeping out of the absorbent pad 1 and breathability to prevent stuffiness when worn. The back sheet 5 is made of a micro It may be breathable by forming a large number of small ventilation holes.

[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, and the widthwise inner ends of this hot melt adhesive HM form standing lines 3LL, 3LR (see Figure 3) which are joints, and the inside of the standing lines 3LL, 3LR form the upstanding three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R. The inside of the standing lines 3LL, 3LR in the widthwise direction of the side sheets 9L, 9R are the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R, and the inside ends of the side sheets 9L, 9R in the widthwise direction are the 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, thread rubber 3BL, 3BR which are thread-like elastic members are attached to the side sheets 9L, 9R in the widthwise direction. Two rubber threads 3BL, 3BR are provided side by side in the longitudinal direction. Note that one rubber thread 3BL, 3BR may be provided on each side. The rubber threads 3BL, 3BR are fixed to the side sheets 9L, 9R with 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 their longitudinal ends. 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 side sheets 9L, 9R are also bonded to the top sheet 8 on their outer widthwise sides, but on the longitudinally inner side of the fixing portions 33L, 33R, the inside in the widthwise direction of the fixing portions 33L, 33R is not bonded, allowing them to stand up toward the skin. When the elastic threads 3BL, 3BR contract, the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R inside the standing lines 3LL, 3LR rise toward the skin, and the free ends 9LB, 9RB become the tips facing the skin. The standing three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R inhibit the movement of liquids and loose stools outward in the width direction 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 end in the longitudinal direction, and only the inner end in the longitudinal direction is a non-joined portion that is not joined to other sheets. The unjoined portion of the pocket sheet 13 is open inward in the longitudinal direction because it is not joined to another sheet, specifically the top sheet 8. The absorbent pad 1 forms a pocket portion P, which is a bag-shaped space, between the pocket sheet 13 and the sheet placed on the non-skin-facing side thereof, more specifically the top sheet 8.

[0048] Exhausted liquid flowing longitudinally outward on the surface of the top sheet 8 enters and is retained in the pocket portion P. An absorbent core 6C capable of absorbing exhausted liquid is disposed on the non-skin facing side of the pocket portion P, and the moisture of the exhausted liquid that enters the pocket portion 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 prevent back leakage or abdominal leakage depending on the position of the pocket sheet 13. Furthermore, since the skin-facing side of the pocket sheet 13 can be kept dry, the comfort of the wearer is improved.

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

[0054] 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.

[0055] Figure 6 is a micrograph of a pocket sheet. The pocket sheet 13 may be made of a film-like material with mesh-like perforations. For example, the pocket sheet 13 is a 12 gsm PE film. The film has a mesh of holes 13H with a diameter of 100-400 μm. The holes 13H allow liquid generated on the skin-facing side of the pocket sheet 13 to pass through to the non-skin-facing side. Since no liquid remains between the skin-facing side and the pocket sheet, the wearing comfort can be improved. A top sheet 8 and an absorbent core 6C are arranged on the non-skin-facing side of the pocket sheet 13, and are capable of absorbing the liquid that passes through.

[0056] FIG. 7 is a micrograph of a more suitable pocket sheet. In the example of FIG. 7, the pocket sheet 13 has a composite structure in which an air-through nonwoven fabric 13F is welded to a film-like material having mesh-like through-holes. As an example, the film-like material is a 12 gsm PE film having mesh-like holes 13H with a diameter of 200 μm, and the air-through nonwoven fabric 13F is a 15 gsm PE / PET, 2.2 dtx hydrophilic nonwoven fabric. Because both the film-like material and the sheath of the air-through nonwoven fabric are made of PE material, heat welding is easy. The feel of the air-through nonwoven fabric 13F is better than that of a film, which can improve wearing comfort.

[0057] Liquid that comes into contact with the air-through nonwoven fabric spreads over a wide area along the air-through nonwoven fabric 13F and penetrates the wide-ranging pores 13H to the non-skin side, thereby increasing the permeation rate. Furthermore, if the liquid contains solids, such as cloudy urine or watery feces, the solids are filtered by the air-through nonwoven fabric 13F, making it difficult for the pores 13H to become clogged with solids, making it easier to maintain permeability. By using such a pocket sheet 13, it is possible to provide a pocket sheet 13 that is both water-permeable and highly functional.

[0058] In the absorbent pad 1 according to this embodiment, even if excreted liquid gets between the pocket sheet 13 and the skin surface, the moisture can be permeated to the non-skin surface, and a state can be maintained in which no excess moisture remains between the pocket sheet 13 and the skin surface. Such an absorbent pad 1 is comfortable to wear and does not cause discomfort to the wearer.

[0059] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the content of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. However, 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 be formed in both the front body region 1F and the rear body region 1R as in this embodiment, or may be disposed in either the front body region 1F or the rear body region 1R.

[0060] Furthermore, the pocket portion P formed by the pocket sheet 13 may have a purpose other than simply receiving and retaining excreted liquid. For example, when the present invention is applied to pants-type diapers or tape-type diapers, the pocket portion P may be used as a pocket for pad alignment. When using pants-type diapers or tape-type diapers for adults, 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 portion P formed by the pocket sheet 13 can also be used as a pocket for inserting the longitudinal end of an absorbent pad used simultaneously. By storing the longitudinal end in the pocket portion 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 pad alignment and a pocket portion P for storing excreted liquid.

[0061] The features included in each of the embodiments and modifications thereof disclosed above can be combined with each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 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 end 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 area 10L,10R・Ear part 11. Absorbent core non-extending region 12. Notch 13. Pocket sheet 13F: Air-through nonwoven fabric 13H...hole

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 that forms the skin-facing side of the front body region, the crotch region, and the back body region; a water-permeable pocket sheet that extends laterally across the center line in the width direction of the skin-facing side of the top sheet, is directly or indirectly joined to the top sheet at the ends in the width direction, and has a non-joined portion that is not joined to the top sheet at an inner end in the longitudinal direction; An absorbent article comprising:

2. The pocket sheet has fine mesh-like through holes. The absorbent article of claim 1.

3. The pocket sheet has an air-through nonwoven fabric. The absorbent article of claim 2.

4. 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.

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

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

Images