Absorbent article

Abstract

To provide an absorbent article that is thin and easy to wear while securing absorbency of a crotch part corresponding to a wearer's crotch.SOLUTION: An absorbent article (1) comprises a plurality of layers (21 to 23). The plurality of layers include constricted layers (21 and 22), where the constricted layers (21 and 22) have liquid-absorbent fibers, and the plurality of layers include extension layers (23) different from the constricted layers (21 and 22). The extension layers (23) have parts (23E) extending outward in a width direction beyond side ends (212e and 222e) of the constricted parts (212 and 222), and in at least one of the extension layers (23), a volume occupied by superabsorbent polymers is larger than a volume occupied by the liquid-absorbent fibers. A weight with a base area of 150 cm2 and a weight of 5 kg is placed on the absorbent article for 24 hours in a state where the absorbent article is folded in half at a center of a fold in the longitudinal direction, and when the weight is removed, the thickness of the absorbent article at the center of the fold in the width direction is 6.4 mm or less.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] There are known absorbent articles including an absorbent body using a superabsorbent polymer or an absorbent body in which a superabsorbent polymer is mixed with a liquid-absorbent fiber. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an absorbent article including an absorbent body having a laminated structure in which a first layer in which a water-absorbent polymer is carried in a stack of a fiber material and a second layer in which a water-absorbent polymer is disposed between two base sheets, the first layer having a larger basis weight of the water-absorbent polymer than the second layer, and the second layer having a portion in the crotch portion where the water-absorbent polymer has a higher density than the first layer. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-37758 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The absorbent core in Patent Document 1 has a crotch extension in the crotch area, where the second layer extends laterally outward from the side edge of the first layer. By increasing the basis weight of the absorbent polymer in the first layer within the extension, the absorption capacity of the first layer is improved, enhancing overall absorption performance. By increasing the density of the absorbent polymer in the second layer, the second layer swells after absorption, improving cushioning and improving the comfort of the absorbent article. However, although the absorbent core in Patent Document 1 is composed of multiple laminated layers, the absorbent core as a whole is rectangular in plan view, and the crotch area is not designed to be narrow, which can cause snagging and make it difficult to pull up. Furthermore, in the case of an absorbent core having a layer containing a mixture of a superabsorbent polymer and a fibrous material (liquid-absorbent fiber), narrowing the width of the crotch area and reducing its thickness to ensure ease of pulling up can lead to leakage. Conversely, narrowing the width of the crotch area and increasing its thickness can cause the thickness to get in the way and make it difficult to pull up.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide an absorbent article that is thin and easy to put on while ensuring absorbency in the crotch area corresponding to the wearer's crotch. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The main invention for achieving the above object is an absorbent article having an absorbent core which, in an unfolded state, has a longitudinal direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction which are orthogonal to one another, and which contains liquid-absorbent fibers and a superabsorbent polymer, wherein the absorbent core has a plurality of layers stacked in the thickness direction, the plurality of layers having a constricted layer with a constricted portion in a crotch region corresponding to the crotch of a wearer, the width of the constricted portion being narrower than the maximum width of one end of the constricted layer in the longitudinal direction, the constricted layer containing the liquid-absorbent fibers, the plurality of layers having extension layers different from the constricted layer, the extension layers having portions which extend outward in the width direction beyond the side ends of the constricted portion, and in at least one of the extension layers, the volume occupied by the superabsorbent polymer is greater than the volume occupied by the liquid-absorbent fibers, When the absorbent article is folded in half at the center fold in the longitudinal direction, the base area is 150 cm 2 The absorbent article is characterized in that, after placing a weight of 5 kg on the absorbent article for 24 hours and then removing the weight, the thickness of the folded portion at the center in the width direction is 6.4 mm or less. Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an absorbent article that is thin and easy to put on while ensuring absorbency in the crotch area corresponding to the crotch area of the wearer. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a diaper 1. [Figure 2] 1 is a plan view of the diaper 1 in an unfolded and stretched state, as viewed from the skin side. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are a plan view and a cross-sectional view of an absorbent main body 10 in an extended state. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an absorbent body 20. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a plan view of absorbent cores 21 to 23 superimposed on one another. [Figure 7] 7A is a plan view of the skin side layer 21 and the intermediate layer 22, and FIG. 7B is a plan view of the non-skin side layer 23. As shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a weight W is placed. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the measurement of the folded portion F. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams of the torsion test. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the process for achieving an absorbing state. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a plan view of absorbent cores 21 to 23 superimposed on one another. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the absorbent body 20 as seen from the skin side. [Figure 14] 1 is a plan view of a portion of the diaper 1 in an unfolded and stretched state. [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a diaper 1 as seen from the front side (ventral side). [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is another schematic plan view of the diaper 1 as seen from the front side (ventral side). [Figure 17] 1 is a schematic plan view of a diaper 1 in an unfolded and stretched state, as viewed from the non-skin side. [Figure 18] 1 is an example of the measurement results of particle size distribution of SAP. [Figure 19] 10 is a plan view illustrating the area where SAP particles and adhesive are provided in the core wrap sheet 26. FIG. [Figure 20] This is a photograph taken at 40x magnification of a portion of the skin side of the core wrap sheet 26 in the inner region IR. [Figure 21] This is a photograph taken at 40x magnification of a portion of the skin side of the core wrap sheet 26 in the outer region OR. [Figure 22] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the non-skin side layer 23. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] At least the following matters will become clear from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings. (Aspect 1) An absorbent article having an absorbent core which, in an unfolded state, has a longitudinal direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction which are orthogonal to one another, and which contains a liquid-absorbent fiber and a superabsorbent polymer, wherein the absorbent core has a plurality of layers laminated in the thickness direction, the plurality of layers including a constricted layer having a constricted portion in a crotch portion corresponding to the crotch of a wearer, the width of the constricted portion being narrower than the maximum width of one end of the constricted layer in the longitudinal direction, the constricted layer including the liquid-absorbent fiber, the plurality of layers including an extension layer different from the constricted layer, the extension layer having a portion which extends outward in the width direction beyond the side ends of the constricted portion, and in at least one of the extension layers, the volume occupied by the superabsorbent polymer is larger than the volume occupied by the liquid-absorbent fiber, and when the absorbent article is folded in half at a fold in the center in the longitudinal direction, the base area is 150 cm 2 The absorbent article is characterized in that, after placing a weight of 5 kg on the absorbent article for 24 hours and then removing the weight, the thickness of the folded portion at the center in the width direction is 6.4 mm or less.

[0010] According to the first aspect, the constricted layer has a constricted portion that corresponds to the shape of the crotch area, which reduces snagging when pulling up and makes it easier to pull up. Furthermore, the presence of the constricted portion allows the garment to be closer to the wearer's crotch when put on, improving fit and reducing the need to readjust the crotch area after putting on. The constricted portion contains liquid-absorbent fibers, which helps prevent the constricted shape from collapsing. The extension layer extending from the constricted portion ensures absorbency in the crotch area, while its thin thickness makes it easy to put on.

[0011] (Aspect 2) The absorbent article of aspect 1 is an absorbent article in which, in a torsion test in which the center portions of the longitudinal direction of both widthwise ends of the absorbent article in the folded state are grasped and twisted around an imaginary axis along the width direction, and the center portions of the widthwise ends of the absorbent article in the folded state are grasped and twisted around an imaginary axis along the longitudinal direction, the torque value of the absorbent article before absorption is 23.4 mN·m or less.

[0012] According to the second aspect, not only is the thickness thin, but the bending resistance (torque value) before absorption is low, so that the diaper is soft and easy to wear.

[0013] (Aspect 3) In the absorbent article according to aspect 1 or 2, the absorbent core has a low-basis-weight region in the crotch region that has a lower basis weight than the surrounding area and that extends along the longitudinal direction.

[0014] According to the third aspect, the low basis weight region allows the crotch area to deform easily when pulled up or while being worn, reducing snagging when pulled up. Also, the low basis weight region allows excreted fluid to be more easily dispersed, improving absorbency.

[0015] (Aspect 4) In the absorbent article according to any one of Aspects 1 to 3, the absorbent core has a portion where the number of layers stacked is small at least on one of the longitudinal end portions and the other longitudinal end portion.

[0016] According to aspect 4, areas with fewer layers are thinner, and by having such areas at one or the other end of the absorbent core, the thickness is reduced when worn, making it less likely to get caught when pulled up and easier to pull up.

[0017] (Aspect 5) An absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 4, wherein one of the plurality of layers has a first low basis weight region having a basis weight lower than that of the surrounding area, and a layer of the plurality of layers other than the layer having the first low basis weight region has a second low basis weight region having a basis weight lower than that of the surrounding area, and the first low basis weight region and the second low basis weight region have an overlapping portion in a planar view.

[0018] According to the fifth aspect, the overlapping of the low basis weight regions facilitates deformation of the absorbent core when pulled up, reducing snagging and making the absorbent core easier to pull up. Furthermore, the overlapping of the low basis weight regions in multiple layers creates a path for excreted liquid, facilitating the transfer of excreted liquid from one layer containing a low basis weight region to the other layer containing a low basis weight region. This helps prevent leakage.

[0019] (Aspect 6) Aspect 6 is the absorbent article according to any one of Aspects 1 to 5, wherein the maximum width of the constricted layer and the maximum width of the extension layer in the width direction are different.

[0020] According to the sixth aspect, in the region where the maximum width of the constricted layer and the maximum width of the extension layer differ, the widthwise ends of the absorbent body are thin and have low rigidity. If such a low-rigidity region is in the crotch region, the absorbent body is less likely to get caught and is easier to pull up. Even if the low-rigidity region is in the groin region or the region extending from the crotch region to the buttocks, the widthwise ends will feel good against the skin and will be less likely to get caught.

[0021] (Aspect 7) In the absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 6, in the constricted portion, the maximum width of the constricted layer in the width direction is larger than the maximum width of the extension layer in the width direction.

[0022] According to the seventh aspect, the extension layer has a portion extending in the width direction from the constricted portion, but when viewed as a whole, the maximum width of the constricted layer is greater than the maximum width of the extension layer, and there is a constricted portion from which the extension layer does not extend. This prevents the portion of the extension layer extending in the width direction from being excessively positioned, which could cause snagging, and maintains the ease of pulling up.

[0023] (Aspect 8) This is an absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 7, wherein when one side in the longitudinal direction is the wearer's abdominal side and the other side in the longitudinal direction is the wearer's back side, the narrowest part of the constricted portion, which has the smallest width in the width direction, is located on the abdominal side in the longitudinal direction.

[0024] According to aspect 8, if the part corresponding to the wearer's groin is not constricted when pulling up, it will easily get caught. However, by having the part of the constricted part where the constriction is greatest (the above-mentioned minimum width part) located on the ventral side, the part corresponding to the groin is constricted, making it easier to pull up when pulling up and improving the wearing comfort.

[0025] (Aspect 9) In the absorbent article according to any one of Aspects 1 to 8, the absorbent core has a plurality of compressed portions formed so as to compress the absorbent core in the thickness direction.

[0026] According to the ninth aspect, the compressed portion allows the absorbent core to be deformed due to the difference in rigidity, reducing the risk of it getting caught when pulled up. Furthermore, the deformation caused by the difference in rigidity makes it easier to conform to the shape of the wearer's body, reducing the need for adjustment after wearing.

[0027] (Aspect 10) The absorbent article is a pants-type absorbent article having an absorbent main body including the absorbent core and a pair of waistband portions joined by a pair of side joining portions at both side portions in the width direction, the absorbent main body having a pair of leg gather portions on both sides in the width direction and having a vertical direction perpendicular to the width direction, and the leg gather portions are provided with three or more leg gather elastic members that stretch along the vertical direction, In the unfolded and stretched state, the absorbent article is the one according to any one of aspects 1 to 9, wherein in the unfolded and stretched state, the region between the innermost leg gather elastic member and the outermost leg gather elastic member in the width direction is defined as a leg gather elastic region, the region located on the inner side when the leg gather elastic region is divided into two equal parts in the width direction is defined as an inner leg gather elastic region, and the region located on the outer side is defined as an outer leg gather elastic region, and the average value of the length of the portion of the leg gather elastic member located in the inner leg gather elastic region where a stretchable force is applied in the longitudinal direction is 10% or more shorter than the average value of the length of the portion of the leg gather elastic member located in the outer leg gather elastic region where a stretchable force is applied in the longitudinal direction.

[0028] According to the tenth aspect, by providing a portion in the inner leg gather elastic region where the effective length of the leg gather elastic member is short, the stretching force is less likely to act on the absorbent body. Furthermore, in the portion where the effective length of the leg gather elastic member is short, the rigidity of the inner leg gather elastic region itself is reduced, and this region deforms to cushion the stretching force, thereby suppressing deformation of the absorbent body. Furthermore, the lower rigidity of the inner leg gather elastic region closer to the crotch makes it less likely to get caught when pulled up.

[0029] (Aspect 11) An absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 10, which has a plurality of transverse elastic members that stretch in the width direction, and in a stretched state, the transverse elastic members that overlap with the absorbent core in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent core are not arranged continuously from one end to the other end of the absorbent core in the width direction.

[0030] According to the eleventh aspect, the transverse elastic member does not continuously straddle the absorbent core in the width direction, thereby suppressing deformation of the absorbent core. When the absorbent body is shrunk, it becomes thicker due to wrinkles and is more likely to get caught, but by suppressing the shrinkage, it becomes easier to pull up, improving wearability.

[0031] (Aspect 12) The absorbent article is a pants-type absorbent article having an absorbent main body including the absorbent core, a transverse elastic member that stretches in the width direction, and a pair of waistband portions joined by a pair of side joint portions on both sides in the width direction, and is an absorbent article described in any of aspects 1 to 11, wherein the transverse elastic member continuously traverses the portion of the absorbent main body where the absorbent core is not present in the width direction from one end to the other end in the width direction.

[0032] According to the twelfth aspect, when pulling up by holding the waist portion, the lateral elastic members arranged continuously in the width direction of the absorbent main body transmit the pulling force to the absorbent main body, making it easier to pull up.

[0033] (Aspect 13) The absorbent article of any one of aspects 1 to 12, wherein the plurality of layers include a skin-side layer having a first thickness and in which the volume occupied by the superabsorbent polymer is larger than the volume occupied by the liquid-absorbent fiber, an intermediate layer having a second thickness and in which the volume occupied by the liquid-absorbent fiber is larger than the volume occupied by the superabsorbent polymer, and a non-skin-side layer having a third thickness and in which the volume occupied by the superabsorbent polymer is larger than the volume occupied by the liquid-absorbent fiber, wherein the intermediate layer is located closer to the skin side in the thickness direction than the skin-side layer, and the non-skin-side layer is located closer to the skin side in the thickness direction than the intermediate layer.

[0034] According to the thirteenth aspect, compared to an absorbent core constructed of layers in which, for example, superabsorbent polymer and liquid-absorbent fiber are mixed and integrated, by constructing the absorbent core in a separate layer configuration in which the layer with a high volume occupancy rate of superabsorbent polymer and the layer with a high volume occupancy rate of liquid-absorbent fiber are separate layers, each layer is more likely to deform, and the absorbent core as a whole is more likely to deform. Therefore, the number of areas that are more likely to deform when the absorbent core is pulled up increases, making it easier to pull up.

[0035] (Aspect 14) An absorbent article described in any of aspects 1 to 13, which has a core wrap sheet arranged on one side of the absorbent core in the thickness direction, and a strip-shaped adhesive provided on the other side of the core wrap sheet in the thickness direction, the average width of the strip-shaped adhesive being smaller than the average particle size of the superabsorbent polymer, and when the area of the other side of the core wrap sheet that is located outside the outermost end of the absorbent core in the width direction is defined as an outer region, and the area of the other side of the core wrap sheet that is located inside the outermost end of the absorbent core in the width direction is defined as an inner region, the number of intersections of the strip-shaped adhesive per unit area in the outer region is smaller than the number of intersections of the strip-shaped adhesive per unit area in the inner region.

[0036] According to aspect 14, because a strip of adhesive is provided with a width narrower than the particle size of the superabsorbent polymer, the adhesive easily penetrates into the gaps between the superabsorbent polymer particles, fixing the superabsorbent polymer particles together and preventing deformation. Also, in the core wrap sheet, the number of intersections between the adhesive is greater in the inner widthwise region where the superabsorbent polymer particles are arranged than in the outer widthwise region where the superabsorbent polymer particles are not arranged, so the area where the absorbent core is arranged is firmly fixed, preventing uneven deformation and preventing poor fit and leakage.

[0037] (Aspect 15) The density of the absorbent core is 0.2 g / cm 3 The absorbent article is according to any one of the first to fourteenth aspects.

[0038] According to aspect 15, The density of the absorbent core is 0.2 g / cm 3 The thickness is less likely to change than when it is smaller, and wearability is less likely to deteriorate. The high density makes it harder for the absorbent core to lose its shape, preventing wearability from deteriorating.

[0039] (Aspect 16) The absorbent article is a pants-type absorbent article having a pair of waistband portions joined by a pair of side joints on both sides in the width direction, and has a transverse elastic member that stretches in the width direction, and when the portion of the absorbent core where the constriction layer and the extension layer are stacked in the thickness direction is defined as a stacked portion, a portion of the transverse elastic member is located at the end of the stacked portion in the width direction, which is an absorbent article described in any of aspects 1 to 15.

[0040] According to the sixteenth aspect, the laminated portion is a portion with high rigidity, and the force of the lateral elastic member is applied to such a portion with high rigidity, so that the force is easily transmitted when the laminated portion is pulled up.

[0041] (Aspect 17) The absorbent article is a pants-type absorbent article having an absorbent main body including the absorbent core, a pair of leg openings, and a pair of waistbands joined by a pair of side joints on both sides in the width direction, and the pants-type absorbent article has a vertical direction, with the pair of waistbands on the upper side and the pair of leg openings on the lower side.The absorbent main body has a pair of leg gathers on both sides in the width direction, and the leg gathers are provided with leg gather elastic members that stretch along the vertical direction, and the length of the line connecting the intersection of the leg gather elastic members and the lower end of the waistband and the lower end of the leg gather elastic member in a natural state is 45% or more of the vertical length from the intersection to the lower end of the leg gather elastic member when the leg gather elastic member is fully stretched.

[0042] According to the seventeenth aspect, by widening the leg openings, the leg openings can be pulled up with less force than when the leg openings are narrow.

[0043] (Aspect 18) a pair of leg openings, and a front waistline portion and a rear waistline portion joined by a pair of side joining portions at both sides in the width direction, the pants-type absorbent article having a vertical direction, with the front waistline portion and the rear waistline portion being the upper side and the pair of leg openings being the lower side, a dividing line that divides a line segment connecting an intersection of one side end of the absorbent main body in the width direction and a lower end of the front waistline portion and an intersection of the other side end of the absorbent main body in the width direction and the lower end of the front waistline portion into four equal parts is formed, and the dividing line extends in the vertical direction from the line segment to the lower end of the pants-type absorbent article. 18. The absorbent article of any one of aspects 1 to 17, wherein the dividing lines are respectively extended along the front waistband portion and the dividing line that divides the absorbent article into four equal parts is the dividing line that is located in the center of the width direction and the dividing lines on both sides of the center line in the width direction are the one-side dividing line and the other-side dividing line, and when the lengths of the center line, the one-side dividing line, and the other-side dividing line from the lower end position of the front waistband portion to the lower end position of the pants-type absorbent article in a natural state are length L1, length L2, and length L3, respectively, the average length of length L2 and length L3 is shorter than length L1, and the ratio of the average length to length L1 is less than 93%.

[0044] According to aspect 18, the average length of the widthwise side portions, length L2 and length L3, is shorter than the center line length L1, so that the shape of the lower end portion (crotch portion) of the article is rounded with the center being more convex downward, making it easier to fit under the wearer's crotch.

[0045] (Aspect 19) The absorbent article is a pants-type absorbent article having an absorbent main body including the absorbent core, a horizontal elastic member that stretches in the width direction, and a pair of waistband portions joined by a pair of side joint portions on both sides in the width direction, and the pants-type absorbent article has a vertical direction perpendicular to the width direction, the absorbent main body has a pair of leg gather portions on both sides in the width direction, and the leg gather portions are provided with leg gather elastic members that stretch along the vertical direction, and is an absorbent article described in any of aspects 1 to 18 having a portion where the horizontal elastic member and the leg gather elastic member intersect when viewed in the thickness direction.

[0046] According to the nineteenth aspect, the force generated when the waist portion is pulled up is easily transmitted to the crotch side in conjunction with the force, making it easier to pull up the absorbent article.

[0047] (Aspect 20) The absorbent article is a pants-type absorbent article having a pair of waistbands joined by a pair of side joints on both sides in the width direction, and the pants-type absorbent article has a vertical direction, and when the pair of waistbands is the upper side and the other side is the lower side, and when the region above the lower end of the side joint of at least one of the pair of waistbands is divided into four in the vertical direction from the top into a first region, a second region, a third region, and a fourth region, the magnitude of the force required to stretch the first region by a unit length in the width direction is smaller than the magnitude of the force required to stretch the second region by a unit length in the width direction, and the magnitude of the force required to stretch the fourth region by a unit length in the width direction is smaller than the magnitude of the force required to stretch the third region by a unit length in the width direction.This is the absorbent article described in any of aspects 1 to 19.

[0048] According to the 20th aspect, the upper end portion (first region) of the waistband has a weak tightening force, so it is less likely to get caught on the protruding buttocks when pulled up. Also, the crotch side (fourth region) of the waistband has a weak tightening force, so it is easy for the legs to pass through when pulled up.

[0049] (Aspect 21) The absorbent body is an absorbent article described in any one of aspects 1 to 20, having an absorbent core with a skin-side layer, an intermediate layer, and a non-skin-side layer laminated at least in the thickness direction, and the intermediate layer does not include a nonwoven fabric.

[0050] According to Aspect 21, the skin-side layer and the intermediate layer of the absorbent core are laminated adjacently in the thickness direction without a nonwoven fabric in between, which prevents the adhesive or the nonwoven fabric from interfering with the transfer of excreted fluid from the skin-side layer to the intermediate layer, thereby increasing the rate of absorption by the intermediate layer.

[0051] (Aspect 22) Aspect 22 is the absorbent article according to any one of Aspects 1 to 21, wherein the layer of the absorbent core closest to the skin does not contain a water-absorbent resin powder.

[0052] According to aspect 22, since the layer closest to the skin does not contain water-absorbent resin powder such as SAP, it is less likely to give a granular, gritty feeling to the wearer's skin, thereby reducing the discomfort felt when worn.

[0053] (Aspect 23) 23. The absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 22, wherein the superabsorbent polymer in the layer closest to the skin of the absorbent core has a liquid permeation rate under load of more than 10 seconds.

[0054] According to aspect 23, by making the liquid permeation rate under load in the layer closest to the skin exceed 10 seconds, the water retention of the absorbent core is improved compared to the opposite case, leading to prevention of leakage and also preventing the absorbent core from becoming thicker locally.

[0055] === Implementation form === The absorbent article according to the present invention will be described taking as an example a pants-type disposable diaper 1 for infants (hereinafter also referred to as "diaper 1"). However, the absorbent article according to the present invention also includes tape-type disposable diapers, shorts-type napkins, absorbent pads, sanitary napkins, and other absorbent articles. Furthermore, the wearer of the absorbent article is not limited to infants, but may also be an adult or a living organism such as an animal.

[0056] <Diaper 1 composition> Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a diaper 1. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the diaper 1 in an unfolded and stretched state, as seen from the skin side. Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line CC in Fig. 2.

[0057] In the pants-type state shown in Fig. 1, the diaper 1 has a vertical direction, a width direction, and a front-to-rear direction that are perpendicular to each other, and has a waist opening BH and a pair of leg openings LH. In the vertical direction, the waist opening BH side is the upper side, and the crotch side (the leg opening LH side) is the lower side. In the front-to-rear direction, the front side corresponds to the wearer's abdomen, and the rear side corresponds to the wearer's back. The width direction is the direction along the stretch direction of the waist elastic members 33, 43 of the front waist portion 30 and the rear waist portion 40. The vertical direction is the direction perpendicular to the stretch direction.

[0058] The diaper 1 is a so-called three-piece pants-type diaper having a liquid-absorbent main body 10 and a pair of waist-surrounding sections 30, 40. Of the pair of waist-surrounding sections, the one covering the wearer's abdominal region is also referred to as the front waist-surrounding section 30, and the one covering the wearer's dorsal region is also referred to as the rear waist-surrounding section 40.

[0059] In the unfolded and stretched state shown in Fig. 2, the diaper 1 has a longitudinal direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction that are perpendicular to one another. The longitudinal direction is along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent main body 10 and along the vertical direction of the pants-type diaper 1. The line CL in Fig. 2 etc. is the center line in the longitudinal direction. One side in the longitudinal direction corresponds to the ventral side (front side), and the other side corresponds to the dorsal side (rear side). The thickness direction is the direction in which the materials constituting the diaper 1 are layered, as shown in Fig. 3. In the thickness direction, the side that comes into contact with the wearer's skin is referred to as the skin side, and the opposite side is referred to as the non-skin side.

[0060] The "stretched state" of the diaper 1 refers to a state in which the diaper 1 as a whole is stretched without wrinkles by stretching each elastic member of the diaper 1 (e.g., the leg gather elastic member 17 and the waist elastic members 33, 43, etc., which will be described later), specifically, a state in which each component constituting the diaper 1 (e.g., the absorbent body 10 and the waist portions 30, 40, etc., which will be described later) is stretched until its dimensions match or are close to those of the individual components. The "unfolded state" of the diaper 1 refers to a state in which the pair of side joining portions 2, which are provided on both sides of the diaper 1, are separated, and the diaper 1 is opened and unfolded flat.

[0061] On the other hand, the state of the diaper 1 after it has been left for a predetermined period of time is referred to as the "natural state." For example, the diaper 1 is removed from the package in its finished state, and the waistbands 30, 40 are pulled outward in both the left and right directions to create a "stretched state." After this stretched state is maintained for 15 seconds, the diaper 1 is released and placed on a flat surface such as a desk. The state of the diaper 1 after being left flat for 5 minutes is referred to as the "natural state."

[0062] In the unfolded state, the front waistline section 30 and the rear waistline section 40 are aligned parallel to each other with a longitudinal gap between them, with the absorbent main body 10 draped between them, with each longitudinal end of the absorbent main body 10 joined and fixed to the skin-facing side of the nearest waistline section 30, 40, resulting in a generally H-shaped appearance in a plan view. From this state, the absorbent main body 10 is folded in half at a fold F along the longitudinal centerline CL. In this folded state (hereinafter also referred to as the "folded in half state"), the opposing front waistline section 30 and rear waistline section 40 are joined and connected at their widthwise opposite sides to form a pair of side joining sections 2. This results in the diaper 1 being in a pants-like state (see FIG. 1 ) with a waistline opening BH and a pair of leg openings LH. The side joining sections 2 are formed by known joining methods such as welding or adhesive bonding.

[0063] (Absorbent body 10) Fig. 4 shows a plan view and a cross-sectional view of the absorbent main body 10 in an extended state. As shown in the cross-sectional views of Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the absorbent main body 10 comprises an absorbent body 20 (details will be described later), a liquid-permeable top sheet 12 arranged closer to the skin than the absorbent body 20, a liquid-impermeable leak-barrier film 13 arranged closer to the skin than the absorbent body 20, an exterior sheet 14 arranged closer to the skin than the leak-barrier film 13 and forming an exterior of the absorbent main body 10, and a pair of side sheets 15, 15 provided on the skin side of the top sheet 12 at both widthwise ends of the absorbent main body 10. In addition, a pair of leg gathered portions LG, LG is formed by the exterior sheet 14, and a pair of leakage barrier walls LSG, LSG is formed by the side sheet 15.

[0064] The top sheet 12 is a liquid-permeable sheet member that covers the absorbent body 20 from the skin side, and is made of, for example, a hydrophilic air-through nonwoven fabric or a spunbond nonwoven fabric. A second sheet (not shown) equivalent to the top sheet 12 may also be provided between the top sheet 12 and the absorbent body 20.

[0065] The leak-proof film 13 is a breathable and liquid-impermeable sheet member that is placed on the non-skin side of the absorbent body 20, and can be, for example, a microporous breathable resin film that has multiple fine holes in a sheet made mainly of a resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene.

[0066] The exterior sheet 14 is a sheet member provided on the side of the absorbent body 10 closest to the skin and constituting the exterior of the absorbent body 10, and may be made of, for example, an air-through nonwoven fabric or a spunbond nonwoven fabric.

[0067] The exterior sheet 14 extends outward in the width direction beyond the outer ends 20es, 20es of the absorbent body 20, and this extending portion is folded back inward in the left-right direction and toward the skin in the thickness direction, with the outer ends 10es, 10es in the left-right direction of the absorbent main body 10 as folding positions, to form folded back portions 14f. Then, the unfolded portion of the exterior sheet 14 and the folded back portions 14f are joined together in a state where at least a part of the leakproof film 13 is sandwiched between them in the thickness direction, thereby forming a pair of leg gathered portions LG, LG.

[0068] A plurality of leg gather elastic members 17, 17... such as rubber threads are provided at predetermined intervals in the width direction between the outer cover sheet 14 and the folded-back portion 14f forming the leg gather portion LG in the thickness direction, each stretched at a predetermined stretch ratio in the longitudinal direction. The leg gather elastic members 17 provide stretchability in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) to the leg gather portion LG.

[0069] In FIG. 4, six leg gather elastic members 17 are provided in each of the leg gather portions LG on both sides in the width direction. Specifically, six leg gather elastic members 17 are provided from the inside to the outside in the width direction, namely, the first leg gather elastic member 17a to the sixth leg gather elastic member 17f. Note that FIGS. 2 and 4 only show the stretchable portions (i.e., the effective length portions) of the leg gather elastic members 17a to 17f. That is, the stretchability of the leg gather elastic members 17 is exerted in the portions indicated by dashed lines. However, the arrangement and number of the leg gather elastic members 17 are not limited to this and can be changed as appropriate. In addition, in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4, the leg gather elastic members 17 are mainly provided closer to the skin than the leakage barrier film 13, but leg gather elastic members 17 closer to the skin than the leakage barrier film 13 may also be provided.

[0070] The side sheet 15 is a substantially rectangular sheet member, and is made of, for example, an air-through nonwoven fabric or a spunbond nonwoven fabric similar to the top sheet 12 and the exterior sheet 14. The side sheet 15 is folded back at its inner widthwise end 15ei and overlapped in the thickness direction, and joined with the leak-barrier wall elastic member 16 sandwiched between the inner widthwise end 15ei of the side sheet 15. The inner widthwise end 15ei of the side sheet 15 is the part that becomes the tip of the leak-barrier wall portion LSG when it stands up.

[0071] The leak preventing wall elastic members 16 are made of, for example, rubber thread and are arranged at predetermined intervals in the width direction while being stretched in the longitudinal direction at a predetermined stretch ratio. This gives the leak preventing wall portion LSG stretchability in the longitudinal direction (up-down direction). In Figure 4, two leak preventing wall elastic members 16 are provided: a first leak preventing wall elastic member 16a arranged near the inner end 15ei in the width direction, and a second leak preventing wall elastic member 16b arranged at a predetermined interval outside the first leak preventing wall elastic member 16a in the width direction. However, the arrangement and number of the leak preventing wall elastic members 16 are not limited to this and can be changed as appropriate.

[0072] 4 shows only the stretchable portions (so-called effective length portions) of the leakage barrier elastic members 16a, 16b. When the diaper 1 is worn, the leakage barrier wall portions LSG rise up toward the wearer's skin due to the stretchable force exerted by the leakage barrier elastic members 16a, 16b.

[0073] The front waistband section 30 and the back waistband section 40 each include a non-skin-side sheet 31, 41, a skin-side sheet 32, 42, and multiple waistband elastic members 33, 43 (corresponding to transverse elastic members) such as rubber threads. As shown in FIG. 2 , the non-skin-side sheet 31 and the skin-side sheet 32 are each rectangular in plan view and are laminated and bonded together in the thickness direction. Examples of materials that can be used for the non-skin-side sheet 31 and the skin-side sheet 32 include SMS nonwoven fabric (spunbond, meltblown, or spunbond nonwoven fabric), spunbond nonwoven fabric, and air-through nonwoven fabric. The multiple waistband elastic members 33, 43 are arranged vertically between the skin-side sheet 32, 42 and the non-skin-side sheet 31, 41 in the thickness direction and are attached in a stretched state in the width direction. The stretchability exhibited by the waist elastic members 33, 43 allows the front waist portion 30 and the rear waist portion 40 to fit snugly around the waist of the wearer.

[0074] In addition, some of the multiple waist elastic members 33, 43 (transverse elastic members) are cut at the center in the width direction (see FIG. 2), and stretching force along the width direction is less likely to act in the areas where the waist elastic members 33, 43 are cut in the front waistline section 30 and the rear waistline section 40. In addition, a cover sheet (not shown) may be provided so as to cover the upper end of the absorbent main body 10 from the skin side. The cover sheet can prevent the absorbent main body 10 from opening open, etc.

[0075] The basic configuration of the diaper 1 has been described above, but the above configuration is merely an example and is not intended to be limiting. For example, the front waistline portion 30 and the rear waistline portion 40 may be formed from a single continuous member, or an outer member may be provided in the crotch area connecting the front waistline portion 30 and the rear waistline portion 40. Furthermore, the elastic members such as the waistline elastic members 33, 43 may be sheet-like elastic members instead of rubber threads.

[0076] ===About absorbent body 20=== Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the absorbent body 20 of this embodiment. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the absorbent cores 21 to 23 superimposed on each other. Fig. 7A is a plan view of the skin side layer 21 and the intermediate layer 22, and Fig. 7B is a plan view of the non-skin side layer 23.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 5, the absorbent body 20 has absorbent cores 21-23 between a core wrap sheet 25 on the skin side and a core wrap sheet 26 on the non-skin side. The absorbent cores 21-23 are components that absorb and retain excretory fluids such as urine, and include a liquid-absorbent fiber 201 and a super absorbent polymer. The liquid-absorbent fiber 201 and the super absorbent polymer (hereinafter also referred to as SAP) are not particularly limited as long as they can be used as the absorbent core of an absorbent article. For example, the liquid-absorbent fiber 201 can be wood pulp fiber, non-wood pulp fiber such as bagasse, kenaf, bamboo, hemp, or cotton, regenerated cellulose fiber such as rayon fiber, or semi-synthetic fiber such as acetate fiber. Examples of SAP include starch-based, cellulose-based, and synthetic polymer-based polymer absorbents. The core wrap sheets 25 and 26 are liquid-permeable sheets, and examples thereof include tissue and nonwoven fabric.

[0078] The absorbent cores 21-23 each include a skin-side layer 21, an intermediate layer 22, and a non-skin-side layer 23. The intermediate layer 22 is located closer to the skin than the skin-side layer 21 in the thickness direction, and the non-skin-side layer 23 is located closer to the skin than the intermediate layer 22 in the thickness direction. The skin-side layer 21 has a first thickness t1, and is a layer in which the volume occupied by SAPs is larger than the volume occupied by the liquid-absorbent fibers 201. The intermediate layer 22 has a second thickness t2, and is a layer in which the volume occupied by the liquid-absorbent fibers 201 is larger than the volume occupied by the SAPs. The non-skin-side layer 23 has a third thickness t3, and is a layer in which the volume occupied by SAPs is larger than the volume occupied by the liquid-absorbent fibers 201.

[0079] The absorbent body 20 of this embodiment further includes a skin-side upper layer 24, which has a fourth thickness t4 that is thinner than the first thickness t1 of the skin-side layer 21, and is located closer to the skin in the thickness direction than the skin-side layer 21. The skin-side upper layer 24 is a layer in which the volume occupied by the liquid-absorbent fiber 201 is greater than the volume occupied by the SAP. Specifically, the skin-side upper layer 24 of this embodiment is composed only of the liquid-absorbent fiber 201. That is, the skin-side upper layer 24, which is the layer closest to the skin among the multiple layers constituting the absorbent core, does not contain water-absorbent resin powder such as superabsorbent polymer (SAP). The absence of water-absorbent resin powder such as SAP in the layer closest to the skin makes it less likely to give a granular, gritty feel to the wearer's skin, reducing discomfort during wear. However, the skin-side upper layer 24 is not necessarily provided in the absorbent body 20 of this embodiment.

[0080] 5, in this embodiment, the skin side layer 21 and the intermediate layer 22 are integrally formed, and therefore the volume occupancy of SAP decreases and the volume occupancy of liquid-absorbent fiber 201 increases from the skin side layer 21 toward the intermediate layer 22. Such an absorbent core can be manufactured, for example, by adjusting the order, amounts, timing, etc. of feeding the SAP and liquid-absorbent fiber 201 into a forming mold (recess) that corresponds to the shape of the absorbent core and is provided on the outer circumferential surface of a rotating drum.

[0081] In this embodiment, the skin side layer 21 and the intermediate layer 22 are laminated integrally, i.e., adjacent to each other in the thickness direction, without any adhesive or nonwoven fabric in between. This prevents the adhesive or nonwoven fabric from interfering with the transfer of excreted fluid from the skin side layer 21 to the intermediate layer 22, and increases the rate of absorption by the intermediate layer 22.

[0082] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the non-skin side layer 23 is not formed integrally with the intermediate layer 22, but is laminated adjacent to the intermediate layer 22 in the thickness direction via the non-woven fabric 27. The presence of the non-woven fabric 27 allows the excreted liquid to diffuse in the planar direction on the non-woven fabric 27 before transferring from the intermediate layer 22 to the non-skin side layer 23. Therefore, the excreted liquid diffused in the planar direction can transfer to the non-skin side layer 23, and the absorbent cores 21-23 can be effectively utilized in the planar direction.

[0083] Furthermore, the comparison of the volumes occupied by the liquid absorbent fiber 201 and SAP in each of the skin side layer 21, the intermediate layer 22, the non-skin side layer 23, and the skin side upper layer 24 can be confirmed by the following method. For example, with the diaper 1 in a natural, dry state without any external force acting on it, the diaper 1 (absorbent body 20) is cut widthwise at any position in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 20, specifically at a position where the four layers 21 to 24 are stacked and away from the product folding position. Next, the cut surface is magnified (e.g., 30 to 100 times) and photographed using an optical microscope (e.g., Keyence Digital Microscope VHX-7000 or equivalent). In the photographed cross-sectional image, the liquid-absorbent fibers 201 and SAP are identified. Then, in the cross-sectional image, it is confirmed that the following are layered in order from the skin side in the thickness direction: a skin-side upper layer 24 in which the area occupied by the liquid-absorbent fibers 201 is larger than that of the SAP; a skin-side layer 21 in which the area occupied by the SAP is larger than that of the liquid-absorbent fibers 201; an intermediate layer 22 in which the area occupied by the liquid-absorbent fibers 201 is larger than that of the SAP; and a non-skin-side layer 23 in which the area occupied by the SAP is larger than that of the liquid-absorbent fibers 201. If the above is confirmed, the four layers 21 to 24 of this embodiment are identified. Cross-sectional images are prepared at multiple locations (e.g., 10 locations) along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 20 in which such four layers 21 to 24 can be confirmed, and if the area occupied by the SAP is larger than the area occupied by the liquid-absorbent fibers 201 in all of the cross-sectional images, then that layer is a layer in which "the volume occupied by the SAP is larger than the volume occupied by the liquid-absorbent fibers," and if the area occupied by the liquid-absorbent fibers 201 is larger than the area occupied by the SAP in all of the cross-sectional images, then that layer is a layer in which "the volume occupied by the liquid-absorbent fibers is larger than the volume occupied by the SAP."

[0084] In addition, a comparison of the volumes occupied by the liquid-absorbent fibers 201 and SAP in each layer can be made by visualizing the liquid-absorbent fibers 201 and SAP using X-ray microtomography (X-ray CT), for example, by the method described below: Science Direct, Carbohydrate Polymers 254, Mathias A. Hobisch et al., February 15, 2021, "How cellulose nanofibrils and cellulose microparticles impact paper strength—A visualization approach", Section "3.6. X-ray microtomography", https: / / www.sciencedirect.com / science / article / pii / S0144861720315794.

[0085] As described above, the absorbent core of this embodiment has multiple layers stacked in the thickness direction, namely, the skin side layer 21, the intermediate layer 22, the non-skin side layer 23, and the skin side upper layer 24. In this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 6, 7A, and 7B, the skin side layer 21 and the intermediate layer 22 among the multiple layers have narrower constricted portions 212, 222 in the width direction than the longitudinal end portions of the skin side layer 21 and the intermediate layer 22 in the crotch region M (Fig. 2) corresponding to the wearer's crotch. Note that the skin side layer 21 and the intermediate layer 22 illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7A are integrally formed and have the same planar shape. In this embodiment, the layers having such constricted portions 212, 222 are also referred to as constricted layers (therefore, the skin side layer 21 and the intermediate layer 22 are also referred to as constricted layers 21, 22). The width of the constricted portions 212, 222 does not necessarily have to be narrower than both longitudinal ends of the constricted layers 21, 22, but only needs to be narrower than the maximum width of one longitudinal end of the constricted layers 21, 22. The constricted layers 21, 22 contain liquid-absorbent fibers 201, which make it difficult for the constricted portions 212, 222 to lose their shape. The number of constricted layers is two in this embodiment, but is not limited to this and may be one, or three or more layers.

[0086] 6, the non-skin-side layer 23 has a portion 23E that extends outward in the width direction beyond the side ends 212e, 222e of the constricted portions 212, 222. In this embodiment, a layer that has such an extending portion 23E and is different from the constricted layers 21, 22 is also referred to as an extension layer (hence, the non-skin-side layer 23 is also referred to as an extension layer 23). A plurality of extension layers 23 may be provided. When a plurality of extension layers 23 are provided, it is sufficient that the volume occupied by the SAP in at least one of the extension layers 23 is larger than the volume occupied by the liquid-absorbent fiber 201. In this embodiment, the extension layer 23 is located closer to the skin than the constricted layers 21, 22, but this is not a limitation and the extension layer 23 may be located closer to the skin than the constricted layers. Alternatively, the number of extension layers may be greater than the number of constricted layers.

[0087] Conventionally, there have been absorbent articles using absorbents such as those having layers (skin-side layer 21, non-skin-side layer 23) in which the volume occupied by SAP is larger than the volume occupied by the liquid-absorbent fiber 201, as in the present embodiment, absorbents composed only of SAP, or absorbents formed by completely blending SAP and liquid-absorbent fiber 201. For example, in the case of an absorbent body composed only of SAP, the absorbent body is basically rectangular in shape, which makes it impossible to design a narrow crotch area, which can get caught when pulling up the diaper and make it difficult to pull up. Furthermore, in the case of an absorbent body that combines SAP and liquid-absorbent fiber, narrowing the width of the crotch area of the diaper and making it thin in order to ensure ease of pulling up (ease of pulling up) can lead to leakage, while conversely, narrowing the width of the crotch area and making it thick can cause the thickness to get in the way when pulling up, making it difficult to pull up.

[0088] The absorbent cores 21-24 of the diaper 1 of this embodiment have constriction layers 21, 22 having constrictions 212, 222. The constrictions 212, 222 correspond to the shape of the wearer's crotch, reducing snagging when pulling up the diaper 1 and making it easier to pull up. The presence of the constrictions 212, 222 also allows the absorbent cores 21-24 to move closer to the wearer's crotch when putting on the diaper 1, improving fit and reducing the need to readjust the fit around the crotch area M after putting on the diaper. The constriction layers 21, 22 contain liquid-absorbent fibers 201, which helps prevent the constriction shape from collapsing. The absorbent cores 21-24 are further provided with extension layers 23 having portions 23E that extend outward in the width direction beyond the side edges 212e, 222e of the constrictions 212, 222, thereby ensuring absorbency in the crotch area M.

[0089] In this embodiment, when the diaper 1 is folded in half at the fold F (FIG. 2) at the center CL in the longitudinal direction, the bottom area is 150 cm 2When a 5 kg weight is placed on the diaper 1 for 24 hours and then the weight is removed, the thickness of the diaper 1 at the center (center CC) in the width direction of the folded portion F is 6.4 mm or less. Specifically, when a weight is placed on the diaper 1 folded in half for 24 hours and then the weight is removed, the thinner the thickness of the center (center CC) in the width direction of the folded portion F, the thinner the diaper 1 before being worn (the method for measuring thickness will be described in detail later). Therefore, when the thickness of the folded portion F is 6.4 mm or less before being worn, the diaper 1 can be made thinner than when the thickness of the folded portion F before being worn is greater than 6.4 mm. The diaper 1 has such a thin shape before being worn, and is provided with the constriction layers 21, 22 and the extension layer 23, thereby achieving both ease of donning and ensuring absorbency in the crotch area M.

[0090] The "folded state" mentioned above refers to a state in which the diaper 1 in the unfolded state (see Fig. 2) is folded at a fold F at the center CL in the longitudinal direction, and in the case of a pants-type disposable diaper 1, this refers to the pants-type state shown in Fig. 1. In the case of an absorbent article such as a tape-type disposable diaper or an absorbent pad, it is sufficient that the absorbent article is folded at a fold at the center in the longitudinal direction of the unfolded absorbent article, and the fold in the folded state does not necessarily correspond to the lower end of the absorbent article when worn.

[0091] Here, the state in which the weight is placed and the method for measuring the thickness will be described. <About the state where weight W is placed on diaper 1> Generally, absorbent articles such as diapers 1 are stored under a certain pressure in the form of a package in which they are distributed and stored as a commodity. The effect of the pressure applied to the diaper 1 varies depending on the state of storage, and the thickness of the center of the width direction of the folded portion F of the diaper 1 changes depending on the pressure applied to the diaper. Therefore, after removing the diaper 1 from the package, a weight W (with a base area of 150 cm) is placed on the folded diaper 1. 2 By placing a weight of 5 kg on the diaper for 24 hours, the pressure applied to the diaper 1 is equalized.

[0092] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the state in which the weight W is placed. As shown in FIG. 8, the diaper 1 folded in half (in a pants-type state) is placed on a flat surface with either the front waistline portion 30 or the rear waistline portion 40 facing downward. Then, the weight W is placed on top of the diaper 1 so that the widthwise center of the absorbent main body 10 (the center CC of the diaper 1) is aligned with the widthwise center of the weight W and the weight W fits inside the absorbent main body 10 when viewed in the thickness direction. In this embodiment, the diaper 1 is placed on a flat surface with the front waistline portion 30 facing downward and the rear waistline portion 40 facing upward, and the weight W is placed on the rear waistline portion 40 side. In FIG. 8, the weight W may be placed on one diaper 1 or on a stack of diapers 1. Because absorbent articles such as diapers 1 are lightweight, even when multiple diapers 1 are stacked, the difference in pressure applied to each diaper 1 is within the margin of error and is virtually negligible. However, when multiple absorbent articles are stacked, the number of stacked articles must be such that the stacked state of the absorbent articles can be maintained and the stacked number does not cause the absorbent articles to collapse. In this embodiment, five diapers 1 were stacked in the thickness direction (front-to-back direction), and a weight W was placed on top of them, and the stack was left to stand for 24 hours, and the thickness of all diapers 1 was measured using the method described below.

[0093] The weight W has a base area of 150 cm 2 In this embodiment, a rectangular weight W is used, the length Lw1 in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) is 15 cm, and the length Lw2 in the width direction is 10 cm (Lw1 × Lw2 = 150 cm). 2 ) Since the weight of the weight W is 5 kg, a pressure of 3267 Pa is applied to the diaper 1 on which the weight W is placed. The weight W can be made of any material, and for example, a metal weight such as stainless steel or iron can be used.

[0094] <Measuring the thickness of the folded part F of the diaper 1> The thickness of the center (center CC) of the folded portion F of the diaper 1 in the width direction after the weight W has been placed on it for 24 hours can be measured by the following well-known method, for example, using an Ozaki Seisakusho Dial Thickness Gauge, Large Type JB with spring, or an equivalent. Specifically, using an Ozaki Seisakusho Dial Thickness Gauge Large Type JB with spring, the measurement point (the center of the width of the folded part F) is clamped between a pair of measuring terminals st, and a value of 9.0-12.0 gf / cm 2 In this embodiment, a pressure of 10.5 gf / cm is applied. 2 The measurement is performed by applying pressure to the folded portion F. Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating the measurement of the folded portion F. As shown in Figure 9, the pair of measurement terminals st are circular plates each 50 mm in diameter, and are arranged parallel to each other in the vertical direction (thickness direction of the diaper 1). The pair of measurement terminals st sandwich the folded portion F of the diaper 1 in the thickness direction (front-to-back direction), and the maximum value at the point where both measurement terminals st abut against the diaper 1 is measured as the "thickness." At this time, the measurement is performed with the center CC of the folded portion F of the diaper 1 in the width direction and the lower end of the diaper 1 in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) aligned with the center of the measurement terminals st.

[0095] In addition, in this embodiment, in a torsion test in which the diaper 1 folded in half is grasped at the longitudinal center of both widthwise ends and twisted around an imaginary axis along the width direction, and the diaper 1 folded in half is grasped at the longitudinal center of both widthwise ends and twisted around an imaginary axis along the lengthwise direction, the torque value of the diaper 1 before absorption is 23.4 mN·m or less.

[0096] The lower the value of the torsion test result of the diaper 1, the lower the torsional rigidity of the diaper 1, making it easier to make the diaper 1 flexible. The higher the value of the torsion test result, the higher the torsional rigidity of the diaper 1, making the diaper 1 stiff and more likely to cause discomfort to the wearer. Therefore, if the torsion test value of the diaper 1 before absorption is 23.4 mN·m or less, the diaper 1 can be made softer and more likely to fit the wearer's body and movements than if the torsion test value was greater than 23.4 mN·m. Therefore, the diaper 1 is not only thin before absorption, but also soft and easy to put on because the torsion test value (torque value) of the diaper 1 is low.

[0097] <<About the torsion test>> 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams of the "torsion test." Fig. 10A shows a measurement method in which the diaper 1 is twisted around an imaginary axis Va1 along the width direction of the diaper 1. Fig. 10B shows a measurement method in which the diaper 1 is twisted around an imaginary axis Va2 along the up-down direction of the diaper 1. In the drawings, the absorbent cores 21-24 are shown to have a rectangular shape to avoid complexity. In the torsion test, the torque value of the diaper 1 can be measured using an Imada torque tester (model number: EX-0762) or an equivalent device. The test environment is a room temperature of 20±2°C and a humidity of 60±5%.

[0098] (1) First, prepare the diaper 1 to be measured (the diaper 1 immediately after being removed from the package and before absorption), and identify the position to be clamped by the chuck 60 of the torque tester. As shown in the left diagrams of Figures 10A and 10B, the maximum width of the absorbent body 20 is divided into two equal parts in the width direction, and a line C1 extending along the vertical direction is drawn on the diaper 1. Another line C2 extending along the width direction is drawn on the diaper 1, and a line C2 extending along the width direction is drawn on the diaper 1, and a line C1 extending along the vertical direction is drawn on the diaper 1. The intersection of the two lines C1 and C2 is designated as the reference point o.

[0099] (2) In the torque tester, a pair of chucks 60 are arranged at a distance in the vertical direction, and the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction of the torque tester is the horizontal direction. The width W60 of the chucks 60 in the horizontal direction is approximately 25 mm. When the diaper 1 is set between the pair of chucks 60, the tension applied to the diaper 1 is 1 N. The load cell is set to 50 N of tension / compression, and the torque is set to 1 N.

[0100] (3) When twisting the diaper 1 around the imaginary axis Va1 along the width direction as shown in FIG. 10A, the gripping positions of the zippers 60 are set at positions p1 and p2, which are 30 mm shifted to the right and left, respectively, from the reference point o in the width direction. In other words, the zipper spacing is set to 60 mm. Specifically, the lower end of the upper zipper 60 is aligned with position p2 of the diaper 1, and the upper end of the lower zipper is aligned with position p1 of the diaper 1, so that the waist side of the diaper 1 is positioned on the right side in the horizontal direction. Furthermore, the center of the zipper 60 in the horizontal direction is aligned with the reference point o of the diaper 1. This allows the diaper 1 to be twisted around the imaginary axis Va1 along the width direction of the diaper 1 by gripping the vertical centers of both widthwise ends of the diaper 1 (more specifically, the vertical centers of the absorbent cores 21-24).

[0101] (4) With the diaper 1 set as described above, rotate the upper zipper 60 clockwise (positive rotation) to twist the diaper 1 (twist the diaper 1 so that the waist portion of the diaper 1 in the right diagram of Figure 10A is facing the front of the page). Then, return it to its initial state, and rotate the upper zipper 60 counterclockwise (negative rotation) to twist the diaper 1 and return it to its initial state. When twisting around the imaginary axis Va1 along the width direction, the rotation speed is 50 rpm, the rotation angle is 65°, and the measurement angle is 60°. Calculate the average torque value (mN·m) when rotating clockwise at a measurement angle of 60° and when rotating counterclockwise at a measurement angle of 60°.

[0102] (5) When twisting the diaper 1 around the imaginary axis Va2 in the up-down direction as shown in FIG. 10B, the gripping positions of the zippers 60 are set to positions p3 and p4, which are 50 mm above and below the reference point o in the up-down direction, respectively. In other words, the chuck spacing is set to 100 mm. Specifically, the lower end of the upper zipper 60 is aligned with position p3 of the diaper 1, and the upper end of the lower zipper 60 is aligned with position p4 of the diaper 1. The center of the zipper 60 in the horizontal direction is also aligned with the reference point o of the diaper 1. This allows the diaper 1 to be twisted around the imaginary axis Va2 in the up-down direction by gripping the widthwise center of both vertical end portions of the diaper 1.

[0103] (6) With the diaper 1 set as described above, rotate the upper zipper 60 clockwise (positive rotation) to twist the diaper 1 (twist the diaper 1 so that the right-hand portion of the diaper 1 in the width direction in the right diagram of Figure 10B is facing the front of the page). Then, return it to its initial state, and rotate the upper zipper 60 counterclockwise (negative rotation) to twist the diaper 1 and return it to its initial state. When twisting around the imaginary axis Va2 along the vertical direction, the rotation speed is 50 rpm, the rotation angle is 75°, and the measurement angle is 60°. Calculate the average torque value (mN·m) when rotating clockwise at a measurement angle of 60° and when rotating counterclockwise at a measurement angle of 60°.

[0104] (7) The torque value when twisting around the virtual axis Va1 (FIG. 10A) and the torque value when twisting around the virtual axis Va2 (FIG. 10B) are measured multiple times (e.g., n = 3 times) for each measurement. Regardless of the measurement direction, multiple measurements are not taken on the same diaper 1; a different diaper 1 is prepared for each torque measurement. Then, the average value of all the multiple (e.g., three) torque values around the virtual axis Va1 and the multiple (e.g., three) torque values around the virtual axis Va2 is calculated (rounded to one decimal place). This average value is the torque value of the diaper 1 (pants-type absorbent article) before absorption.

[0105] The results of thickness measurements and torsion tests were compared between Diaper 1 and Products A and B, as follows: Products A and B are both commonly available pants-type disposable diapers for infants. Diaper 1 has an absorbent core with a waisted portion and liquid-absorbent fibers and a superabsorbent polymer (SAP). Product A's diaper has an absorbent core with an upper layer that contains liquid-absorbent fibers and a superabsorbent polymer (SAP) and has a waisted portion, and a rectangular lower layer that contains only superabsorbent polymer (SAP). Product B's diaper has an absorbent core with a waisted portion and liquid-absorbent fibers and a superabsorbent polymer (SAP). The "thickness" referred to here refers to the thickness at the center of the width of the folded portion of each diaper when a weight is placed on each diaper folded in half using the method described above for 24 hours and then the weight is removed. After 24 hours, Diaper 1 had a thickness of 6.4 mm and a torque value of 23.4 mN m, while Product A's thickness after 24 hours was 6.6 mm and a torque value of 29.3 mN m, and Product B's thickness after 24 hours was 8.2 mm and a torque value of 31.5 mN m. This shows that before wearing, Diaper 1 is thinner and softer than Products A and B.

[0106] In order to measure the thickness of the diaper 1 after it had absorbed excrement and to perform a torsion test, the diaper was prepared in an absorbing state under the following conditions, and measurements were taken. <About absorption> The "absorbed state" refers to the state in which the diaper 1 is in an unfolded and stretched state with the weight W removed from the diaper 1 described above, after 40 ml of artificial urine is dropped over 5 seconds onto the skin-side surface of the diaper 1 at a position 50 mm forward of the center C-C in the longitudinal direction and at the center CC in the width direction, and this drop is repeated three times to allow the diaper 1 to absorb the artificial urine. The amount of excrement absorbed by the diaper 1 when worn varies, and this absorption state is considered to be equivalent to the average state in which the diaper 1 absorbs excrement when worn.

[0107] 11 is a diagram illustrating the process for bringing the diaper 1 into an absorbent state. Specifically, first, the weight W is placed on the diaper 1 as described above and left for 24 hours, and then the weight W is removed from the diaper 1. 11, the drip position Pt is a position 50 mm forward from the longitudinal center of the diaper 1 in the unfolded and stretched state and at the center CC in the width direction. This drip position Pt is the position where urination occurs when the diaper 1 is worn. The cylinder EN is placed on the skin-side surface of the diaper 1 in an unfolded and stretched state. At this time, the center of the cylinder EN is aligned with the drip position Pt. The cylinder EN is a hollow cylindrical body with an inner diameter Li of 60 mm, an outer diameter Lo of 70 mm, and a height of 50 mm. Although the artificial urine is dripped toward the drip position Pt, there is a risk of slight error or splashing. Therefore, by providing the cylinder EN, the artificial urine is more easily absorbed in the area corresponding to the urination position when the diaper 1 is worn. The artificial urine used was prepared by dissolving 200 g of urea, 80 g of sodium chloride, 8 g of magnesium sulfate, 3 g of calcium chloride, and about 1 g of dye, Blue No. 1, in 10 L of ion-exchanged water. Then, the first drop of 40 ml of artificial urine is dropped onto the dropping position Pt (inside the cylinder EN) over 5 seconds. One minute after the start of the first drip of artificial urine, a second drip of 40 ml of artificial urine is dripped onto the drip position Pt over 5 seconds. One minute after the start of the second drip of artificial urine, a third drip of 40 ml of artificial urine is dripped onto the drip position Pt over 5 seconds. The state in which the diaper 1 has absorbed the artificial urine is called an absorbed state.

[0108] The thickness of the folded portion F of the diaper 1 in the absorbent state was measured using the thickness measurement method described above, and the thickness of the diaper 1 in the absorbent state was found to be 20.3 mm. Specifically, since the absorbent cores 21-24 tend to expand in proportion to the amount of body exudates absorbed, by setting the thickness of the folded portion F of the diaper 1 in the absorbent state to 20.3 mm or less, the risk of the diaper 1 becoming excessively thick due to the absorption of body exudates during wear is reduced compared to when the thickness of the folded portion F of the diaper 1 in the absorbent state is greater than 20.3 mm. Therefore, even after the diaper 1 has absorbed body exudates, the risk of the absorber 20 expanding and sagging downward, or the absorber 20 causing clothing to bulge, making the diaper 1 conspicuous from the outside of clothing, is reduced.

[0109] Furthermore, when the torsion test value (torque value) of diaper 1 in an absorbent state was measured using the torsion test described above, the torsion test value of diaper 1 in an absorbent state was 39.1 mN·m. Therefore, when the torsion test value of diaper 1 in an absorbent state is 39.1 mN·m or less, diaper 1 can be made softer and more easily fit the wearer's body and movements, even after absorbing excrement, than when the torsion test value is greater than 39.1 mN·m.

[0110] In addition, when the diaper 1 is worn, in the crotch region M corresponding to the crotch of the wearer, the absorbent cores 21 to 24 have a basis weight (i.e., the total basis weight of the liquid-absorbent fiber 201 and the SAP: g / m 2 ) and has a low basis weight region along the longitudinal direction. Specifically, it is preferable that at least one of the skin side layer (constricted layer) 21, the intermediate layer (constricted layer) 22, and the non-skin side layer (extension layer) 23 has the low basis weight region. In the absorbent body 20 of this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5, the skin side layer 21 and the intermediate layer 22 have low basis weight regions 211, 221, and similarly, the non-skin side layer 23 also has a low basis weight region 231.

[0111] Therefore, when the wearer excretes in the diaper 1 and the absorbent body 20 receives the excreted liquid, the excreted liquid is quickly drawn from the low basis weight region 211 into the interior of the absorbent body 20 (intermediate layer 22). The liquid-absorbent fiber 201 has a faster liquid absorption rate than SAP. Since the volume occupancy of the liquid-absorbent fiber 201 is high in the intermediate layer 22, the excreted liquid that migrates from the low basis weight region 211 to the intermediate layer 22 is quickly and temporarily absorbed by the intermediate layer 22. Thereafter, the excreted liquid absorbed between the fibers of the liquid-absorbent fiber 201 in the intermediate layer 22 gradually migrates due to gravity to the non-skinside layer 23. Furthermore, since the intermediate layer 22 also has a low basis weight region 221, excreted liquid is more likely to migrate from the low basis weight region 221 to the non-skinside layer 23, and more likely to migrate from the low basis weight region 231 of the non-skinside layer 23 to a deeper portion of the non-skinside layer 23.

[0112] Therefore, the presence of such low basis weight regions 211, 221, 231 facilitates diffusion of absorbed excrement, thereby improving absorbency. In addition, the low basis weight regions 211, 221, 231 facilitate deformation of the crotch region M when pulling up the diaper 1 or while putting it on, reducing snagging when pulling up and making it easier to put on.

[0113] Furthermore, the low basis weight region 211 of the skin side layer 21 is preferably a slit penetrating the skin side layer 21 in the thickness direction. In this case, excreted liquid falls into the low basis weight region 211, and therefore the migration speed of excreted liquid from the skin side layer 21 to the intermediate layer 22 increases.

[0114] However, this is not limited to the above. Although not shown, the liquid-absorbent fibers 201 or SAP may be present in the low basis weight region 211 of the skin side layer 21. Alternatively, the low basis weight region 211 may be a region of the skin side layer 21 that is recessed in the thickness direction.

[0115] Similarly, the low basis weight region 231 of the non-skin side layer 23 may be a slit penetrating in the thickness direction, or the low basis weight region 231 may contain liquid absorbent fibers 201 or SAP, or the low basis weight region 231 may be partially recessed in thickness.

[0116] 7B has three longitudinally elongated rectangular divided regions 23a-23c. The three divided regions 23a-23c are arranged side by side at intervals in the width direction. Two regions between the three divided regions 23a-23c form low basis weight regions 231 (slits) of the non-skin side layer 23. The two low basis weight regions 231 are arranged symmetrically in the width direction across the center line CL2 of the non-skin side layer 23 in the width direction.

[0117] 6, in a plan view of the absorbent cores 21-23, it is preferable that the low basis weight region 211 of the skin side layer 21, the low basis weight region 221 of the intermediate layer, and the low basis weight region 231 of the non-skin side layer have overlapping portions. The skin side layer 21 and the intermediate layer 22 of this embodiment each have two low basis weight regions 211, 221. The two low basis weight regions 211, 221 of the skin side layer 21 and the intermediate layer 22 each overlap with two low basis weight regions 231 of the non-skin side layer 23.

[0118] This allows excreted liquid that has flowed into the low basis weight region 211 of the skin side layer 21 and the low basis weight region 221 of the intermediate layer 22 to easily flow directly into the low basis weight region 231 of the non-skin side layer 23. This allows excreted liquid to be more quickly drawn deep into the absorbent cores 21-23. Furthermore, in the low basis weight regions 211-231, absorption is less likely to be hindered by swelling of SAP, improving the absorption rate.

[0119] In this embodiment, all of the skin-side layer 21, the intermediate layer 22, and the non-skin-side layer 23 have low basis weight regions. However, this is not limiting. If one of the skin-side layer 21, the intermediate layer 22, and the non-skin-side layer 23 has a low basis weight region (corresponding to a first low basis weight region), a layer other than the layer having the low basis weight region (first low basis weight region) may also have a low basis weight region (corresponding to a second low basis weight region), and the first low basis weight region and the second low basis weight region may overlap in a plan view of the absorbent cores 21-23. The overlapping region facilitates deformation of the absorbent core when the diaper 1 is pulled up, reduces snagging during pulling, and makes it easier to pull up the diaper 1. Furthermore, overlapping low basis weight regions in multiple layers forms a passageway for excreted liquid, facilitating the transfer of excreted liquid from one layer having a low basis weight region to the other layer having a low basis weight region. This reduces leakage.

[0120] Furthermore, the shape, size, number, and position of the low basis weight regions 211-231 in each layer are not particularly limited. For example, each layer may have one low basis weight region 211-231, which may be located on the center line CL2 in the width direction of the absorbent cores 21-23. Furthermore, the low basis weight regions 21-23 in each layer 21-23 may completely overlap, or multiple low basis weight regions 221-231 may be located at intervals in the longitudinal direction.

[0121] Furthermore, when the absorbent body 20 of this embodiment does not include the above-described skin-side upper layer 24, i.e., when the skin-side layer 21 is the layer closest to the skin of the absorbent core, it is preferable that the liquid permeation rate under load of the SAP included in the skin-side layer exceeds 10 seconds. If the liquid permeation rate of the excreted liquid is excessively fast when the skin-side layer 21 receives excreted liquid, the excreted liquid will migrate to the intermediate layer 22 without sufficiently diffusing in the width or length directions of the skin-side layer 21, which may result in a deterioration in the water retention performance of the absorbent core as a whole. Furthermore, if the SAP swells only in the portion that receives the excreted liquid, the absorbent core may become locally thick. In contrast, by setting the liquid permeation rate under load in the skin-side layer to exceed 10 seconds, the water retention of the absorbent core is improved, leading to leakage prevention, and local thickening of the absorbent core can be suppressed, compared to the opposite case.

[0122] The liquid permeation rate under load of SAP in the layer closest to the skin of the absorbent core can be measured, for example, by the method described in JP 2019-41876 A. Specifically, 0.32±0.005 g of superabsorbent polymer (SAP) was immersed in 100 mL of physiological saline (0.9% by mass sodium chloride solution) in a 100 mL glass beaker and left for 60 minutes. A separate cylindrical filtration tube was prepared at the bottom of the opening of a vertically standing cylinder (inner diameter 25.4 mm) equipped with a wire mesh (150 μm mesh, Sansho Hanbai Biocolumn Sintered Stainless Steel Filter 30SUS) and a capillary tube (inner diameter 4 mm, length 8 cm) with a stopcock (inner diameter 2 mm). With the stopcock closed, the entire contents of the beaker, including the swollen test sample, were poured into the cylindrical tube. Next, a 2 mm diameter cylindrical rod with a 25 mm diameter wire mesh at its tip, with 150 μm mesh openings, is inserted into the cylindrical filter tube so that the wire mesh contacts the test sample. A weight is then placed on the test sample to apply a 2.0 kPa load. After leaving the tube in this state for 1 minute, the stopcock is opened to allow the liquid to flow. The time T1 (seconds) until the liquid level in the cylindrical filter tube reaches the 40 mL mark from the 60 mL mark (i.e., 20 mL of liquid passes through) is measured. The measured time T1 (seconds) is used to calculate the liquid passage rate under load at 2.0 kPa using the formula: Liquid passage rate under load (seconds) = T1 - T0. Note that T0 (seconds) is the time required for 20 mL of saline to pass through the wire mesh without the test sample in the cylindrical filter tube. Measurements are carried out at a temperature of 23±2°C and a relative humidity of 50±5%, and the superabsorbent polymer (SAP) is kept in the same environment for at least 24 hours before measurement.

[0123] FIG. 12 is a plan view of the absorbent cores 21-23 stacked together. As shown in FIG. 12, the absorbent cores 21-23 have a region SU (indicated by diagonal lines drawn from the upper right to the lower left in FIG. 12) where the number of layers (21-23) is small at the end 20be (corresponding to the other end) on the back side (rear side) in the longitudinal direction. Similarly, the absorbent cores 21-23 also have a region SU where the number of layers (21-23) is small at the end 20fe (corresponding to one end) on the ventral side (front side) in the longitudinal direction. Note that "small number of layers" means that the number of layers stacked in the thickness direction is small. In this embodiment, the region SU where the number of layers is small is a region where only the skin side layer 21 and the intermediate layer 22 are stacked. Such areas SU with fewer layers are thinner, and the presence of such areas at the ventral end 20fe (one side end) and the dorsal end 20be (the other side end) of the absorbent core (21-23) reduces the thickness when worn, making it less likely to get caught when pulled up.

[0124] In this embodiment, there are areas SU with a low number of layers at both the longitudinal ventral end 20fe (one side end) and the dorsal end 20be (the other side end) of the absorbent core (21-23), but this is not limited to this, and it is sufficient if there is such an area SU with a low number of layers at at least one of the longitudinal ventral end 20fe (one side end) and the dorsal end 20be (the other side end).

[0125] 12, the absorbent core (21-23) has constriction layers 21, 22 and an extension layer 23, but the maximum width H1 of the constriction layers 21, 22 is different from the maximum width H2 of the extension layer 23 in the width direction. Note that the maximum width H2 of the extension layer (non-skin-side layer) 23 here refers to the length from one end 23ae of the divided region 23a of the extension layer (non-skin-side layer) 23 in the width direction to the other end 23ce of the divided region 23c in the width direction. The region HZ (indicated by diagonal lines drawn from the upper left to the lower right in FIG. 12) where the maximum width H1 of the constriction layers 21, 22 and the maximum width H2 of the extension layer 23 differ is a region in the absorbent body 20 where the ends in the width direction become thinner and have lower rigidity. When such a low-rigidity region (HZ) is located in the area corresponding to the wearer's groin (the longitudinal front portion of the absorbent core) or in the area from the crotch to the buttocks (the longitudinal rear portion of the absorbent core), the widthwise ends come into good contact with the skin and are less likely to get caught when pulled up. Also, even when the low-rigidity region (HZ) is located in the crotch region M, the risk of getting caught is reduced, making it easier to pull up.

[0126] 12, in the constricted portions 212, 222, the maximum width H3 of the constricted layers 21, 22 in the width direction is larger than the maximum width H4 of the extension layer 23. That is, the extension layer 23 has portions 23E extending in the width direction from the constricted portions 212, 222. However, when viewed as a whole, the maximum width H3 of the constricted layers 21, 22 is larger than the maximum width H4 of the extension layer 23, and the constricted layers 21, 22 have constricted portions from which the extension layer 23 does not extend (portions of the constricted portions 212, 222 other than the extending portions 23E in a plan view). This prevents the widthwise extending portions 23E from being excessively positioned, which could cause snagging, and maintains the ease of pulling up the diaper 1 when put on.

[0127] 12, the minimum width portion SA of the constricted portions 212, 222, where the width in the width direction is smallest (the portion indicated by width H5), is preferably located on the abdominal side in the longitudinal direction. If the diaper 1 is not constricted at a position corresponding to the wearer's groin (i.e., the abdominal side in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent core), the diaper 1 will easily get caught when pulled up. However, if the portion of the constricted portions 212, 222 where the constriction is greatest (the minimum width portion SA) is located on the abdominal side, the portion corresponding to the groin will be constricted, making it easier to pull up the diaper 1. This improves the wearing comfort of the diaper 1. The minimum width portion SA where the width in the width direction is smallest does not have to be located on the abdominal side in the longitudinal direction, but may be located in the center in the longitudinal direction.

[0128] FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view of the absorbent body 20 as seen from the skin side. As shown in FIG. 13, in this embodiment, the skin side layer 21 has a plurality of compressed dots 50 formed by compressing the skin side layer 21 (absorbent core 21) in a dotted pattern in the thickness direction. At these compressed dots 50, the absorbent core 21 is compressed in the thickness direction by embossing. The compression increases the fiber density of the absorbent core 21 compared to uncompressed portions. In this embodiment, the compressed dots 50 are formed as a collection of dots (circles), but the compressed dots 50 may also be formed as lines (straight lines, curves), for example. Alternatively, the compressed dots or lines may be formed discretely within a predetermined region. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 13, the compressed dots 50 are arranged so that they appear as a dotted grid pattern (a so-called quilting pattern) as a whole, but other patterns may also be used.

[0129] The portions where these compressed dots 50 (compressed portions) are formed have increased rigidity, and the difference in rigidity can guide the absorbent core 21 to deform, reducing the risk of the diaper 1 getting caught when pulled up. Furthermore, the deformation guided by such a difference in rigidity makes it easier for the diaper 1 to conform to the shape of the wearer's body, reducing the need to adjust the position of the diaper 1 relative to the body after putting it on. Note that the skin-side layer 21 need not necessarily be provided with multiple compressed portions 50, as long as at least one of the skin-side layer 21 and the non-skin-side layer 23 has compressed portions 50.

[0130] As shown in Fig. 4, in the diaper 1, the region in the width direction of the leg gather portion LG where the LG elastic members 17 are arranged is referred to as the "leg gather elastic region ER." In Fig. 4, the region between the first leg gather elastic member 17a, which is located at the innermost position in the width direction, and the sixth leg gather elastic member 17f, which is located at the outermost position in the width direction, is the leg gather elastic region ER. When the leg gather elastic region ER is divided into two equal parts in the width direction, the region located on the inner side is referred to as the "inner leg gather elastic region ERi," and when the leg gather elastic region ER is divided into two equal parts in the width direction, the region located on the outer side is referred to as the "outer leg gather elastic region ER0." In the diaper 1 of this embodiment, the widthwise length of the leg gather elastic region ER is 10 mm or more, and the LG elastic members 17 (17a to 17c) arranged in the inner leg gather elastic region ERi are adjusted so that the average length (average effective length) of the portion where an elastic force acts in the longitudinal direction is 10% or more shorter than the average length (average effective length) of the portion where an elastic force acts in the longitudinal direction is 10% or more shorter than the average length (average effective length) of the LG elastic members 17 (17d to 17f) arranged in the outer leg gather elastic region ER.

[0131] In the inner leg gather elastic region ERi, by providing a portion where the effective length of the leg gather elastic member 17 is short, stretching force is less likely to act on the absorbent body 20. Also, in the portion where the effective length of the leg gather elastic member 17 is short, the rigidity of the inner leg gather elastic region ERi itself is lowered, and this region ERi deforms to cushion the stretching force, thereby suppressing deformation of the absorbent body 20. Also, by lowering the rigidity of the inner leg gather elastic region ERi closer to the crotch, it is less likely to get caught when pulled up.

[0132] The number of leg gather elastic members 17 provided in the leg gathered portion LG is not limited to three or more, and may be two. In this case, the lengths of the portions where a stretchable force is applied in the longitudinal direction for the two leg gather elastic members 17 may be the same, and the stretch ratio and thickness of the elastic members may also be the same. Even when three or more leg gather elastic members 17 are provided, the configuration is not limited to the above, and the lengths of the portions where a stretchable force is applied in the longitudinal direction, the stretch ratio, and the thickness of the elastic members may all be the same. Furthermore, when three or more leg gather elastic members 17 are provided, the lengths of the portions where a stretchable force is applied in the longitudinal direction may be the same but the stretch ratios and thicknesses of the elastic members may be different; the stretch ratios may be the same but the lengths and thicknesses of the portions where a stretchable force is applied in the longitudinal direction may be different; or the thicknesses may be the same but the stretch ratio and the length of the portions where a stretchable force is applied in the longitudinal direction may be different. Alternatively, when three or more leg gather elastic members 17 are provided, the stretch ratio and the thickness of the elastic members may be the same, and the length of the portion where the stretching force is acting in the longitudinal direction may not be uniform; the stretch ratio and the length of the portion where the stretching force is acting in the longitudinal direction may be the same, and the thickness may not be uniform; or the length and thickness of the portion where the stretching force is acting in the longitudinal direction may be the same, and the stretch ratio may not be uniform.

[0133] 2, the diaper 1 has a plurality of waist elastic members 33, 43 (transverse elastic members) that stretch in the width direction in the front waist portion 30 and the rear waist portion 40. Note that FIG. 2 shows only the portions of the elastic members of the diaper 1 that are subjected to stretching force (so-called effective length portions). Similarly, in the other drawings, only the effective length portions of each elastic member are shown. As shown in FIG. 2, nine waist elastic members 33 (transverse elastic members), namely waist elastic members 33a-33i, that overlap with the absorbent body 20 (absorbent core) in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 20 (absorbent core) are not continuously arranged from one end 20ae to the other end 20ce of the absorbent body 20 (absorbent core) in the width direction. Furthermore, among the waist elastic members 43, the three waist elastic members 43 (transverse elastic members), namely, waist elastic members 43a-43c, which overlap with the absorbent body 20 (absorbent core) in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 20 (absorbent core), are similarly not continuously arranged from one end 20ae to the other end 20ce of the absorbent body 20 (absorbent core) in the width direction. The waist elastic members 33, 43 are cut in the portions where the waist elastic members 33 or waist elastic members 43 are not continuously arranged in the width direction, thereby preventing the non-continuous portions from stretching in the width direction and suppressing shrinkage of the absorbent cores 21-24 in the width direction. The presence of the waist elastic members 33, 43 (33a-33i, 43a-43c) that do not continuously straddle the absorbent body 20 (absorbent cores 21-24) in the width direction can suppress deformation of the absorbent body 20 (absorbent cores 21-24). When the absorbent body 20 is shrunk, wrinkles occur and the body becomes thicker, which makes the diaper 1 more likely to get caught when pulled up. However, by suppressing the shrinkage, the diaper 1 becomes easier to pull up, improving the ease of wearing.

[0134] 2, it is preferable that the waist elastic members 33, 43 (transverse elastic members) extend continuously from one end to the other in the width direction of a region of the absorbent main body 10 where the absorber 20 (absorbent core) is not present (the front side is indicated as region X1, and the rear side is indicated as region X2). Note that it is sufficient that the waist elastic members 33, 43 are provided continuously in the width direction at the end of the absorbent main body 10 on at least one of the front and rear sides in the longitudinal direction.

[0135] In this way, when the person changing or wearing the diaper 1 holds the front waist portion 30 and the rear waist portion 40 and pulls it up, the waist elastic members 33, 43 arranged continuously in the width direction of the absorbent main body 10 transmit the pulling force to the absorbent main body 10, making it easier to pull it up.

[0136] The absorbent core of this embodiment is made up of multiple laminated layers (21-24) (FIG. 5). Unlike the skin-side layer 21, intermediate layer 22, and skin-side upper layer 24 of this embodiment, the layer with a high volume occupancy rate of SAP (skin-side layer 21) and the layer with a high volume occupancy rate of liquid-absorbent fiber (intermediate layer 22) are separated as in the present embodiment, making each layer more easily deformable than when the absorbent core is made up of layers in which SAP and liquid-absorbent fibers are completely mixed and integrated. This makes the absorbent core as a whole more easily deformable, and also makes the diaper 1 easier to pull up by increasing the number of areas that are easily deformed.

[0137] As described above, the skin-side layer 21 has a first thickness t1, the intermediate layer 22 has a second thickness t2, and the non-skin-side layer 23 has a third thickness t3 (see FIG. 5 ). The first thickness t1 to the third thickness t3 refer to average thicknesses. In this embodiment, the third thickness t3 of the non-skin-side layer 23 is thicker than the first thickness t1 of the skin-side layer 21. Specifically, the third thickness t3 of the non-skin-side layer 23 is preferably 0.38 mm to 0.58 mm for the S-size diaper 1 and preferably 0.58 mm to 0.69 mm for the XXL-size diaper 1. The first thickness t1 of the skin-side layer 21 is preferably 0.3 mm to 0.48 mm for the S-size diaper 1 and preferably 0.45 mm to 0.65 mm for the XXL-size diaper 1. The skin-side layer 21, which is thinner than the non-skin-side layer 23, also becomes thinner after absorbing liquid. The average thickness of the absorbent body 20 is preferably 2.0 to 2.5 mm.

[0138] The average thickness t2 of the intermediate layer 22 is preferably 0.5 mm or more. More preferably, it is 0.9 mm to 1.1 mm for an S-size diaper 1, and 1.28 mm to 1.61 mm for an XXL-size diaper 1. However, if the intermediate layer 22 is too thick, it may feel stiff, so the average thickness (second thickness t2) of the intermediate layer 22 is preferably 2.5 mm or less.

[0139] The thicknesses (t1 to t3) of the layers 21 to 23 can be measured using a known method. For example, with the diaper 1 in a natural, dry state without any external force, the diaper 1 (absorbent body 20) is cut widthwise at any longitudinal position in the portion of the diaper 1 where the absorbent body 20 is located, specifically, at a location where the three layers 21 to 23 are stacked and away from the product folding position. To prevent damage to the components of the absorbent body 20, the diaper 1 is cut at a predetermined location and measured. Next, using an optical microscope (e.g., Keyence Digital Microscope VHX-7000 or equivalent), the cut surface is placed upright and magnified (e.g., 30 to 100 times) and photographed. The focus of the magnified photograph is on the liquid-absorbent fiber 201. In the captured cross-sectional image, the layer in which the liquid-absorbent fiber 201 is visible is determined to be the intermediate layer 22, and the portions of the absorbent core closer to the skin or closer to the skin are determined to be the skin-side layer 21 and the non-skin-side layer 23, respectively. Furthermore, measurement positions (e.g., five positions) are determined in the width direction of the cross-sectional image, and the thickness of each of the layers 21 to 23 at each measurement position is obtained. Preferably, cross-sectional images are captured at multiple positions in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 20 to obtain the thickness of each of the layers 21 to 23. The average value of the obtained thicknesses is calculated for each of the layers 21 to 23, and this is defined as the average thickness t1 of the skin-side layer 21 (first thickness t1), the average thickness t2 of the intermediate layer 22 (second thickness t2), and the average thickness t3 of the non-skin-side layer 23 (third thickness t3). When measuring the thickness, portions other than the low basis weight regions 211, 221, and 231 are measured. Furthermore, when the absorbent layer is bonded to adjacent sheet portions (core wrap sheets 25, 26, nonwoven fabric 27) via an adhesive, such as the skin-side upper layer 24, the skin-side layer 21, and the middle layer 22, it is difficult to identify the part where the material (liquid absorbent fiber, SAP) constituting each absorbent layer is actually bonded and fixed to the adjacent sheet portion with the adhesive. Therefore, when it can be determined that adhesive exists between the absorbent layer and the adjacent sheet portion, the distance between adjacent sheet portions in the thickness direction is measured as the "thickness of the absorbent layer."

[0140] Using the above-mentioned method, five samples were prepared by cutting the longitudinal end of the absorbent body 20 and then cutting the absorbent body 20 so that the longitudinal length was 10 mm from that point.The average thicknesses when measured were as follows: for size S, the first thickness t1 was 0.41 mm, the second thickness t2 was 0.99 mm, and the third thickness t3 was 0.47 mm; and for size XXL, the first thickness t1 was 0.56 mm, the second thickness t2 was 1.47 mm, and the third thickness t3 was 0.63 mm.

[0141] In this embodiment, the average basis weight of the non-skinside layer 23 is higher than the average basis weight of the skinside layer 21. A suitable average basis weight of the non-skinside layer 23 is 50 g / m 2 ~350g / m 2 Specifically, when the diaper 1 is a size S, the average basis weight of the non-skinside layer 23 is 173 g / m2 The average basis weight of the skin side layer 21 is preferably about 82 g / m 2 When the diaper 1 is an XXL size, the average basis weight of the non-skin side layer 23 is about 300 g / m 2 The average basis weight of the skin side layer 21 is preferably about 171 g / m 2 The skin side layer 21 with a low average basis weight is less likely to swell after absorbing liquid, and therefore the skin side layer 21 is less likely to experience absorption inhibition due to swelling of SAP.

[0142] Regarding the absorbent cores 21 to 24, the density of the absorbent cores 21 to 24 is 0.2 g / cm 3 It is preferable that the density of the absorbent cores 21-24 is 0.2 g / cm or more. The higher the density of the absorbent cores 21-24, the thinner the absorbent cores 21-24 can be while increasing the amount of liquid absorbent fiber and SAP for absorbing excrement, making it easier to achieve a thinner absorbent core 21-24 and improve the diffusion of excrement. Therefore, it is preferable that the density of the absorbent cores 21-24 is 0.2 g / cm or more. 3 By this, the density of the absorbent cores 21 to 24 is 0.2 g / cm 3 Since it is easier to diffuse excrement than when the absorbent cores 21-24 are smaller, the risk of localized swelling of the absorbent cores 21-24 can be reduced, and wearability is less likely to deteriorate. Furthermore, when the density of the absorbent cores 21-24 is increased, the absorbent cores 21-24 are less likely to lose their shape, which similarly prevents wearability from deteriorating.

[0143] Fig. 14 is a plan view of a portion of the diaper 1 in an unfolded and stretched state. Fig. 14 shows a portion of the front side (ventral side) of the diaper 1. When the region of the absorbent cores 21-23 where the constriction layers 21, 22 and the extension layer 23 are layered in the thickness direction (the direction penetrating the paper surface of Fig. 14) is defined as a layered region EX (the region indicated by diagonal lines drawn from the upper right to the lower left in Fig. 14), a portion of the waist elastic members 33 (transverse elastic members) arranged in the front waist portion 30 is located at the ends EXe, EXe of the layered region EX in the width direction. Specifically, the portion of the waist elastic members 33 (transverse elastic members) refers to the portion of the waist elastic members 33 (transverse elastic members) that overlaps with the layered region EX (the diagonal lines) in Fig. 14. The stacked area EX has high rigidity due to the overlapping of the waist elastic members 33 (horizontal elastic members), and since the force of the waist elastic members 33 (horizontal elastic members) is applied to such a highly rigid part, the force is easily transmitted when the diaper 1 is pulled up.

[0144] Fig. 15 is a schematic plan view of the diaper 1 as viewed from the front (ventral side). As shown in Fig. 15, when the diaper 1 is in its natural state, the intersection point between the leg gather elastic members 17 and the lower end of the front waistline 30 (waistline portion) is designated as intersection point C1, and the length of the line connecting intersection point C1 to the lower end C2 of the leg gather elastic members 17 is designated as length Lg. This length Lg is at least 45% of the vertical length (not shown) from intersection point C1 to the lower end of the leg gather elastic members 17 when they are fully stretched. Specifically, this means that when the length of the leg gather elastic members 17 at their fully stretched state (the length from intersection point C1 to the lower end) is taken as 100%, the contracted dimension of the leg gather elastic members 17 when the diaper 1 is in its natural state is at least 45% of that length. If a plurality of leg gather elastic members 17 are arranged, the measurement will be taken of the elastic member (leg gather elastic member 17f in this embodiment) arranged on the outermost side in the width direction among the leg gather elastic members 17. If the leg gather elastic members 17 are tucked inside when the diaper 1 is removed from the product package, the measurement will be taken after they are brought out (so that they are visible on the non-skin-facing side).

[0145] The smaller the ratio to the length at maximum extension, the narrower the leg openings LH will be when the diaper 1 is in its natural state. Conversely, the larger the ratio to the length at maximum extension, the wider the leg openings LH will be when the diaper 1 is in its natural state. Specifically, for a medium-size diaper 1, the length Lg is 52.3% of the vertical length of the leg gather elastic members 17 at maximum extension, and for a large-size diaper 1, it is 58.4%. In other words, in the diaper 1, the length Lg, which is the dimension of the contracted leg gather elastic members 17, is more than half the length of the leg gather elastic members 17 at maximum extension, and the leg openings LH are wide. By widening the leg openings LH in its natural state, the diaper can be pulled up with less force than when the leg openings LH are narrow, making it easier to put on.

[0146] Fig. 16 is another schematic plan view of the diaper 1 as seen from the front (ventral side). As shown in Fig. 16, a line segment LS1 connects an intersection C3 between one widthwise end 10ea of the absorbent main body 10 and the lower end 30ed of the front waistline section 30 and an intersection C4 between the other widthwise end 10eb of the absorbent main body 10 and the lower end 30ed of the front waistline section 30. Dividing lines that divide the line segment LS1 into four equal parts extend vertically from the line segment LS1 to the lower end of the diaper 1. Of the three dividing lines dividing the line segment LS1 into four equal parts, the one located in the widthwise center is the center line CT, and the dividing lines on either side of the center line CT in the widthwise direction are designated as one-side dividing lines V1 and other-side dividing lines V2. When the diaper 1 is in its natural state, the lengths of the center line CT, one-side dividing line V1, and other-side dividing line V2 from the lower end 30eb of the front waistband portion 30 to the lower end of the diaper 1 are designated as L1, L2, and L3, respectively. The average length of the length L2 of the one-side dividing line V1 and the length L3 of the other-side dividing line V2 is shorter than the length L1 of the center line CT. The ratio of the average length to the length L1 (average length of lengths L2 and L3 / length L1) is preferably less than 93%.

[0147] The measurements were taken with the diaper placed on a flat surface with the front waistband 30 facing up. The results of the measurements comparing the medium-sized diaper 1 with Products C and D are as follows. Products C and D are both commonly available pants-type disposable diapers for infants. Product C has an absorbent core with two absorbent layers including an SAP sheet, and the torque value after 24 hours (the value obtained by performing a torsion test after removing the weight after 24 hours) is 26.2 mN m. Product D has an absorbent core made of a mixture of liquid-absorbent fiber and SAP, and the torque value after 24 hours is 30.7 mN m. The ratio of the above average length to the length L1 of the center line CT (average length of lengths L2 and L3 / length L1) was calculated for each of the sizes, and the ratio of the above average length to the length L1 of M-size diaper 1 was 92.3%, the ratio of the above average length to the length L1 of product C was 96.2%, and the ratio of the above average length to the length L1 of product D was 95.0%.

[0148] In addition, if the diaper 1 is a so-called two-piece type pants-type absorbent article in which the front waistline portion 30 and the rear waistline portion 40 are formed from a single continuous member, or an outer member for the crotch portion connecting the front waistline portion 30 and the rear waistline portion 40 is provided, the intersection C3 shown in FIG. 16 will be "the intersection of the line segment connecting the lower ends of both sides in the width direction of the pair of side joining portions 2, 2 and one side end 10ea in the width direction of the absorbent main body 10," and the intersection C4 will be "the intersection of the line segment connecting the lower ends of both sides in the width direction of the pair of side joining portions 2, 2 and one side end 10ea in the width direction of the absorbent main body 10." The dividing lines are defined as the intersection of the line segment connecting the lower ends of the side joints 2, 2 on both sides in the width direction with the other widthwise end 10eb of the absorbent body 10, and each dividing line extends from the line segment connecting the lower ends of the side joints 2, 2 to the lower end of the diaper 1, and the lengths L1, L2, and L3 refer to the lengths from the upper and lower upper ends of the center line CT, the one-side dividing line V1, and the other-side dividing line V2, respectively, to their lower ends (the lengths from the line segment connecting the lower ends of the side joints 2, 2 to the lower end position of the diaper 1).

[0149] When the average length L2 of one dividing line V1 located on both widthwise sides of the center line CT and the length L3 of the other dividing line V2 is shorter than the length L1 of the center line CT (i.e., the smaller the ratio), the shape of the lower end (crotch portion) of the diaper 1 becomes rounded, with the center in the widthwise direction being more convex downward. This rounded shape allows the diaper 1 to fit easily under the crotch of the wearer when worn.

[0150] 1, in this embodiment, the waist elastic members 33 (transverse elastic members) and the leg gather elastic members 17 have intersecting portions TS when viewed in the thickness direction (front-to-back direction). Furthermore, not only the waist elastic members 33, but also the waist elastic members 43 (transverse elastic members) and the leg gather elastic members 17 have intersecting portions TS when viewed in the thickness direction (front-to-back direction) (see FIG. 2). The presence of the intersecting portions TS between the waist elastic members 33, 43 (transverse elastic members) and the leg gather elastic members 17 facilitates the transfer of force from the waist elastic members 33, 43 (transverse elastic members) to the crotch area when the waist portions (front waist portion 30, rear waist portion 40) are pulled up, via the intersecting portions TS, making it easier to pull up the diaper 1.

[0151] Fig. 17 is a schematic plan view of the diaper 1 in an unfolded and stretched state, as viewed from the non-skin side. As shown in Fig. 17, the regions of the front waistline section 30 and the rear waistline section 40 above the lower ends 2b of the side joint sections 2 (the regions from the upper ends 2a to the lower ends 2b of the side joint sections 2) are vertically divided into four regions, designated as a first region R1, a second region R2, a third region R3, and a fourth region R4 from the top. Note that although both the front waistline section 30 and the rear waistline section 40 are divided into four here, it is only necessary to vertically divide at least one of the pair of waistline sections (the front waistline section 30 and the rear waistline section 40) into four regions. In this embodiment, the force required to stretch the first region R1 by a unit length in the width direction is smaller than the force required to stretch the second region R2 by a unit length in the width direction, and the force required to stretch the fourth region R4 by a unit length in the width direction is smaller than the force required to stretch the third region R3 by a unit length in the width direction. Since the upper end portion (corresponding to the first region R1) of the waist portion 30 (40) has a weak tightening force, the diaper 1 is less likely to get caught on the buttocks when pulled up. Furthermore, since the tightening force of the crotch side of the waist portion 30 (40) (corresponding to the fourth region R4) is weak, the diaper 1 can be easily pulled up by the legs.

[0152] The comparison of the force required to stretch the first region R1 by a unit length in the width direction with the force required to stretch the second region R2 by a unit length in the width direction, and the comparison of the force required to stretch the third region R3 by a unit length in the width direction with the force required to stretch the fourth region R4 by a unit length in the width direction can be performed using the following method. First, the waist-lined portions 30, 40 are cut from the target diaper 1. The absorbent main body 10 is not separated from the waist-lined portions 30, 40, but is cut together with the absorbent main body 10 to prepare samples. If the diaper has a portion extending beyond the side joint 2 toward the crotch (for example, a portion covering the buttocks), this extending portion is not included in the cutting. The waist-lined portions 30, 40 are cut in the width direction at intervals of ¼ (L / 4) of the vertical length (L) of the side joint 2. Samples corresponding to each of the regions R1 to R4 are then cut out. Next, the initial distance between the pair of chucks spaced apart in the tensile direction of the tensile tester is adjusted to match the length of the sample (a length that will not loosen the sample or will loosen it slightly). The stretching direction of the sample (here, the width direction of the diaper 1) is set as the tensile direction, and both ends of the sample in the stretching direction are fixed with chucks. The width at which the chucks grip the sample in the tensile direction is kept constant. From the state in which both ends of the sample are fixed with chucks, the chucks are spaced apart by a unit length to stretch the sample, and the load obtained is measured. Then, the load of each sample is divided by the uniform vertical length (so-called unit width, here the vertical length of each of regions R1 to R4) and the values obtained are compared.

[0153] In this embodiment, a strip of adhesive is provided on the other thickness-wise side (skin side) of the core wrap sheet 26, which is disposed on one thickness-wise side (non-skin side) of the absorbent core 23. Similarly, a strip of adhesive is provided on the non-skin side of the core wrap sheet 25, which is disposed on the skin side of the absorbent core 21. The average width of the strip of adhesive applied to these core wrap sheets 25, 26 is smaller than the average particle size of the SAP particles, so the adhesive easily penetrates between the SAP particles. Specifically, the average width of the strip of adhesive is 0.016 to 0.018 mm, while the average particle size of the SAP particles is 0.3 to 0.4 mm (see FIG. 18, described later).

[0154] The average particle size of SAP can be measured using an electromagnetic sieve shaker (e.g., AS-200 manufactured by Retsch) as follows. The electromagnetic sieve shaker has sieves No. 1 to No. 7 with different mesh sizes (e.g., mesh sizes: 850, 600, 500, 355, 300, 250, and 150 μm) and a tray. First, the weights of the sieves No. 1 to No. 7 and the tray are measured and taken as measurement value A. Next, from bottom to top, the tray and sieves with mesh sizes of 150, 250, 300, 355, 500, 600, and 850 μm are stacked and set in the shaker. Next, 50 g of SAP is placed on the top sieve with an 850 μm mesh, and the sieve is covered and secured with a pressure pad. Next, set the shaker to 1.35 mm amplitude (for the AS-200 model, the amplitude adjustment dial is 45), operate continuously for 30 minutes, and start shaking. A shaking test is then performed for 30 minutes. After the shaking test is completed, measure the SAP remaining on each of the 1st to 7th sieves, as well as the weight of the sieve and the tray, and record this as measurement value B. From these data, calculate the distribution of SAP by particle size = (BA) / (total weight of SAP remaining on each sieve and on the tray) x 100 (%).

[0155] FIG. 18 shows an example of the measurement results of SAP particle size distribution. This figure shows the particle size distribution of SAP measured based on the shaking test described above for two types of SAP (both commercially available) that can be used in absorbent cores, Samples A and B. For example, if the shaking test for Sample A shows that the distribution of SAP remaining on the No. 4 sieve (355 μm mesh) is 48.3%, then 48.3% of the SAP in Sample A has a particle size distribution of 355 to 500 μm. From this data, the average particle size of SAP can be determined. Alternatively, SAP particle size may be calculated from a magnified microscope image such as that shown in FIG. 20, which will be described later, without relying on such a shaking test.

[0156] Fig. 19 is a plan view illustrating the regions of the core wrap sheet 26 where SAP particles and adhesive are provided. Fig. 19 shows the core wrap sheet 26 in an expanded and stretched state as viewed from the skin side (other side) in the thickness direction. In the core wrap sheet 26 (skin side) in Fig. 19, SAP particles are provided in the hatched divided regions 23a-23b, thereby forming the non-skin side layer 23 (absorbent core 2 3) is formed. The region of the core wrap sheet 26 located inside the outermost ends 23es, 23es of the non-skin side layer 23 in the width direction is referred to as the inner region IR. The region of the core wrap sheet 26 located outside the outermost ends 23es, 23es of the non-skin side layer 23 in the width direction is referred to as the outer region OR.

[0157] Figure 20 is a photograph taken at 40x magnification of a portion of the skin side of the core wrap sheet 26 in the inner region IR. Figure 21 is a photograph taken at 40x magnification of a portion of the skin side of the core wrap sheet 26 in the outer region OR. It can be seen that multiple strip-shaped (fibrous) adhesive and SAP particles are arranged in the inner region IR in Figure 20. On the other hand, multiple strip-shaped (fibrous) adhesive is arranged in the outer region OR in Figure 21, but no SAP particles are arranged. Furthermore, since nonwoven fabric is used as the core wrap sheet 26 in Figures 20 and 21, embossments formed during the production of the nonwoven fabric are also arranged.

[0158] 20, the width of the strip-like (fibrous) adhesive is smaller than the particle size of the SAP particles, and the adhesive penetrates between the SAP particles. Therefore, as described above, the SAP particles are easily fixed to each other via the adhesive, the SAP particles are less likely to shift position, and the absorbent core is prevented from losing its shape.

[0159] It can also be seen that the amount of strip-shaped adhesive applied per unit area (i.e., coating density) is lower in FIG. 21 than in FIG. 20 . That is, the number of intersections between strip-shaped (fibrous) adhesives per unit area in the outer region OR (see FIG. 21 ) is lower than the number of intersections between strip-shaped (fibrous) adhesives per unit area in the inner region IR (see FIG. 20 ). In this way, in the outer region OR where SAP particles are not disposed, the coating density of the adhesive applied to the core wrap sheet 26 is lower than that in the inner region IR where SAP particles are disposed, thereby preventing the adhesive from seeping out to the outside (non-skin side) of the core wrap sheet 26. On the other hand, in the inner region IR, the coating density of the adhesive that secures the SAP particles together is higher, making it less likely for the SAP particles to shift position. Therefore, the portion where the non-skin side layer 23 is disposed is firmly fixed, preventing uneven deformation and preventing poor wearability and leakage.

[0160] The number of intersections between band-like (fibrous) adhesives per unit area can be counted by taking a photograph like the one shown in Figures 20 and 21 and performing image analysis, for example. Furthermore, to measure the amount of adhesive applied (coating density) in the outer region OR and inner region IR, for example, the adhesive can be colored using bamboo charcoal or the like, then photographed, and the image can be digitized and binarized to extract the adhesive. The adhesive coating density can then be determined by calculating the area of the portion of the region being measured where the adhesive is applied.

[0161] Furthermore, in the absorbent cores 21-23, it is preferable that a layer having a high volume occupancy of SAP that does not contain the liquid-absorbent fiber 201 is present as the skin-side layer 21 or the non-skin-side layer 23. In this embodiment, the non-skin-side layer 23 is a layer that does not contain the liquid-absorbent fiber 201. Such a layer that does not contain the liquid-absorbent fiber 201 is more susceptible to liquid transfer than a layer that does contain the liquid-absorbent fiber 201. The presence of the non-skin-side layer 23 having a high volume occupancy of SAP that does not contain the liquid-absorbent fiber 201 improves absorbency. Furthermore, a layer having a high volume occupancy of SAP that does not contain the liquid-absorbent fiber 201 may be provided as the skin-side layer 21. In such a case, rewetting can be suppressed by the skin-side layer 21 thoroughly absorbing the liquid.

[0162] As described above, the skin-side layer 21 has a low-basis-weight region 211 in which the absorbent core has a lower basis weight than the surrounding area, and the skin-side upper layer 24, which is disposed closer to the skin than the skin-side layer 21, is disposed so as to overlap the low-basis-weight region 211 of the skin-side layer 21 in a plan view, although not shown. The skin-side upper layer 24 is laminated so as to cover at least the shape of the skin-side layer 21 shown in Fig. 6, and in the constricted portion 212, the skin-side upper layer 24 is also laminated on portions outer than both ends of the constricted portion 212 in the width direction. There is a risk that SAPs from the periphery of the low-basis-weight region 211 may shift and intrude into the low-basis-weight region 211. However, the presence of the skin-side upper layer 24 covering the low-basis-weight region 211 from the skin side makes it less likely that SAPs contained in regions outer than the low-basis-weight region 211 in the width direction and length direction shift, making it easier to maintain the shape of the low-basis-weight region 211.

[0163] 2 and 3, the rear waistband 40 of the diaper 1 is provided with a post-treatment tape 48. The post-treatment tape 48 is a tape-like member (tape member) that is elongated in the longitudinal direction and has a generally rectangular shape. The post-treatment tape 48 has a portion that overlaps with the absorbent main body 10 in the thickness direction. The provision of a highly rigid portion of the rear waistband 40 by the post-treatment tape 48 allows the pulling force when pulling up the diaper 1 to be more easily transmitted along the post-treatment tape 48 to the absorbent main body 10, making it easier to pull up the diaper 1.

[0164] ===Other=== The above-described embodiments are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention may be modified or improved without departing from the spirit thereof, and it goes without saying that the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

[0165] In the above-described embodiment, the non-skinside layer 23 illustrated in FIG. 6 has a shorter longitudinal length than the skinside layer 21 and the intermediate layer 22. However, this is not limited thereto, and the longitudinal lengths may be the same. Conversely, the longitudinal length of the non-skinside layer 23 may be longer than the longitudinal lengths of the skinside layer 21 and the intermediate layer 22. Increasing the length of the non-skinside layer 23 leads to improved absorbency. Conversely, the longitudinal length of the back side (rear side) of the non-skinside layer 23 may be even shorter than that of the present embodiment. In this case, material can be reduced, and the rigidity of the back-side absorbent core is reduced, resulting in increased flexibility. Furthermore, because the back-side region is located away from the wearer's urinary excretion opening, a short longitudinal length of the non-skinside layer 23 is less likely to cause leakage of excreted fluid.

[0166] In the above-described embodiment, the skin-side layer 21 and the intermediate layer 22 are integrally formed. However, the intermediate layer 22 and the non-skin-side layer 23 may also be integrally formed. In this case, a sheet such as an adhesive or a nonwoven fabric may or may not be interposed between the intermediate layer 22 and the skin-side layer 21. In this case, the skin-side layer 21 may be an SAP layer composed only of SAP, or may be a layer composed of SAP and liquid-absorbent fibers. However, it is preferable that the average value of the total area occupied by SAP per unit area in a cross section taken along the thickness direction of the skin-side layer 21 is larger than the average value of the total area occupied by SAP per unit area in a cross section taken along the thickness direction of the non-skin-side layer 23. This allows the SAP of the skin-side layer 21 to suppress rewet.

[0167] In the above-described embodiment, the skin-side layer 21 is a layer in which the volume occupied by the SAP is larger than the volume occupied by the liquid-absorbent fiber 201, and the intermediate layer 22 is a layer in which the volume occupied by the liquid-absorbent fiber 201 is larger than the volume occupied by the SAP. However, for example, the skin-side layer 21 and the intermediate layer 22 may be a single layer in which the SAP and the liquid-absorbent fiber are uniformly mixed and integrated. The non-skin-side layer 23 arranged on the non-skin-side side of the single layer may be a SAP sheet composed only of SAP, and the absorbent core may have a two-layer structure consisting of an upper layer (the single layer) and a lower layer. The skin-side layer 21 and the intermediate layer 22, which are the upper layer (single layer), may have, for example, a narrowed portion in the crotch region M that is relatively short in length (width) in the width direction, and a wide portion closer to the wearer's abdomen than the narrowed portion that is relatively long in length (width) in the width direction. Furthermore, if the width of the non-skin side layer 23, which is an SAP sheet, is longer than that of the wide portion of the upper layer, absorbency can be ensured. With such a configuration, the presence of a constricted portion reduces catching when pulled up, making it easier to put on, while maintaining absorbency.

[0168] In the above-described embodiment, the skin-side layer 21 and the intermediate layer 22 are constricted layers having constricted portions 212, 222, and the non-skin-side layer 23 is an extending layer having a portion 23E extending outward in the width direction beyond the side edges 212e, 222e of the constricted portions 212, 222. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, only the skin-side layer 21 may be a constricted layer having a constricted portion 212, and the intermediate layer 22 and the non-skin-side layer 23 may be extending layers having an extending portion 23E. With such a configuration, the presence of the constricted portion 212 maintains ease of application when pulled up, while the intermediate layer and the non-skin-side layer 23 being extending layers ensures good absorbency on the non-skin side and prevents leakage.

[0169] The absorbent core (skin side layer 21 and non-skin side layer 23) of the absorbent body 20 may be modified as follows. FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram showing a modified non-skin side layer 23. As shown in FIG. 22, the modified non-skin side layer 23 has a high basis weight region 233 in which the basis weight of the SAP is higher than that of the surrounding areas. In the high basis weight region 233, points S at which the thickness is maximum in the thickness direction are located intermittently in the longitudinal and width directions. As a result, the high basis weight regions 233 are arranged intermittently in the longitudinal and width directions. Furthermore, between adjacent points S at which the thickness is maximum (i.e., around the high basis weight region 233), low basis weight regions 234 in which the basis weight of the SAP is lower than that of the high basis weight region 233 are formed. However, as long as the points S at which the thickness is maximum are located intermittently in the longitudinal and width directions, part of the space between adjacent points S at which the thickness is maximum may be formed by the high basis weight region 233. In other words, the high basis weight region 233 may connect a part of the adjacent maximum thickness points S between them.

[0170] The low basis weight region 234 has a low basis weight laminated region 234E where SAP is laminated, and a non-laminated region 234N where no SAP is present. Here, "no SAP" not only means that no SAP particles are present, but also includes a situation where there are only a small number of laminated SAP particles and there are essentially no SAP particles present.

[0171] In the non-skinside layer 23 of this modified example, the low basis weight regions 234 (low basis weight laminated regions 234E and non-laminated regions 234N) serve as folding start points, allowing the layer to easily deform along the contours of the wearer's body, improving fit. Furthermore, the low basis weight regions 234 serving as folding start points include the low basis weight laminated regions 234E, which can absorb and retain excrement, and the non-laminated regions 234N, which are more easily bent due to the absence of SAP. As a result, even in the low basis weight regions 234, which have a lower basis weight of SAP than the high basis weight regions 233, it is possible to achieve both ease of deformation along the contours of the wearer's body and the ability to absorb and retain excrement.

[0172] Furthermore, in the modified example shown in FIG. 22 , when the length in the thickness direction from the core wrap sheet 26 to the point S where the maximum thickness is reached is defined as the maximum thickness T, it is preferable that the maximum thickness T is within 3 mm, and the distance D between adjacent points S where the maximum thickness is reached is within 5 times the maximum thickness T. By including such a non-skin-side layer 23, it is possible to arrange a large number of high basis weight regions and low basis weight regions while maintaining the overall thinness of the absorbent body 20. Therefore, the absorbent body 20 containing a superabsorbent polymer can improve its fit when worn while maintaining its thinness. It is even more preferable that the maximum thickness T is within 2 mm, and the distance D between adjacent points S where the maximum thickness is reached is within 4 times the maximum thickness T. This allows the absorbent body 20 containing a superabsorbent polymer to improve its fit when worn while maintaining its thinness.

[0173] Furthermore, the intermediate layer 22 is not limited to being formed integrally with either the skin side layer 21 or the non-skin side layer 23, but may be formed integrally with both. Alternatively, the three layers 21 to 23 may be formed individually and then laminated. In this case, a nonwoven fabric or an adhesive may or may not be provided between the skin side layer 21 and the intermediate layer 22, and between the intermediate layer 22 and the non-skin side layer 23, respectively.

[0174] Furthermore, the superabsorbent polymer (SAP) used in this embodiment is preferably spherical rather than crushed. By uniformly stacking spherical SAP, which have a uniform shape and a smaller surface area than crushed SAP, the absorbent body 20 can be made thinner, and the absorbent body 20 is less likely to become hard when made thinner. [Explanation of symbols]

[0175] 1. Diapers (absorbent articles) 2 Side joints 10 Absorbent body 12 Topsheet 13 Leak-proof film 14 Exterior sheet 14f Folded section 15 Side seat 16 Leak-proof wall elastic member 16a First leak-proof wall elastic member 16b Second leak-proof wall elastic member 17 Leg gather elastic member 17a~f Leg gather elastic member 20 Absorbent 21 Absorbent core, skin side layer, constriction layer 22 Absorbent core, intermediate layer, and constriction layer 23 Absorbent core, non-skin side layer, extension layer 23a~c divided area 23E Extending part 24 absorbent core, upper layer next to skin 25 Core Wrap Sheet 26 Core wrap sheet 27 Nonwoven fabric 30 Front waistband 31 Non-skin side sheet 32 Skin side sheet 33 Waist elastic member 33a~i Waist elastic member 40 Back waist 41 Non-skin side sheet 42 Skin side sheet 43 Waist elastic member 43a-c waist elastic member 48 Post-processing tape 50 Point-shaped compressed part (compressed part) 201 Liquid absorbent fiber 211 Low basis weight area 212 Neck 221 Low basis weight area 222 Neck 231 Low basis weight area 233 High basis weight area 234 Low basis weight area 234E Low basis weight laminate area 234N Non-laminated area

Claims

1. In the unfolded state, the sheet has a longitudinal direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction which are perpendicular to each other, An absorbent article having an absorbent core comprising liquid-absorbent fibers and a superabsorbent polymer, The absorbent core has a plurality of layers stacked in the thickness direction, the plurality of layers includes a constricted layer having a constricted portion in a crotch portion corresponding to the crotch of a wearer, the width of the constricted portion is narrower than the maximum width of one end of the constricted layer in the longitudinal direction, The constricted layer has the liquid-absorbent fiber, the plurality of layers includes an extension layer different from the constriction layer, the extension layer has a portion extending outward in the width direction beyond a side end of the constricted portion, In at least one of the extension layers, the volume occupied by the superabsorbent polymer is larger than the volume occupied by the liquid-absorbent fiber, When the absorbent article is folded in half at the center fold in the longitudinal direction, the bottom area is 150 cm ２ An absorbent article characterized in that, after a weight of 5 kg is placed on the absorbent article for 24 hours and then the weight is removed, the thickness of the folded portion at the center in the width direction is 6.4 mm or less.

2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, An absorbent article characterized in that in a torsion test in which the center of the longitudinal direction at both widthwise ends of the absorbent article in the folded state is grasped and twisted around an imaginary axis along the width direction, and the center of the widthwise direction at both widthwise ends of the absorbent article in the folded state is grasped and twisted around an imaginary axis along the longitudinal direction, the torque value of the absorbent article before absorption is 23.4 mN·m or less.

3. The absorbent article according to claim 1, An absorbent article characterized in that the absorbent core has a low basis weight region in the crotch region that has a lower basis weight than the surrounding area and that extends along the longitudinal direction.

4. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, The absorbent article is characterized in that the absorbent core has a portion where the number of layers stacked is small at at least one of one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction.

5. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, One of the plurality of layers has a first low basis weight region having a basis weight lower than that of a surrounding area, Among the plurality of layers, a layer other than the layer having the first low basis weight region has a second low basis weight region having a basis weight lower than that of the surrounding area, An absorbent article, characterized in that the first low basis weight region and the second low basis weight region have an overlapping portion in a plan view.

6. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, An absorbent article, wherein the maximum width of the constricted layer is different from the maximum width of the extension layer in the width direction.

7. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, The absorbent article is characterized in that, in the constricted portion, the maximum width of the constricted layer in the width direction is larger than the maximum width of the extension layer in the width direction.

8. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, When one side in the longitudinal direction is the wearer's ventral side and the other side in the longitudinal direction is the wearer's back side, An absorbent article, characterized in that a minimum width portion of the constricted portion, where the width in the width direction is minimum, is located on the abdominal side in the longitudinal direction.

9. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, An absorbent article, wherein the absorbent core has a plurality of compression portions formed to compress the absorbent core in the thickness direction.

10. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, The absorbent article is a pants-type absorbent article having an absorbent main body including the absorbent core, and a pair of waistband portions joined by a pair of side joining portions at both sides in the width direction, The absorbent main body has a pair of leg gather portions on both sides in the width direction, having a vertical direction perpendicular to the width direction, The leg gather portion is provided with three or more leg gather elastic members that stretch along the up-down direction, In the deployed and extended state, In the width direction, a region between the leg gather elastic member provided on the innermost side and the leg gather elastic member provided on the outermost side is defined as a leg gather elastic region, When the leg gather elastic region is divided into two equal parts in the width direction, the region located on the inner side is an inner leg gather elastic region, and the region located on the outer side is an outer leg gather elastic region, The average length of the leg gather elastic member disposed in the inner leg gather elastic region, to which an elastic force acts in the longitudinal direction, is An absorbent article characterized in that the length of the leg gather elastic member arranged in the outer leg gather elastic region is 10% or more shorter than the average length of the portion to which an elastic force is applied in the longitudinal direction.

11. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, The belt has a plurality of transverse elastic members that stretch in the width direction, An absorbent article characterized in that, in a stretched state, the transverse elastic members that overlap with the absorbent core in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent core are not arranged continuously from one end to the other end of the absorbent core in the width direction.

12. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, The absorbent article is a pants-type absorbent article having an absorbent main body including the absorbent core, transverse elastic members stretchable in the width direction, and a pair of waistband portions joined at both side edges in the width direction by a pair of side joining portions, An absorbent article characterized in that the lateral elastic member continuously crosses the region of the absorbent body where the absorbent core is not present from one end to the other end in the width direction.

13. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, The plurality of layers are a skin-side layer having a first thickness and in which the volume occupied by the superabsorbent polymer is greater than the volume occupied by the liquid-absorbent fiber; an intermediate layer having a second thickness, the intermediate layer having a volume occupied by the liquid-absorbent fibers greater than a volume occupied by the superabsorbent polymer; a non-skin side layer having a third thickness and in which the volume occupied by the superabsorbent polymer is greater than the volume occupied by the liquid-absorbent fiber; the intermediate layer is located closer to the skin than the skin side layer in the thickness direction, The absorbent article is characterized in that the non-skin side layer is located closer to the skin side in the thickness direction than the intermediate layer.

14. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, a core wrap sheet disposed on one side of the absorbent core in the thickness direction; A strip-shaped adhesive is provided on the other surface of the core wrap sheet in the thickness direction, the average width of the adhesive strip is smaller than the average particle size of the superabsorbent polymer; An outer region is an area of the other surface of the core wrap sheet that is located outside the outermost end of the absorbent core in the width direction, When the region of the other side surface of the core wrap sheet that is located inside the outermost end of the absorbent core in the width direction is defined as an inner region, An absorbent article, characterized in that the number of intersections between the strips of adhesive per unit area in the outer region is less than the number of intersections between the strips of adhesive per unit area in the inner region.

15. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, The density of the absorbent core is 0.2 g / cm ３ That's all An absorbent article characterized by:

16. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, the absorbent article is a pants-type absorbent article having a pair of waistband portions joined at both sides in the width direction by a pair of side joining portions, A transverse elastic member stretches in the width direction, When a region of the absorbent core where the constricted layer and the extension layer are laminated in the thickness direction is defined as a laminated region, An absorbent article, characterized in that a part of the lateral elastic member is located at an end of the layered portion in the width direction.

17. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, The absorbent article is a pants-type absorbent article having an absorbent main body including the absorbent core, a pair of leg openings, and a pair of waistband portions joined by a pair of side joining portions at both sides in the width direction, The pants-type absorbent article has a vertical direction, and when the pair of waist-circumference portions are defined as upper sides and the pair of leg-circumference opening sides are defined as lower sides, The absorbent main body has a pair of leg gather portions on both sides in the width direction, The leg gather portion is provided with a leg gather elastic member that stretches along the up-down direction, An absorbent article characterized in that, in a natural state, the length of a line connecting the intersection point between the leg gather elastic member and the lower end of the waistband portion and the lower end of the leg gather elastic member is 45% or more of the vertical length from the intersection point to the lower end of the leg gather elastic member when the leg gather elastic member is at its maximum extension.

18. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, a pants-type absorbent article having an absorbent main body including the absorbent core, a pair of leg openings, and a front waistline portion and a rear waistline portion joined at both sides in the width direction by a pair of side joining portions, The pants-type absorbent article has a vertical direction, and when the front waistline portion and the rear waistline portion are defined as upper sides and the pair of leg openings are defined as lower sides, dividing lines that divide a line segment connecting an intersection point between one side end of the absorbent main body in the width direction and the lower end of the front waistline portion and an intersection point between the other side end of the absorbent main body in the width direction and the lower end of the front waistline portion into four equal parts and extending the line segment along the up-down direction from the line segment to the lower end of the pants-type absorbent article; the dividing line that is located in the center of the width direction among the dividing lines that divide the absorbent main body into four equal parts is called a center line, and the dividing lines on both sides of the center line in the width direction are called one-side dividing lines and the other-side dividing lines, respectively; In a natural state, the lengths of the center line, the one-side dividing line, and the other-side dividing line from the lower end position of the front waistband portion to the lower end position of the pants-type absorbent article are defined as length L1, length L2, and length L3, respectively. The average length of the length L2 and the length L3 is shorter than the length L1, An absorbent article characterized in that the ratio of the average length to the length L1 is less than 93%.

19. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, The absorbent article is a pants-type absorbent article having an absorbent main body including the absorbent core, transverse elastic members stretchable in the width direction, and a pair of waistband portions joined at both side edges in the width direction by a pair of side joining portions, The pants-type absorbent article has a vertical direction perpendicular to the width direction, The absorbent main body has a pair of leg gather portions on both sides in the width direction, The leg gather portion is provided with a leg gather elastic member that stretches along the up-down direction, An absorbent article characterized in that the transverse elastic members and the leg gather elastic members intersect at portions when viewed in the thickness direction.

20. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, the absorbent article is a pants-type absorbent article having a pair of waistband portions joined at both sides in the width direction by a pair of side joining portions, The pants-type absorbent article has a vertical direction, and when the pair of waist-circumference portions is defined as an upper side and the other side is defined as a lower side, When the region above the lower end of the side joint portion of at least one of the pair of waistband portions is divided into four in the vertical direction, and from the top, it is defined as a first region, a second region, a third region, and a fourth region, the magnitude of the force required to extend the first region by a unit length in the width direction is smaller than the magnitude of the force required to extend the second region by a unit length in the width direction; An absorbent article characterized in that the magnitude of the force required to stretch the fourth region by a unit length in the width direction is smaller than the magnitude of the force required to stretch the third region by a unit length in the width direction.

21. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, The absorbent body has an absorbent core including a skin side layer, an intermediate layer, and a non-skin side layer laminated at least in the thickness direction, An absorbent article, wherein the intermediate layer does not contain a nonwoven fabric.

22. 22. The absorbent article of claim 21, An absorbent article, wherein the layer of the absorbent core closest to the skin does not contain water-absorbent resin powder.

23. 22. The absorbent article of claim 21, An absorbent article characterized in that the superabsorbent polymer contained in the layer closest to the skin of the absorbent core has a liquid permeation rate under load of more than 10 seconds.

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