Absorbent article

Abstract

To provide an absorbent article which can reduce unpleasantness caused by excrement and can keep a state to move easily in wearing.SOLUTION: A disclosed absorbent article includes a top sheet, a back sheet, and an absorber. The absorber is formed into a two-layer structure including two layers of an upper layer absorber 15 and a lower layer absorber. The upper layer absorber 15 includes embossments 20 on a skin side surface, and the lower layer absorber does not include embossments. A depth of the embossment 20 in the upper layer absorber 15 is 80% or more of a thickness of the upper layer absorber 15. The embossment 20 of the upper layer absorber 15 includes a part which extends for 30 mm or more to one side in a longitudinal direction and extends for 10 mm or more to one side in a width direction from a central part 17 of the upper layer absorber 15. The total sum of a length from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction of the region which is included in the embossment 20 of the upper layer absorber 15 and extends from one side to the other side in the longitudinal direction is 150% or more of a length in the longitudinal direction of the upper layer absorber 15.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to absorbent articles. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an absorbent article. This absorbent article is primarily intended for use as a panty liner, sanitary napkin, panty liner, incontinence pad, etc., and is structured such that an absorbent unit is interposed between a liquid-impermeable backsheet and a liquid-permeable topsheet, and a hydrophilic fiber sheet is disposed between the liquid-permeable topsheet and the absorbent unit to improve absorption and diffusion, wearing comfort, and concealment. The absorbent unit is composed of a lower absorbent body and an upper absorbent body. The left and right sides of the upper absorbent body are provided with absorbent body retention embossments to prevent the upper absorbent body from shifting position or losing its shape. The lower absorbent body is also provided with absorbent body embossments to diffuse absorbed bodily fluids. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-307408 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] After a wearer has excreted, particularly after multiple excretions, an absorbent article such as a disposable diaper will continue to be worn while wet with excrement such as urine until the disposable diaper is changed. When the absorbent article retains excrement, the skin-facing surface of the absorbent article will become wet even if no leakage of excrement occurs to the outside, which may cause discomfort to the wearer and may impede the wearer's mobility.

[0005] The absorbent article described in Patent Document 1 diffuses absorbed body fluids by embossing the lower absorbent body, but does not take into consideration the retention of excrement or the flexibility of the absorbent body.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an absorbent article that reduces discomfort caused by bodily waste and allows the wearer to maintain ease of movement even when wearing it. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a first aspect of the present invention is an absorbent article comprising a liquid-permeable top sheet on the skin side, a liquid-impermeable back sheet on the non-skin side, and an absorbent body arranged between the top sheet and the back sheet, wherein the absorbent body is formed into a two-layer structure consisting of an upper absorbent body located on the skin side and a lower absorbent body located on the non-skin side of the upper absorbent body, the upper absorbent body having an embossment on the skin side and the lower absorbent body having no embossment, the depth of the embossment of the upper absorbent body is 80% or more of the thickness of the upper absorbent body, the embossment of the upper absorbent body includes a portion extending from the center of the upper absorbent body to one side in the longitudinal direction by 30 mm or more and to one side in the width direction by 10 mm or more, and the total length from one end to the other along the longitudinal direction of the region extending from one side to the other in the longitudinal direction included in the embossment of the upper absorbent body is 150% or more of the longitudinal length of the upper absorbent body.

[0008] A second aspect of the present invention is the absorbent article of the first aspect, wherein the thickness of the lower absorbent body is 100% or less of the thickness of the upper absorbent body.

[0009] A third aspect of the present invention is an absorbent article of the first aspect or the second aspect, wherein the sum of the lengths from one end to the other end along the width direction of the region extending from one side to the other side in the width direction included in the embossment of the upper absorbent body is 300% or more of the width direction length of the upper absorbent body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an absorbent article that reduces discomfort caused by bodily waste and allows the wearer to maintain ease of movement even when wearing it. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view of an absorbent article according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the skin side. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the upper absorbent body from the skin side. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are explanatory diagrams showing the sum of the lengths of the embossments in the longitudinal direction and the width direction, where FIG. 1A shows the sum of the lengths of the embossments in the longitudinal direction and FIG. 1B shows the sum of the lengths of the embossments in the width direction. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a method for measuring absorption rate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, an absorbent article according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] In this specification, "wearing an absorbent article" refers to the state in which the absorbent article is worn on the body, regardless of whether the absorbent article is worn before, during, or after absorbing bodily fluids. The "longitudinal direction" refers to the length of the absorbent article, and is the direction along the front and back of the wearer when worn, indicated by arrow X in the figures. The "inner side in the longitudinal direction" refers to the direction toward the center in the longitudinal direction, and the "outer side in the longitudinal direction" refers to the direction away from the center in the longitudinal direction. The "width direction" refers to the direction intersecting (orthogonal to) the longitudinal direction, and is the direction along the left and right of the wearer when worn, indicated by arrow Y in the figures. The "inner side in the width direction" refers to the direction toward the center in the width direction, and the "outer side in the width direction" refers to the direction away from the center in the width direction. The "thickness direction" refers to the direction intersecting (orthogonal to) both the longitudinal direction and the width direction, and is the direction in which the components are stacked, indicated by arrow Z in the figures. Furthermore, "skin side" refers to the direction toward the wearer's body when wearing the absorbent article (the direction indicated by the Z arrow) in the thickness direction, and "non-skin side" refers to the direction opposite to the skin side in the thickness direction. Furthermore, excrement refers to liquids excreted from inside the body to outside, such as urine, blood, and water in loose stools.

[0014] (Absorbent articles) Fig. 1 is a plan view of an absorbent article according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the skin side. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan view of an upper absorbent core, viewed from the skin side. Fig. 2 shows a schematic cross section of the absorbent article.

[0015] The absorbent article 10 according to this embodiment can be used as various absorbent articles for both adults and children, representative examples of which include light incontinence pads, urine absorption pads, pants-type disposable diapers, tape-fastened disposable diapers, sanitary products, etc. Various types of disposable diapers may be used as outerwear in combination with the absorbent article 10 as innerwear.

[0016] 1 and 2, the absorbent article 10 comprises a liquid-permeable top sheet 11 on the skin side, a liquid-impermeable back sheet 12 on the non-skin side, and an absorbent body 13 disposed between the top sheet 11 and the back sheet 12. In addition to these, the absorbent article 10 of this embodiment also comprises three-dimensional gathers 14 on both sides in the width direction (Y direction) provided on the skin side.

[0017] (Top sheet) The top sheet 11 is a liquid-permeable sheet-like substrate that allows bodily fluids to pass quickly toward the absorbent body 13 and diffuse the bodily fluids in the plane direction of the absorbent body 13. The top sheet 11 is a sheet that is positioned on the skin side when worn and is arranged opposite the back sheet 12 with the absorbent body 13 in between. The top sheet 11 is preferably a substrate that is soft to the touch and does not irritate the skin so that it may come into direct contact with the wearer's skin. Examples of the substrate include hydrophilic sheets, composite nonwoven fabrics that are laminates of the same or different hydrophilic sheets, apertured films such as apertured polyethylene films, and foamed films such as polyethylene foam and urethane foam. Examples of hydrophilic sheets include air-through nonwoven fabrics, thermal-bonded nonwoven fabrics, spunlace nonwoven fabrics, and spunbonded nonwoven fabrics made from one or more of synthetic fibers made from synthetic resins such as polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyester, regenerated fibers such as rayon, and natural fibers such as cotton.

[0018] The surface of the top sheet 11 may be embossed or perforated to improve liquid permeability. Any known method can be used to perform the embossing or perforation without any limitation. Furthermore, in order to reduce irritation to the skin, the top sheet 11 may contain lotion, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory ingredients, pH adjusters, antibacterial agents, moisturizers, etc. The shape of the top sheet 11 is not particularly limited, and may be any shape that has a size required to guide bodily fluids to the absorbent body 13 without leakage and that covers part or all of the absorbent body 13.

[0019] (back seat) The backsheet 12 is a sheet positioned away from the skin when worn. The backsheet 12 may be formed using a liquid-impermeable substrate that prevents body fluids held by the absorbent body 13 from wetting the wearer's clothing. Examples of such substrates include resin films and composite sheets that are laminates of resin films and nonwoven fabrics. The nonwoven fabrics used in the composite sheets may be produced by any method, and examples include single-layer nonwoven fabrics such as spunbonded nonwoven fabrics and meltblown nonwoven fabrics, composite nonwoven fabrics such as spunbonded nonwoven fabric / meltblown nonwoven fabric laminates and spunbonded nonwoven fabric / meltblown nonwoven fabric / spunbonded nonwoven fabric laminates, and composite materials thereof. Examples of resin films include polyester, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene, polypropylene, and composite films of polyethylene and polypropylene.

[0020] It is preferable that the back sheet 12 be breathable to prevent stuffiness during wear. To provide breathability to the back sheet 12, for example, a filler may be blended into the resin film substrate or the back sheet 12 may be embossed. An example of the filler is calcium carbonate, and the blending method may be any known method without limitation.

[0021] (absorber) As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the absorbent body 13 has an upper absorbent body 15 located relatively closer to the skin and a lower absorbent body 16 located away from the skin of the upper absorbent body 15, and these are arranged in layers so that they overlap each other. That is, the absorbent body 13 has a two-layer structure consisting of two layers: the upper absorbent body 15 and the lower absorbent body 16. In addition to the upper absorbent body 15 and the lower absorbent body 16, the absorbent body 13 may also have a sheet (carrier sheet) that wraps the upper absorbent body 15 and the lower absorbent body 16, or a sheet arranged between the upper absorbent body 15 and the lower absorbent body 16. That is, the two-layer structure means that there are two layers that mainly function as absorbents, and the above-mentioned sheets are not counted as layers. In this disclosure, the layer located closer to the skin is referred to as the upper layer, and the layer located away from the skin is referred to as the lower layer. In the following description, when both the upper absorbent body 15 and the lower absorbent body 16 are described, the upper absorbent body 15 and the lower absorbent body 16 may be simply referred to as the "absorbent body 13."

[0022] The absorbent body 13 is a member capable of absorbing and retaining mainly bodily fluids, and includes a bodily fluid absorbing material, preferably including absorbent fibers as a base material and a bodily fluid absorbing material retained in the absorbent fibers. The shape of the absorbent body 13 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a rectangular, oval, hourglass, etc.

[0023] (absorbent fiber) The absorbent fiber used as the base material of the absorber 13 is not particularly limited as long as it is one generally used in absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, diapers, and urine absorption pads, and may be formed from materials such as fluff pulp, cotton, rayon, acetate, tissue, absorbent paper, and hydrophilic nonwoven fabric. Among these, fluff pulp is preferably used from the viewpoint of absorbency. Examples of fluff pulp include wood pulp, synthetic fiber, polymer fiber, and non-wood pulp that have been defibrated into a cotton-like state.

[0024] (body fluid absorbing material) The body fluid absorbing material of the absorber 13 is not particularly limited as long as it absorbs and retains body fluids, and examples thereof include super absorbent polymers (SAPs). Examples of SAPs include polyacrylates, polyaspartates, (starch-acrylic acid) graft copolymers, (acrylic acid-vinyl alcohol) copolymers, (isobutylene-maleic anhydride) copolymers, and saponified products thereof. Among these, from the viewpoint of absorption capacity per weight, polyacrylates are preferred, alkali metal polyacrylates are more preferred, and sodium polyacrylate is even more preferred. SAPs can be used alone or in combination of two or more types.

[0025] SAP is used in the form of particles, fibers, etc., for example, but is preferably used in the form of particles from the viewpoint of ease of handling, etc. In this case, by avoiding the use of SAP in the form of a fine powder that has poor fluidity as a powder and using SAP with a medium particle size, it is possible to improve basic absorption performance and reduce the rough feel that occurs when the absorbent body 13 hardens.

[0026] In the absorbent body 13, the absorbent fibers and SAP may be in the form of a mixture of absorbent fibers and SAP particles, or may be in the form of a SAP sheet with SAP particles fixed between absorbent fibers. Another form of absorbent body 13 is an absorbent sheet containing multiple hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics with SAP fixed between the hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics. From the viewpoint of preventing the SAP particles from falling off and stabilizing the shape of the absorbent body 13, it is preferable to wrap the absorbent body 13 in a carrier sheet. The substrate of the carrier sheet may be any hydrophilic material, such as tissue, absorbent paper, or air-laid nonwoven fabric. When the absorbent body 13 includes multiple carrier sheets, the substrates of the carrier sheets may be the same or different.

[0027] (size) The upper absorbent body 15 and the lower absorbent body 16 may have the same dimensions (longitudinal dimensions and widthwise dimensions) in a plan view, or may have different dimensions in at least one of the longitudinal and widthwise directions. In this embodiment, the upper absorbent body 15 and the lower absorbent body 16 have approximately the same dimensions in a plan view.

[0028] The upper absorbent body 15 and the lower absorbent body 16 may have the same or different thickness dimensions (hereinafter referred to as "thickness"). However, it is preferable that the thickness td of the lower absorbent body 16 is 100% or less of the thickness tu of the upper absorbent body 15 (td≦tu). If the thickness td of the lower absorbent body 16 is greater than 100% of the thickness tu of the upper absorbent body 15, the wearing comfort and flexibility of the absorbent article 10 may be impaired. Furthermore, it is preferable that the thickness td of the lower absorbent body 16 is 50% or more of the thickness tu of the upper absorbent body 15. If the thickness td of the lower absorbent body 16 is less than 50% of the thickness tu of the upper absorbent body 15, sufficient absorption performance may not be exhibited. Note that, although the thickness td of the lower absorbent body 16 is smaller than the thickness tu of the upper absorbent body 15 in FIG. 2, the thickness td of the lower absorbent body 16 is smaller than the thickness tu of the upper absorbent body 15, this is not limiting.

[0029] (Upper absorber) As shown in Fig. 3, the upper absorbent body 15 has embossments 20 on its skin-side surface. The embossments 20 have a depth d that is 80% or more of the thickness tu of the upper absorbent body 15, and constitute at least a part of the embossment pattern formed on the skin-side surface of the upper absorbent body 15. In other words, the embossment pattern of the upper absorbent body 15 may include embossments that do not satisfy the above-mentioned depth d requirement. Note that Figs. 1 and 3 show embossments 20 that have a depth d that is 80% or more of the thickness tu of the upper absorbent body 15.

[0030] As described above, the depth d of the embossment 20 is at least 80% of the thickness tu of the upper absorbent body 15. If the depth d of the embossment 20 is less than 80% of the thickness tu of the upper absorbent body 15, there is a risk that the absorbent article 10 will not be able to ensure sufficient flexibility and diffusibility. Furthermore, the depth d of the embossment 20 is preferably no more than 95% of the thickness tu of the upper absorbent body 15. If the depth d of the embossment 20 is greater than 95% of the thickness tu of the upper absorbent body 15, there is a risk that sufficient absorption performance will not be achieved.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3, the embossment 20 of this embodiment has a first embossed portion 21, a pair of second embossed portions 22a, 22b, a pair of third embossed portions 23a, 23b, a pair of fourth embossed portions 24a, 24b, and three fifth embossed portions 25a, 25b, 25c.

[0032] The first embossed portion 21 extends linearly along the longitudinal direction at the widthwise center of the upper absorbent body 15. Both longitudinal ends of the first embossed portion 21 are located near both longitudinal edges of the upper absorbent body 15.

[0033] The pair of second embossed portions 22a, 22b extend linearly from the central portion 17 of the upper absorbent body 15 toward both corners on one side in the longitudinal direction (the upper side in the figure). One end of each of the pair of second embossed portions 22a, 22b on the central portion 17 side is connected to the first embossed portion 21. The other end of each of the pair of second embossed portions 22a, 22b is disposed near a corner of the upper absorbent body 15. The pair of second embossed portions 22a, 22b are inclined with respect to both the longitudinal direction (X direction) and the width direction (Y direction). The pair of second embossed portions 22a, 22b are formed symmetrically with respect to the first embossed portion 21.

[0034] The pair of third embossed portions 23a, 23b extend linearly from the central portion 17 of the upper absorbent body 15 toward one side in the longitudinal direction so as to gradually separate from each other. The pair of third embossed portions 23a, 23b are located on one side in the longitudinal direction of the imaginary center line CL that is located at the longitudinal center of the upper absorbent body 15 and on the other side in the longitudinal direction of the pair of second embossed portions 22a, 22b (lower side in the figure). One end of the pair of third embossed portions 23a, 23b on the central portion 17 side is connected to the first embossed portion 21 at approximately the same position as one end of the pair of second embossed portions 22a, 22b. The other ends of the pair of third embossed portions 23a, 23b are located near both widthwise edges of the upper absorbent body 15. The pair of third embossed portions 23a, 23b are inclined with respect to both the longitudinal direction (X direction) and the width direction (Y direction). The pair of third embossed portions 23a, 23b are formed symmetrically with respect to the first embossed portion 21.

[0035] The pair of fourth embossed portions 24a, 24b extend linearly from the central portion 17 of the upper absorbent body 15 toward both corners on the other side in the longitudinal direction (the lower side in the figure). One end of the pair of fourth embossed portions 24a, 24b on the central portion 17 side is connected to the first embossed portion 21. The other end of the pair of fourth embossed portions 24a, 24b is disposed near a corner of the upper absorbent body 15. The pair of fourth embossed portions 24a, 24b are inclined with respect to both the longitudinal direction (X direction) and the width direction (Y direction). The pair of fourth embossed portions 24a, 24b are formed symmetrically with respect to the first embossed portion 21.

[0036] The three fifth embossed portions 25a, 25b, 25c are arranged inside the pair of fourth embossed portions 24a, 24b in the width direction, and extend linearly along the width direction while being spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction while intersecting the first embossed portion 21. That is, the three fifth embossed portions 25a, 25b, 25c extend parallel to each other along the width direction.

[0037] The embossment 20 includes a portion extending from the central portion 17 of the upper absorbent body 15 by 30 mm or more to one side in the longitudinal direction and by 10 mm or more to one side in the width direction. For example, in this embodiment, the pair of second embossed portions 22a, 22b has a length L2 along the longitudinal direction of 30 mm or more and a length W2 along the width direction of 10 mm or more. In addition, in this embodiment, the pair of fourth embossed portions 24a, 24b also has a length L4 along the longitudinal direction of 30 mm or more and a length W4 along the width direction of 10 mm or more. That is, the embossment 20 of this embodiment includes portions (the pair of second embossed portions 22a, 22b and the pair of fourth embossed portions 24a, 24b) extending from the central portion 17 of the upper absorbent body 15 by 30 mm or more to one side in the longitudinal direction and by 10 mm or more to one side in the width direction.

[0038] (Total length in the longitudinal direction) The sum of the lengths from one end to the other along the longitudinal direction of the regions included in the embossment 20 of the upper absorbent body 15 extending from one side to the other in the longitudinal direction (hereinafter referred to as the "longitudinal length") is 150% or more of the longitudinal length L of the upper absorbent body 15. The regions extending from one side to the other in the longitudinal direction are regions excluding regions extending linearly in the width direction (Y direction) and are regions extending in one longitudinal direction (from one side to the other). In this embodiment, of the embossment 20, the first embossed portion 21, the pair of second embossed portions 22a, 22b, the pair of third embossed portions 23a, 23b, and the pair of fourth embossed portions 24a, 24b, excluding the three fifth embossed portions 25a, 25b, 25c extending linearly in the width direction, are regions extending from one side to the other in the longitudinal direction. That is, the sum (L1 + (L2 × 2) + (L3 × 2) + (L4 × 2)) of the longitudinal length L1 of the first embossed portion 21, the longitudinal length L2 of the pair of second embossed portions 22a, 22b, the longitudinal length L3 of the pair of third embossed portions 23a, 23b, and the longitudinal length L4 of the pair of fourth embossed portions 24a, 24b is 150% or more of the longitudinal length L of the upper absorbent body 15. Details of the sum of the longitudinal lengths will be described later.

[0039] If the total longitudinal length of the embossments 20 of the upper absorbent body 15 is less than 150% of the longitudinal length L of the upper absorbent body 15, there is a risk that sufficient diffusibility may not be ensured in the absorbent article 10. Furthermore, it is preferable that the total longitudinal length of the embossments 20 is 300% or less of the longitudinal length L of the upper absorbent body 15. If the total longitudinal length of the embossments 20 is greater than 300% of the longitudinal length L of the upper absorbent body 15, there is a risk that the stiffness in the longitudinal direction will be too high, resulting in a loss of comfort when worn.

[0040] (Total widthwise length) The sum of the lengths from one end to the other along the width direction of the regions extending from one side to the other in the width direction included in the embossment 20 of the upper absorbent body 15 in the embossment (hereinafter referred to as "width direction length") is preferably 300% or more of the width direction length W of the upper absorbent body 15. The regions extending from one side to the other in the width direction are regions excluding regions extending linearly in the longitudinal direction (X direction) and are regions extending in one direction in the width direction (from one side to the other). In this embodiment, of the embossment 20, excluding the first embossed portion 21 extending linearly in the longitudinal direction, the pair of second embossed portions 22a, 22b, the pair of third embossed portions 23a, 23b, the pair of fourth embossed portions 24a, 24b, and the three fifth embossed portions 25a, 25b, 25c are regions extending from one side to the other in the width direction. That is, the sum ((W2×2)+(W3×2)+(W4×2)+(W5×3)) of the widthwise length W2 of the pair of second embossed portions 22a, 22b, the widthwise length W3 of the pair of third embossed portions 23a, 23b, the widthwise length W4 of the pair of fourth embossed portions 24a, 24b, and the widthwise length W5 of the three fifth embossed portions 25a, 25b, 25c is preferably 300% or more of the widthwise length W of the upper absorbent body 15. Details of the sum of the widthwise lengths will be described later.

[0041] If the total widthwise length of the embossments 20 of the upper absorbent body 15 is less than 300% of the widthwise length W of the upper absorbent body 15, there is a risk that the structural retention ability and bodily exudate diffusion ability of the absorbent article 10 may not be sufficiently ensured. Furthermore, the total widthwise length of the embossments 20 is preferably 800% or less of the widthwise length W of the upper absorbent body 15. If the total widthwise length of the embossments 20 is greater than 800% of the widthwise length W of the upper absorbent body 15, the stiffness in the widthwise direction may be too high, which may impair wearing comfort, and further, bodily exudates may be excessively diffused in the widthwise direction, which may cause leakage.

[0042] The embossing pattern formed by the embossments 20 is not limited to those shown in Figures 1 and 3. The embossing pattern formed by the embossments 20 may include a portion extending from the center portion 17 of the upper absorbent body 15 to one side in the longitudinal direction by 30 mm or more and to one side in the width direction by 10 mm or more, and the total longitudinal length may be 150% or more of the longitudinal length L of the upper absorbent body 15.

[0043] (Explanation of the sum of the longitudinal length and the sum of the width length) Next, the total length of the embossment in the longitudinal direction and the total length of the embossment in the width direction will be described in detail using an embossment 30 including a curved portion shown in FIG.

[0044] Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the total length of the embossment in the longitudinal direction and the total length in the width direction, where (a) shows the total length in the longitudinal direction and (b) shows the total length in the width direction. In Fig. 4, each region is separated by a line to make it easier to understand.

[0045] First, we will explain how to calculate the sum of the longitudinal lengths of the regions included in the emboss 30 that extend from one side to the other in the longitudinal direction. As shown in Fig. 4(a), the emboss 30 has three regions x1, x2, and x3 that extend in one longitudinal direction, excluding the region that extends linearly along the width direction (Y direction). Therefore, these three regions x1, x2, and x3 are the regions included in the emboss 30 that extend from one side to the other in the longitudinal direction (X direction). The sum of the longitudinal lengths of the regions included in the emboss 30 that extend from one side to the other in the longitudinal direction is the sum of the longitudinal lengths of these regions x1, x2, and x3 (Lx1 + Lx2 + Lx3). In addition, even in the case of an area that extends linearly in the width direction (for example, the three fifth embossed portions 25a, 25b, 25c in this embodiment), if the embossed width (the length in the direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the embossed) is 20% or more of the length along the extension direction of the area (the direction along its shape), the embossed width of the area is also included in the total longitudinal length.

[0046] Next, a description will be given of how to calculate the sum of the widthwise lengths of regions included in the embossment 30 that extend from one side to the other in the width direction. As shown in FIG. 4(b), the embossment 30 has five regions y1, y2, y3, y4, and y5 that extend in one direction in the width direction, excluding regions that extend linearly along the longitudinal direction (X direction). Therefore, these five regions y1, y2, y3, y4, and y5 are regions included in the embossment 30 that extend from one side to the other in the width direction. The sum of the widthwise lengths of the regions included in the emboss 30 that extend from one side to the other in the width direction is the sum of the widthwise lengths of these regions y1, y2, y3, y4, and y5 (Wy1+Wy2+Wy3+Wy4+Wy5). In addition, even in the case of an area that extends linearly in the longitudinal direction (for example, the first embossed portion 21 in this embodiment), if the embossed width (the length in the direction perpendicular to the extension direction) is 20% or more of the length along the extension direction of the area, the embossed width of the area is also included in the total widthwise length.

[0047] (Lower absorber) As shown in FIG. 3, the lower absorbent body 16 does not have embossments.

[0048] (3D gathers) As shown in Figures 1 and 2, left and right three-dimensional gathers 14 are provided on both the left and right sides of the skin-facing side of the absorbent article 10 to prevent side leakage of bodily fluids excreted by the wearer. The three-dimensional gathers 14 are provided on both widthwise ends of the skin-facing side of the top sheet 11, extending along the longitudinal direction. The three-dimensional gathers 14 include a water-repellent and / or waterproof gathered sheet 14a, and an elastic, stretchable member 14b, such as rubber thread, that is provided on the free end side (the inner end side in the widthwise direction) of the gathered sheet 14a and provides it with upstanding properties. In this embodiment, left and right three-dimensional gathers 14 are provided in the absorbent article 10, but the left and right three-dimensional gathers 14 are not necessarily provided.

[0049] In the absorbent article 10 configured as described above, the absorbent body 13 has a two-layer structure consisting of an upper absorbent body 15 located on the skin side and a lower absorbent body 16 located on the non-skin side of the upper absorbent body 15. The upper absorbent body 15 has an embossment 20 on the skin side, while the lower absorbent body 16 has no embossment. The depth d of the embossment 20 of the upper absorbent body 15 is at least 80% of the thickness tu of the upper absorbent body 15. The embossment 20 of the upper absorbent body 15 includes portions (a pair of second embossed portions 22a, 22b and a pair of fourth embossed portions 24a, 24b) extending from the central portion 17 of the upper absorbent body 15 by at least 30 mm to one side in the longitudinal direction and by at least 10 mm to one side in the width direction. In addition, the sum of the lengths from one end to the other along the longitudinal direction of the areas (first embossed portion 21, a pair of second embossed portions 22a, 22b, a pair of third embossed portions 23a, 23b, and a pair of fourth embossed portions 24a, 24b) included in the embossment 20 of the upper absorbent body 15 is 150% or more of the longitudinal length of the upper absorbent body 15.

[0050] In this way, by providing the embossments 20 only on the upper absorbent body 15 of the two-layer absorbent body 13 and appropriately setting the depth d, placement position, length, and total longitudinal length of the embossments 20, it is possible to ensure the diffusion and retention of body exudates, as well as the flexibility of the absorbent article 10 after absorbing the body exudates. This reduces the discomfort felt by the wearer due to body exudates, and allows the wearer to maintain ease of movement even while wearing the absorbent article.

[0051] Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an absorbent article that reduces discomfort caused by body waste and allows the wearer to maintain ease of movement even when wearing it.

[0052] Although the present invention has been described above based on the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the content of the above embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the scope of the present invention. In other words, all other embodiments, examples, operational techniques, etc. made by those skilled in the art based on this embodiment are naturally included in the scope of the present invention. [Example]

[0053] The present embodiment will be described in more detail below with reference to examples and comparative examples, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

[0054] (Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 to 4) Absorbent articles of Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 to 4 were produced under the conditions shown in Table 1. In Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 to 4, the upper absorbent body and the lower absorbent body were formed to have the same dimensions (longitudinal length, widthwise length, and thickness). In Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 to 4, the embossing depth was set to 7 mm. In Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 to 4, the embossing of the upper absorbent body included a portion extending from the center of the upper absorbent body to one side in the longitudinal direction by 30 mm or more and to one side in the widthwise direction by 10 mm or more.

[0055] The absorbent articles of Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 to 4 were evaluated in the following three ways (evaluation of "absorption speed," evaluation of "amount of water retained during centrifugal dehydration after absorbing 450 mL of water," and evaluation of "comfort") Each evaluation was performed after maintaining the absorbent articles in an equilibrium state under the temperature and humidity conditions specified in JIS P8111 (23±1°C, 50±2% RH).

[0056] (Absorption rate) The "absorption rate" was measured by the following method: Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram of the method for measuring the absorption rate.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 5, first, an absorbent article serving as sample S is spread out on a horizontal table 100 and fixed to the table 100 (for example, by fixing both sides in a predetermined direction with packing tape). Next, an absorption rate measurement jig 200 is placed in the center of sample S. The absorption rate measurement jig 200 is an acrylic jig having a rectangular bottom plate 200a and a tubular portion 200b extending upward from the center of the bottom plate 200a, with the lower end of the tubular portion 200b penetrating the bottom plate 200a. Next, two weights 300 are placed on the bottom plate 200a so as to sandwich the tubular portion 200b of the absorption rate measurement jig 200 from both sides. Next, saline (150 ml) is poured into the tubular portion 200b from above, and the time from the pouring until the saline liquid level is completely absorbed by the sample S is measured in seconds to two decimal places. This measured value is the absorption rate. The bottom plate 200a of the absorption rate measurement jig 200 has a width a of 100 mm and a length b of 140 mm. The cylindrical portion 200b of the absorption rate measurement jig 200 has an inner diameter of 36 mm and an outer diameter of 40 mm. The weight of the weight 300 is such that the load (pressure) acting on the sample S by the two weights 300 is 10 gf / cm. 2 The physiological saline solution is an aqueous solution of NaCl with a concentration of 0.9% (w / w). The accuracy of the stopwatch is ±0.0008%.

[0058] (Retained water content) The "water retention amount during centrifugal dehydration after absorbing 450 mL of water" was measured using the following method. First, two samples were prepared for each absorbent article. For products that shrink due to gathers, the gathers were cut to prevent shrinkage and the product was flattened to use as the sample. For products that do not shrink due to gathers, the sample was used as is. Next, the initial weight of each sample was measured. Next, 450 mL of saline was poured into each sample and left for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, the samples were dehydrated for 3 minutes at a centrifugal force of 10 G using a centrifugal dehydrator (ODO Sangyo Co., Ltd., OMD-10RZ4RY model). The samples were arranged symmetrically in the centrifugal dehydrator, with the skin-facing side facing outward in the radial direction, so that they did not overlap each other. After 3 minutes, each sample was removed from the centrifugal dehydrator and its weight after dehydration was measured. Next, for each sample, the weight after dehydration was subtracted from the initial weight, and the average value of the two samples was used as the "water retention amount after 450 mL of water absorption and centrifugal dehydration." Note that the saline solution used was a 0.9% (w / w) NaCl aqueous solution. The accuracy of the stopwatch was ±0.0008%.

[0059] (Comfort) The "comfort" evaluation was a sensory evaluation by 20 monitors. Each monitor wore an absorbent article (hereinafter referred to as the "absorbent article") that had absorbed 150 mL of physiological saline (concentration 0.9% (w / w)), and comprehensively evaluated the comfort of the absorbent article while exercising and while sitting. The comfort of the absorbent article during exercise was the comfort of the absorbent article after walking for 5 minutes at a normal walking speed while wearing the absorbent article. The comfort of the absorbent article while sitting was the comfort of the absorbent article after 30 minutes of sitting in a chair while wearing the absorbent article. While sitting, the monitors were asked to perform simple desk work and were allowed to adjust their posture, but were prohibited from standing. Each monitor then comprehensively evaluated the comfort of the absorbent article during exercise and while sitting, rating it as "comfortable," "somewhat bothersome," or "uncomfortable." A rating of "comfortable" was given 2 points, a rating of "slightly bothersome" was given 1 point, and a rating of "uncomfortable" was given 0 points.The evaluation was based on the total score of each monitor's rating and on the following criteria. ○: When the total score is 30 or more △: When the total score is between 10 and 30 points ×: When the total score is less than 10 points

[0060] The results obtained are shown in Tables 1 and 2.

[0061] [Table 1]

[0062] As can be seen from Table 1, the present disclosure can provide an absorbent article that reduces discomfort caused by bodily excrement and allows the wearer to maintain ease of movement even when wearing it. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 10: Absorbent articles 11: Top sheet 12: Back seat 13: Absorbent 15: Upper absorber 16: Lower absorber 17: Central part 20:Emboss

Claims

1. An absorbent article comprising a liquid-permeable top sheet on the skin side, a liquid-impermeable back sheet on the non-skin side, and an absorbent body disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet, The absorbent body is formed into a two-layer structure consisting of an upper absorbent body positioned on the skin side and a lower absorbent body positioned on the non-skin side of the upper absorbent body, The upper absorbent body has an embossed surface on the skin side, The lower absorbent body has no embossing, the depth of the embossment of the upper absorbent body is 80% or more of the thickness of the upper absorbent body; the embossment of the upper absorbent body includes a portion extending from a central portion of the upper absorbent body to one side in the longitudinal direction by 30 mm or more and to one side in the width direction by 10 mm or more, The sum of the lengths from one end to the other end along the longitudinal direction of the region included in the embossment of the upper absorbent body and extending from one side to the other side in the longitudinal direction is 150% or more of the length of the upper absorbent body in the longitudinal direction. An absorbent article characterized by:

2. The thickness of the lower absorbent body is 100% or less of the thickness of the upper absorbent body.

2. The absorbent article according to claim 1.

3. The sum of the lengths from one end to the other end along the width direction of the region included in the embossment of the upper absorbent body and extending from one side to the other side in the width direction is 300% or more of the length of the upper absorbent body in the width direction.

3. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or claim 2.

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