Underpants type absorbent article

Abstract

To provide an underpants type absorbent article that gives a user a feeling of safety before using the product while preventing leakage.SOLUTION: There is provided an underpants type absorbent article (1) having an absorber (20) including liquid absorbent fibers (201) and high absorbent polymers. An absorbent body (10) including the absorber (20) includes a pair of leg gather parts (LG). The leg gather parts (LG) are provided with a leg gather elastic member (17) In a twisting test of the underpants type absorbent article (1) in a double-folded state folded by a central folding part (F) in a longitudinal direction in an absorbed state in which artificial urine is absorbed for a skin side face of the underpants type absorbent article (1), a torque value of the article (1) is equal to or less than 44.1 mN m. The leg gather elastic member (17) is arranged so that the length in a vertical direction of the article (1) in a natural state before absorption is 85.3% or more of the length in a vertical direction of the article (1) at the maximum extension.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pants-type 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 an absorbent layer mainly composed of a fiber aggregate and containing two or more fibers selected from synthetic fibers, water-absorbent natural fibers, and water-absorbent polymers, and an absorbent sheet provided on the non-skin side of the absorbent layer and containing a water-absorbent polymer. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-001810 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the absorbent article in Patent Document 1 has a portion of the absorbent core where the non-skin-facing layer (absorbent sheet) containing a water-absorbent polymer overlaps with the leg-hole elastic members in the thickness direction. Contraction of the elastic members causes the absorbent article to shrink, reducing its apparent dimensions before use and potentially reducing the sense of security it provides. Unlike the absorbent article in Patent Document 1, even if the absorbent body using a sheet made of a superabsorbent polymer and the leg-hole elastic members do not overlap, if the absorbent body uses a thin, flexible superabsorbent polymer sheet material and the leg-hole elastic members are contracted too strongly to prevent leakage, the product may shrink vertically, similarly reducing its apparent dimensions. On the other hand, if the leg-hole elastic members are contracted too little to maintain their apparent dimensions before use, the superabsorbent polymer swells and becomes highly rigid after absorbing excrement, resulting in poor fit. This may cause the absorbent body to sag, creating gaps between the body and the absorbent article, potentially resulting in leakage.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a pants-type absorbent article that prevents leakage while giving the user a sense of security before using the product. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The main invention for achieving the above object is a pants-type absorbent article having a top-bottom direction, a width direction, and a front-to-back direction which are perpendicular to one another, and having an absorbent body containing a liquid-absorbent fiber and a superabsorbent polymer, the absorbent body having an absorbent main body which has a pair of leg gather portions on both sides in the width direction, and in the leg gather portions, leg gather elastic members which stretch along the top-to-bottom direction are provided outside the absorbent body in the width direction, and the pants-type absorbent article is in an unfolded and stretched state, and 40 ml of artificial urine is dropped three times over 5 seconds onto the skin-side surface of the pants-type absorbent article in a position 50 mm forward of the center in the longitudinal direction which is perpendicular to the width direction and at the center in the width direction, and in an absorbed state in which the artificial urine has been absorbed and a torsion test in which the pant-type absorbent article is folded in half at the central fold in the longitudinal direction and the central portions in the vertical direction of both end portions in the width direction are gripped and twisted around imaginary axes along the width direction, and the pant-type absorbent article is folded in half at the central fold in the longitudinal direction and the central portions in the width direction of both end portions in the vertical direction are gripped and twisted around imaginary axes along the vertical direction, wherein the torque value of the pant-type absorbent article is 44.1 mN·m or less, and the leg gather elastic members are arranged so that the length from the top to the bottom end in the vertical direction of the pant-type absorbent article in its natural state before absorption is 85.3% or more of the length from the top to the bottom end in the vertical direction of the pant-type absorbent article when it is fully stretched. 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 a pants-type absorbent article that prevents leakage and gives the user a sense of security before using the product. [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 process for achieving an absorbing state. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams of the torsion test. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the measurement of the folded portion F. [Figure 12] Figure 12A shows the test doll DL placed on a horizontal surface Hr, Figure 12B shows the test doll DL wearing a diaper 1, and Figure 12C shows the state of the diaper 1 after absorbing artificial urine. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the results of a measurement test for measuring the amount of sagging and protrusion. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a diaper 1 as seen from the front side (ventral side). [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the absorbent body 20 as seen from the skin side. [Figure 16] FIG. 1 shows an adhesive HMA that adheres the topsheet 12. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an adhesive HMA that adheres the leak-proof film 13. [Figure 18] 10A and 10B are a plan view and a cross-sectional view of a modified example of the absorbent main body 10. FIG. [Figure 19] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the non-skin side layer 23. FIG. [Figure 20] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a modified example of the diaper 1. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a modified example of the diaper 1. 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) A pants-type absorbent article having a top-bottom direction, a width direction, and a front-to-back direction which are orthogonal to one another, and having an absorbent body containing a liquid-absorbent fiber and a superabsorbent polymer, the absorbent body having an absorbent main body including the absorbent body, the absorbent main body having a pair of leg gather portions on both sides in the width direction, and leg gather elastic members which stretch along the top-to-bottom direction are provided in the leg gather portions on the outer side of the absorbent body in the width direction, the leg gather elastic members stretching along the top-to-bottom direction being provided on the outer side of the absorbent body in the width direction, and 40 ml of artificial urine is dropped three times over 5 seconds onto the skin-side surface of the pants-type absorbent article in an unfolded and stretched state, at a position 50 mm forward of the center in the longitudinal direction which is orthogonal to the width direction and at a center position in the width direction, and in an absorbed state after the artificial urine has been absorbed, In a torsion test in which the pant-type absorbent article is folded in half at the central fold and the central portions of both widthwise ends are grasped and twisted around imaginary axes along the width direction, and the central portions of both widthwise ends of the pant-type absorbent article are grasped and twisted around imaginary axes along the vertical direction, the torque value of the pant-type absorbent article is 44.1 mN·m or less, and the leg gather elastic members are arranged so that the length from the top to the bottom in the vertical direction of the pant-type absorbent article in its natural state before absorption is 85.3% or more of the length from the top to the bottom in the vertical direction of the pant-type absorbent article when it is fully stretched.

[0010] According to the first aspect, the article has a low bending resistance (torque value) after absorption, meaning that the article remains soft even after absorption. Therefore, even if the leg-gathering elastic members cause weak contraction around the legs, the contraction force of the leg-gathering elastic members is easily transmitted, and the contraction does not weaken. This allows the article to fit easily around the legs and prevent leakage. Furthermore, the article shrinks little in the vertical direction before absorption, and the apparent dimensions of the article before use are large, providing a sense of security to the user.

[0011] (Aspect 2) The pant-type absorbent article according to aspect 1, wherein in a torsion test in which the pant-type absorbent article in the folded state is gripped at the longitudinal center of both widthwise end portions and twisted around an imaginary axis along the width direction, and the pant-type absorbent article in the folded state is gripped at the widthwise center of both widthwise end portions and twisted around an imaginary axis along the longitudinal direction, the torque value of the pant-type absorbent article before absorption is 21.1 mN·m or less.

[0012] According to the second aspect, the article is soft even before absorption, so that even if the contraction around the legs due to the leg gather elastic members is weak, the contraction force of the leg gather elastic members is easily transmitted, and the fit before absorption can be maintained.

[0013] (Aspect 3) In a measurement test using a test doll to measure the amount of sagging and protrusion of the pants-type absorbent article after absorbing liquid, the length L1 in the up-down direction from the urination opening of the test doll to the bottom end of the pants-type absorbent article after absorbing liquid was measured, and the length L2 in the front-to-back direction from the urination opening of the test doll to the front end of the pants-type absorbent article after absorbing liquid was measured. When the length L1 is the sagging length and the length L2 is the protrusion length, the value obtained by multiplying the length L1 and the length L2 is 2004 mm. 2 The pants-type absorbent article according to the following aspect 1 or 2.

[0014] According to the third aspect, by keeping the elastic modulus at or below this value, the absorbent body is prevented from expanding even after absorbing liquid. Since the absorbent body is less likely to expand after absorption and has a low post-absorption stiffness and softness, even if the contraction of the leg-gathered elastic members around the legs is weak, the contraction force of the leg-gathered elastic members is easily transmitted, and the fit is less likely to deteriorate. Furthermore, by weakening the contraction of the leg-gathered elastic members, contraction in the vertical direction is suppressed, and the apparent dimensions can be increased.

[0015] (Aspect 4) The pants-type absorbent article is described in any one of aspects 1 to 3, which has a front waistline portion and a rear waistline portion joined by a pair of side joints on both sides in the width direction, and when the intersection point C1 is the point where a line segment connecting the lower ends of both sides of the pair of side joints in the width direction intersects with the leg gather elastic member, the ratio of the length L5 of the line segment connecting the intersection point C1 to the lower end position of the leg gather elastic member to the length L3 in the vertical direction from the lower end position of the side joint to the lower end position of the pants-type absorbent article is 45% or more.

[0016] According to the fourth aspect, the leg gather elastic members do not contract too much, which reduces the apparent size of the product before use, thereby reducing the wearer's anxiety about leakage before use and providing a sense of security before use.

[0017] (Aspect 5) In the unfolded state, the leg gather portion is provided with three or more leg gather elastic members that stretch along the longitudinal direction, and in the width direction, a region between the leg gather elastic member provided at the innermost position and the leg gather elastic member provided at the outermost position is defined as a leg gather elastic region, and when the leg gather elastic region is divided into two equal parts in the width direction, the region located on the inner side 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. In this case, the stretching force of the leg gather elastic member disposed in the outer leg gather elastic region in the longitudinal direction is The pants-type absorbent article according to any one of Aspects 1 to 4, wherein an intermittent leg gather portion where a portion where the stretching force of at least some of the leg gather elastic members arranged in the inner leg gather elastic region is applied overlaps with a portion where the stretching force of at least some of the leg gather elastic members arranged in the inner leg gather elastic region is not applied is provided only forward of a central position of the pants-type absorbent article, and the force required to stretch the inner leg gather elastic region by a unit length in the longitudinal direction from its natural state in the intermittent leg gather portion is smaller than the force required to stretch the outer leg gather elastic region by a unit length in the longitudinal direction from its natural state.

[0018] According to the fifth aspect, the force of the leg gather elastic members (inner leg gather elastic regions) close to the absorbent body is small, so that the absorbent body is less likely to shrink before use, reducing anxiety about leakage before use.

[0019] (Aspect 6) The pants-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 5, wherein a plurality of the leg gather elastic members are provided, and the absorbent body has a pair of leakage prevention wall portions on both sides in the width direction, the leakage prevention wall portions stretch along the up-down direction and have one or more leakage prevention wall elastic members that make the leakage prevention wall portions stand up against the skin, and the elongation ratio of each of the leakage prevention wall elastic members is greater than the elongation ratio of each of the leg gather elastic members.

[0020] According to aspect 6, the leakage preventing wall elastic members are elastic members that make the leakage preventing wall portions stand up toward the skin, and even if the extension ratio of such elastic members is large, the effect of shrinking the absorbent body is small, but if the extension ratio of the leg gather elastic members is large, the effect of shrinking the absorbent body is large. Therefore, by reducing the extension ratio of the leg gather elastic members (by weakening the contraction force), the absorbent body is less likely to shrink, and it is easier to maintain a large apparent size before use.

[0021] (Aspect 7) In a pants-type absorbent article according to aspect 5, among the plurality of leg gather elastic members, the leg gather elastic member located at the innermost position in the width direction is located at the same position as the rising point of the leakage preventing wall portion or outside the rising point in the width direction.

[0022] According to aspect 7, if the leak-proof wall elastic member and the leg gather elastic member are located inside the rising point of the leak-proof wall portion, the positions at which the elastic force of the leak-proof wall elastic member and the elastic force of the leg gather elastic member are exerted will be close to each other, which may cause the absorbent body to shrink. However, the above configuration reduces the shrinkage of the absorbent body.

[0023] (Aspect 8) In the pants-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 7, the leg gather elastic members have an elongation ratio of 2.4 times or less, a number of the leg gather elastic members is 1 to 6, and a thickness is 310 dtex or more and 780 dtex or less.

[0024] According to the eighth aspect, the weak contraction of the leg gather elastic members suppresses shrinkage of the article in the vertical direction, and the apparent dimensions of the article before use become larger, giving the user a sense of security.

[0025] (Aspect 9) In the unfolded and stretched state, the absorbent body is a pants-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 8, which has a constricted portion in the crotch region corresponding to the crotch of the wearer, the width in the width direction of which is narrower than the maximum width of one end of the absorbent body in the longitudinal direction.

[0026] According to the ninth aspect, the width of the absorber in the crotch area is narrow, so that the rigidity of the crotch area after absorption can be reduced and the groin area can be easily fitted. Therefore, leakage is less likely even when urination is performed multiple times.

[0027] (Aspect 10) The absorbent body is a pants-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 9, having a low-basis weight region in the crotch area corresponding to the crotch of the wearer, the low-basis weight region having a lower basis weight than the surrounding area and extending in the vertical direction.

[0028] According to the tenth aspect, the low basis weight region reduces the stiffness after absorption and allows the underwear to fit the leg openings more easily. Therefore, leakage is less likely even when urination is performed multiple times.

[0029] (Aspect 11) The pants-type absorbent article according to any one of Aspects 1 to 10, wherein the absorbent body has a plurality of compression portions formed so as to compress the absorbent body in the thickness direction.

[0030] According to aspect 11, the rigidity before use is increased to make the absorbent body less likely to shrink. Since the absorbent body is less likely to shrink, it is possible to prevent the apparent dimensions before use from becoming smaller, giving the wearer a sense of security.

[0031] (Aspect 12) The absorbent body is a pants-type absorbent article according to any one of Aspects 1 to 11, wherein the number of layers of materials at both side edges in the width direction is greater than the number of layers of materials at the center in the width direction.

[0032] According to the twelfth aspect, the rigidity of the absorbent body is higher at the widthwise ends than at the widthwise center, and shrinkage of the widthwise ends near the leg gather elastic members located widthwise outward of the absorbent body is suppressed, thereby suppressing a reduction in the apparent dimensions before use and reducing anxiety about leakage before use.

[0033] (Aspect 13) The absorbent main body has a top sheet provided closer to the skin than the absorbent body, In the pants-type absorbent article according to any one of Aspects 1 to 12, the top sheet extends further in the width direction than the absorbent core.

[0034] According to aspect 13, there are leg gathers on both sides of the absorbent body in the width direction, and the presence of the top sheet near the leg gathers increases the rigidity near the leg gathers, thereby reducing the stretching force of the leg gathers transmitted to the absorbent body.

[0035] (Aspect 14) A pants-type absorbent article according to aspect 13, wherein in an unfolded state, the article has a thickness direction that intersects with the longitudinal direction and the width direction, and in the longitudinal direction, an adhesive is continuously provided on the non-skin side of the top sheet in the thickness direction in an area that overlaps with at least the portion where the stretching force of the leg gather elastic member acts.

[0036] According to the fourteenth aspect, the adhesive is continuously applied in the longitudinal direction, which increases the rigidity in the longitudinal direction and makes the absorbent body less likely to shrink in the longitudinal (vertical) direction. This prevents the apparent dimensions before use from becoming smaller, providing a sense of security.

[0037] (Aspect 15) A pants-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 14, wherein, in the unfolded and stretched state, the leg gather elastic member is not provided in the innermost region when the region from the end of the absorber to the end of the absorbent main body in the width direction is divided into three.

[0038] According to the fifteenth aspect, by not providing leg gather elastic members in the region close to the absorbent body among the three regions divided in the width direction, deformation of the absorbent body can be suppressed, and the absorbent body is less likely to shrink in the vertical direction.

[0039] (Aspect 16) A pants-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 15, wherein in an unfolded state, the article has a thickness direction that intersects with the longitudinal direction and the width direction, the absorbent main body has a non-skin-side sheet that is provided on the non-skin-side side of the absorbent body in the thickness direction, and a leak-proof film that is provided between the absorbent body and the non-skin-side sheet in the thickness direction, and the leak-proof film and the leg gather elastic member have overlapping portions when viewed in the thickness direction.

[0040] According to the sixteenth aspect, the overlapping portions of the leak-barrier film and the leg gather elastic members are highly rigid, which reduces the force that contracts the absorbent body. This prevents the apparent dimensions of the absorbent body from becoming smaller before use, and reduces concerns about leakage before use.

[0041] (Aspect 17) In the pants-type absorbent article of aspect 16, the leak-proof film is adhered by an adhesive that is continuously provided in the vertical direction at least in the area that overlaps with the part where the stretching force of the leg gather elastic member acts in the vertical direction.

[0042] According to the seventeenth aspect, the adhesive is continuously applied in the vertical direction, which increases the rigidity in the vertical direction and makes the absorbent body less likely to shrink in the vertical direction. This prevents the apparent dimensions from decreasing before use, reduces anxiety about leakage before use, and provides a sense of security.

[0043] (Aspect 18) A pants-type absorbent article according to aspect 16 or 17, which has a front waistband and a rear waistband that is formed as a separate member from the front waistband, the front waistband and the rear waistband being joined at both sides in the width direction by a pair of side joints, and at least in the crotch area corresponding to the wearer's crotch, a portion in which a plurality of sheet materials are provided on the non-skin side in the thickness direction of the leakproof film.

[0044] According to Aspect 18, the rigidity of the crotch area (the center of the product) is increased, suppressing vertical shrinkage of the entire product. This prevents the apparent dimensions before use from becoming smaller, reduces anxiety about leakage before use, and provides a sense of security.

[0045] (Aspect 19) A pants-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 16 to 18, comprising a front waistband and a rear waistband that is formed as a separate member from the front waistband, the front waistband and the rear waistband being joined at both sides in the width direction by a pair of side joints, and when the area in the crotch region corresponding to the wearer's crotch that is closer to the skin in the thickness direction than the leakproof film is defined as the outer region, the basis weight of the outer region is higher than the basis weight of the sheet material that is arranged outermost in the thickness direction in the front waistband or the rear waistband.

[0046] According to Aspect 19, the increased rigidity of the crotch area (the center of the product) suppresses vertical shrinkage of the entire product, thereby preventing the apparent dimensions before use from becoming smaller, reducing anxiety about leakage before use and providing a sense of security.

[0047] (Aspect 20) In a deployed state, the sheet has a thickness direction that intersects with the longitudinal direction and the width direction, The pants-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 19, wherein a sheet material other than the sheet material constituting the leg gathered portions is provided closer to the skin than the leg gathered portions when viewed in the thickness direction.

[0048] According to the 20th aspect, the sheet material is further layered on the skin-facing side of the leg gathers, thereby increasing rigidity and reducing the stretching force of the leg gathers. This suppresses shrinkage of the absorbent body in the vertical direction (longitudinal direction) and prevents the apparent dimensions before use from becoming smaller, thereby reducing concerns about leakage before use.

[0049] (Aspect 21) A pants-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 20, which has a pair of leakage prevention wall portions on both sides in the width direction of the absorbent main body, the leakage prevention wall portions stretch along the up-down direction and have one or more leakage prevention wall elastic members that make the leakage prevention wall portions stand up against the skin, the leakage prevention wall portions have a plurality of compression portions formed to compress the leakage prevention wall portions in the thickness direction, and has portions where the leg gathered portions and the compression portions overlap when viewed in the thickness direction of the pants-type absorbent article.

[0050] According to the twenty-first aspect, the compressed portions increase the rigidity of the leg areas and reduce the stretching force of the leg gathers, thereby suppressing vertical shrinkage of the absorbent body, reducing the reduction in the apparent dimensions before use, and providing a sense of security before use.

[0051] (Aspect 22) 22. A pants-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 21, wherein in an unfolded state, the absorbent body has a thickness direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the width direction, the absorbent body has a plurality of layers stacked in the thickness direction, one of the plurality of layers is a superabsorbent polymer layer in which the volume occupied by the superabsorbent polymer is larger than the volume occupied by the liquid-absorbent fiber, the superabsorbent polymer layer has a high basis weight region in which the basis weight of the superabsorbent polymer is higher than that of the surrounding area, the high basis weight region is arranged so that points of maximum thickness in the thickness direction are located intermittently in the longitudinal direction and the width direction, the maximum thickness is within 3 mm, and the distance between adjacent points of maximum thickness is 5 times or less the maximum thickness.

[0052] According to the 22nd aspect, the superabsorbent polymer layer has a low-basis-weight region surrounding a high-basis-weight region, and the low-basis-weight region serves as a folding point, which facilitates deformation and improves fit. Furthermore, the superabsorbent polymer layer is thin, allowing the absorbent body to maintain its thinness. Therefore, with an article having such a thin absorbent body, even if the contraction around the legs due to the leg-gathered elastic members is weak, the contraction force of the leg-gathered elastic members is easily transmitted, and the contraction does not weaken.

[0053] (Aspect 23) The absorbent body is a pants-type absorbent article described in any one of aspects 1 to 22, 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 contain nonwoven fabric.

[0054] According to the twenty-third aspect, 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.

[0055] (Aspect 24) Aspect 24 is a pants-type absorbent article according to any one of Aspects 1 to 23, wherein the layer of the absorbent core closest to the skin does not contain a water-absorbent resin powder.

[0056] According to aspect 24, 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.

[0057] (Aspect 25) Aspect 24 is a pants-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 23, 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.

[0058] According to aspect 25, 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.

[0059] === 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 absorbent articles such as tape-type disposable diapers and shorts-type napkins. 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.

[0060] <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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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.

[0063] 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.

[0064] 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.

[0065] 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."

[0066] 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.

[0067] (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.

[0068] 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.

[0069] 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.

[0070] 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.

[0071] 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.

[0072] 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.

[0073] 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.

[0074] 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.

[0075] 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.

[0076] 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.

[0077] 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.

[0078] 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.

[0079] 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.

[0080] ===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.

[0081] 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.

[0082] 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.

[0083] 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.

[0084] 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.

[0085] 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.

[0086] 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.

[0087] 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."

[0088] 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.

[0089] Conventionally, absorbers 20 having layers (skinside layer 21, non-skinside layer 23) in which the volume occupied by SAP is larger than the volume occupied by liquid-absorbent fibers 201, or absorbers composed only of SAP, have been thin and flexible, but if the leg gathers (LG) are made too contractile to prevent leakage, the product shrinks vertically, reducing its apparent dimensions and making it difficult to provide a sense of security before use. On the other hand, if the leg gathers (LG) are made less contractile to increase the apparent dimensions before use, the SAP swells and becomes highly rigid after absorbing excrement, reducing fit, causing the absorber to sag and creating a gap between the body and the diaper, which could result in leakage.

[0090] In this regard, the diaper 1 of this embodiment has the following configuration: When the diaper 1 is folded in half at the fold F at the center CL in the longitudinal direction, the bottom area is 150 cm 2 A 5 kg weight is placed on diaper 1 for 24 hours, and then the weight is removed. 40 ml of artificial urine is dropped three times over 5 seconds onto the skin-side surface of diaper 1 in an open and stretched state, at a position 50 mm forward of the longitudinal center CL and at the widthwise center CC (the "drop position Pt" described below), to bring the diaper 1 into an absorbed state where the artificial urine has been absorbed. In this absorbed state, a torsion test is conducted in which the folded diaper 1 is gripped at the vertical (longitudinal) center of both widthwise ends and twisted around an imaginary axis along the width direction, and the folded diaper 1 is gripped at the vertical (longitudinal) center of both widthwise ends and twisted around an imaginary axis along the vertical direction (longitudinal direction). The torque value of diaper 1 is 44.1 mN m or less. Furthermore, the leg gather elastic members 17 are arranged so that the length LA (see FIG. 1) from the top to the bottom in the vertical direction of the diaper 1 in its natural state before absorption is at least 85.3% of the length LB from the top to the bottom in the vertical direction of the diaper 1 at its maximum extension. The state in which the weight is placed and each measurement method will be described later.

[0091] 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 stiffer and more likely to cause discomfort to the wearer. Therefore, by ensuring that the torsion test value of the diaper 1 in the absorbent state is 44.1 mN·m or less, the diaper 1 can be made softer than when the torsion test value is greater than 44.1 mN·m. Even if the contraction of the leg-gathering elastic members 17 around the legs is weak, the contraction force of the leg-gathering elastic members 17 is easily transmitted, preventing the contraction of the leg-gathering elastic members 17 from weakening. This allows the diaper to fit easily around the legs and prevent leakage.

[0092] Specifically, the "length LB from the top to bottom of the diaper 1 in the vertical direction at the maximum stretch" is half the longitudinal length LC of the pants-type diaper 1 in the unfolded and stretched state, as shown in Figure 2 (LB = LC / 2). The higher the ratio of the length LA from the top to bottom of the diaper 1 in the vertical direction in its natural state before absorption to the length LB from the top to bottom of the diaper 1 in the vertical direction at the maximum stretch, the less the diaper 1 shrinks in the vertical direction, and the larger the apparent dimensions of the diaper 1 before use. The lower the ratio of the length LA from the top to bottom of the diaper 1 in the vertical direction in its natural state before absorption to the length LB from the top to bottom of the diaper 1 in the vertical direction at the maximum stretch, the more the diaper 1 shrinks in the vertical direction, and the smaller the apparent dimensions of the diaper 1 before use. Therefore, when the length LA from the top to the bottom in the vertical direction of the diaper 1 in its natural state before absorption is 85.3% or more of the length from the top to the bottom in the vertical direction of the diaper 1 at its maximum extension, the apparent dimensions of the diaper 1 before use can be larger than when this ratio is less than 85.3%. The larger apparent dimensions can reduce anxiety about leakage before use and give the user a sense of security before use.

[0093] 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.

[0094] Here, the weight loaded state, the absorption state, and the torsion test method will be explained. <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.

[0095] 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 absorbent articles can be maintained in a stacked state and do not collapse when stacked. 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 they were left to stand for 24 hours. A torsion test (and thickness measurement, which will be described later) was performed on all diapers 1 using the method described below.

[0096] 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.

[0097] <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.

[0098] 9 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. 9, 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.

[0099] The diaper 1 in this absorbent state is subjected to a torsion test as follows. <<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%.

[0100] (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.

[0101] (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.

[0102] (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).

[0103] (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°.

[0104] (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.

[0105] (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°.

[0106] (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.

[0107] Pants-type absorbent articles (diapers 1) of the present embodiment, including the absorbent core 20 shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, were fabricated and subjected to a torsion test after being placed in the absorbent state described above. The torque value of the diaper 1 of the present embodiment after absorption in an S size was 44.1 mN·m, and the torque value of the diaper 1 of the present embodiment after absorption in an XL size was 38.6 mN·m. As comparative examples, commercially available pants-type diapers for infants, Products A, B, and C (Products A and B have absorbent cores composed of SAP sheets, while Product C has an absorbent core containing liquid-absorbent fibers and SAP), were also subjected to a torsion test. The torque value of Product A after absorption was 46.3 mN·m, that of Product B was 46.5 mN·m, and that of Product C was 62.8 mN·m. These results demonstrate that the diaper 1 of the present embodiment has a lower torque value and higher flexibility than the commercially available comparative diapers (Products A, B, and C).

[0108] A torsion test was also conducted on the diaper 1 before it was placed in an absorbent state, i.e., after placing the weight W on the diaper 1 for 24 hours as described above and then removing the weight W from the diaper 1, before it had absorbed liquid. The result was a torque value of the XL size diaper 1 of the present embodiment before absorption of 21.1 mN·m. The torsion test was also conducted on the above-mentioned comparative products A, B, and C before absorption. The torque value of Product A before absorption was 26.0 mN·m, the torque value of Product B was 30.7 mN·m, and the torque value of Product C was 35.4 mN·m. These results demonstrate that the diaper 1 of the present embodiment exhibits lower torque values and higher flexibility, even in the pre-absorption state, compared to the commercially available comparative diapers (Products A, B, and C).

[0109] Therefore, when the torsion test value of the diaper 1 before absorption is 21.4 mN·m or less, the diaper 1 can be made softer than when the torsion test value is greater than 21.1 mN·m.Since the diaper 1 before absorption is also soft, even if the contraction around the legs due to the leg gather elastic members 17 is weak, the contraction force of the leg gather elastic members 17 is easily transmitted, and the fit before absorption can be maintained.

[0110] 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 2In the diaper 1, a 5 kg weight is placed on the diaper 1 for 24 hours, and then the weight is removed. The thickness of the center (center CC) of the folded portion F in the width direction of the diaper 1 is 6.4 mm or less. Specifically, in the diaper 1, a weight is placed on the diaper 1 in a folded state for 24 hours, and then the weight is removed, the thinner the thickness of the center (center CC) of the folded portion F in the width direction of the diaper 1, the thinner the diaper 1 is before wearing. Details of the thickness measurement method will be described later. The thickness of the folded portion F of the diaper 1 before absorption was measured using the thickness measurement method described later. The thickness of the folded portion F of the diaper 1 before absorption of XXL size diaper 1 of this embodiment was 6.4 mm, the thickness of the folded portion F of the XL size diaper 1 of this embodiment was 5.6 mm, and the thickness of the folded portion F of the S size diaper 1 of this embodiment was 4.7 mm. Therefore, by setting the thickness of the folded portion F of the diaper 1 to 6.4 mm or less before wearing, the diaper 1 can be made thinner than when the thickness of the folded portion F of the diaper 1 before wearing is greater than 6.4 mm. Because the diaper 1 has such a thin shape before wearing, even if the contraction of the leg-gathered elastic members 17 around the legs is weak, the contraction force of the leg-gathered elastic members 17 is easily transmitted, and the contraction of the leg-gathered portions LG is not weakened.

[0111] Furthermore, when the thickness of the folded portion F of the diaper 1 in the absorbent state was measured using the thickness measurement method described below, the thickness of the folded portion F of the diaper 1 after absorption 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 absorber 20 is prevented from expanding and sagging downward, and leakage is prevented by forming gaps around the legs.

[0112] <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 11 is a diagram illustrating the measurement of the folded portion F. As shown in Figure 11, 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.

[0113] In addition, in a measurement test using a test doll to measure the amount of sagging and protrusion of the diaper 1 after absorbing liquid, the vertical length L1 from the urination opening of the test doll to the bottom end of the diaper 1 after absorbing liquid was measured, and the front-to-back length L2 from the urination opening of the test doll to the front end of the diaper 1 after absorbing liquid was measured. When the length L1 is the sagging length and the length L2 is the protrusion length, the value obtained by multiplying the length L1 and the length L2 is 2004 mm. 2 The "measurement test for measuring the amount of sagging and protrusion" is a test for measuring the amount of sagging downward in the up-down direction and the amount of protrusion forward in the front-to-back direction after the diaper 1 has absorbed excrement. Details of this measurement test will be described later.

[0114] The longer the length L1, which is the length of the sagging of the diaper 1, the greater the sagging after absorbing liquid, and the shorter the length L1, the less (smaller) the sagging after absorbing liquid. The longer the length L2, which is the length of the protruding part of the diaper 1, the greater the protruding part after absorbing liquid, and the shorter the length L2, the less (smaller) the protruding part after absorbing liquid. The value (2004 mm) obtained by multiplying such lengths L1 and L2 is 2 ) represents the area, and the larger the area, the more the sagging and protruding amount after absorbing the liquid (larger), and the smaller the area (i.e., the multiplied value is 2004 mm 2 This means that the diaper has less (smaller) sagging and protrusion after absorbing liquid. Therefore, for diaper 1, the product of the length L1 of the diaper after absorbing liquid and the length L2 is 2004 mm. 2 Therefore, the product of the length L1 of the diaper after absorption and the length L2 is 2004 mm. 2 When the thickness is larger than the above, the diaper 1 can be prevented from sagging and popping out after absorbing liquid.

[0115] Therefore, the product of the length L1 of the diaper 1 after absorbing the liquid and the length L2 is 2004 mm. 2 Since the length is as follows, the diaper 1 is less likely to sag and less likely to protrude after absorbing liquid, so that even if the contraction of the leg gather elastic members 17 is weakened to maintain the apparent dimensions of the diaper 1 large, the diaper 1 is less likely to sag after absorbing liquid, and gaps around the legs are suppressed, thereby preventing leakage. Furthermore, because the diaper 1 is less likely to sag and less likely to protrude after absorbing liquid, and the torque value after absorption is low and soft, even if the contraction around the legs due to the leg gather elastic members 17 is weak, the contraction force of the leg gather elastic members 17 is easily transmitted, and the fit is less likely to deteriorate.

[0116] <About the measurement test to measure the amount of sagging and protrusion> Figure 12A shows the test doll DL placed on a horizontal surface Hr, Figure 12B shows the test doll DL wearing a diaper 1, and Figure 12C shows the state of the diaper 1 after absorbing artificial urine. The test doll used for the measurement test was a silicone doll with a standard M-size body type (waist circumference at the navel: 40.0 cm, groin circumference at the legs: 30.0 cm, waist circumference passing through the top of the buttocks: 45.0 cm). (Measurement method) (1) Before putting the diaper 1 on the test doll, the test doll DL is placed on a horizontal plane Hr, and a wall W is prepared in front of the test doll DL, perpendicular to the horizontal plane Hr (see FIG. 12A). As a premise, the direction parallel to the horizontal plane Hr is defined as the front-to-back direction, and the direction parallel to the wall W is defined as the up-to-down direction. A predetermined mark FL is made on the horizontal plane Hr at a position extending downward from the urination opening Hn of the test doll DL in the up-to-down direction. Similarly, a predetermined mark WA is made on the wall W at a position extending forward from the urination opening Hn of the test doll DL in the front-to-back direction. (2) Measure the length Ln in the vertical direction from the mark FL to the urination opening Hn. Similarly, measure the length Lm in the front-to-back direction from the mark WA to the urination opening Hn. (3) As shown in Figure 12B, the diaper 1 is put on the test doll DL. When putting on the diaper 1, the crotch portion of the test doll DL is pulled up so that it comes into contact with the crotch portion of the diaper 1. At this time, the waist portions 30, 40 of the diaper 1 are not only pulled up by holding both widthwise sides thereof, but also by pulling up the front and rear portions thereof together, so that the upper ends of the waist portions 30, 40 (the upper end of the diaper 1) are approximately straight. Note that there is no need to perform any operation to raise the leakage barrier portions LSG when putting on the diaper 1. After putting on the diaper 1, the test doll DL is placed back in the exact same position as when the marks FL and WA were made. (4) With Diaper 1 attached to the test doll DL, 40 ml of artificial urine is discharged from the test doll's urination outlet Hr over 20 seconds. In the same manner, discharge the artificial urine a total of three times (40 ml x 3). The interval between the end of the first urination and the start of the next urination is 5 minutes, and the interval between the end of the second urination and the start of the next urination is also 5 minutes. 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. (5) After the third urination, measure the length Ly in the vertical direction from the mark FL to the bottom end of the diaper 1 worn by the test doll DL. Next, measure the length Lx in the front-to-back direction from the mark WA to the front end of the diaper 1 worn by the test doll DL. The difference (Ln - Ly) between the pre-measured lengths Ln and Ly is defined as "the vertical length L1 (see Figure 13) from the urination opening of the test doll to the bottom end of the diaper 1 after absorbing liquid." The difference (Lm - Lx) between the pre-measured lengths Lm and Lx is defined as "the front-to-back length L2 (see Figure 13) from the urination opening of the test doll to the front end of the diaper 1 after absorbing liquid." (6) The length L1 is the length of hanging down, and the length L2 is the length of protrusion. The length L1 and the length L2 are multiplied to obtain the value (L1 x L2), and this multiplied value is the amount of hanging down and protrusion.

[0117] Figure 13 is a diagram illustrating the results of a measurement test to measure the amount of sagging and protruding. The results of the above-mentioned "measurement test to measure the amount of sagging and protruding" comparing Diaper 1 with Products A and C are as follows (see Figure 13).

[0118] As a result of the measurement test, the sagging length L1 of the diaper 1 was 36.9 mm, and the protruding length L2 was 54.3 mm, and the multiplied value (L1 x L2) was 2003.67 mm. 2 In addition, for product A, the hanging length L1 was 37.0 mm, and the protruding length L2 was 68.2 mm, and the multiplied value (L1 x L2) was 2523.4 mm. 2 Product C has a hanging length L1 of 61.8 mm and a protruding length L2 of 62.4 mm, and the product (L1 x L2) is 3856.32 mm. 2 This shows that sagging and protrusion of Diaper 1 after absorbing liquid were suppressed more than those of Products C and D after absorbing liquid.

[0119] Fig. 14 is a schematic plan view of the diaper 1 as viewed from the front (ventral side). As shown in Fig. 14, when the diaper 1 is in its natural state, the intersection point C1 of a line segment LP connecting the lower ends 2e, 2e of a pair of side joints 2, 2 in the width direction and the leg gather elastic member 17 is defined as the intersection point. The ratio (L5 / L3) of the length L5 of the line segment connecting the intersection point C1 to the lower end C2 of the leg gather elastic member 17 to the vertical length L3 from the lower end 2e of the side joint 2 to the lower end 1e of the diaper 1 is 45% or more. When multiple leg gather elastic members 17 are provided, the measurement is performed on the elastic member 17 positioned on the outermost side in the width direction (in this embodiment, the leg gather elastic member 17f). If the leg gather elastic member 17 is tucked inward when the diaper 1 is removed from the product package, the measurement is performed after the elastic member 17 is brought outward (so that it is visible on the non-skin-facing side).

[0120] The smaller the ratio of length L3 to length L5, the greater the contraction of the leg gather elastic members 17 when the diaper 1 is in its natural state, resulting in a smaller apparent size of the diaper 1. Conversely, the greater the ratio of length L5 to length L3, the less the contraction of the leg gather elastic members 17 when the diaper 1 is in its natural state, resulting in a larger apparent size of the diaper 1. Preventing excessive contraction of the leg gather elastic members 17 reduces the reduction in the apparent size of the diaper 1 before use. This reduces the user's anxiety about leakage before use and provides a sense of security before use.

[0121] Furthermore, the leakage barrier walls LSG, LSG of the diaper 1 of this embodiment are stretchable in the up-down direction and include one or more leakage barrier elastic members 16 (16a, 16b) that erect the leakage barrier walls LSG toward the skin. The extension ratio of each leakage barrier elastic member 16 is greater than the extension ratio of each leg gather elastic member 17. Here, the "extension ratio" refers to the value of "length at maximum extension / length in natural state." Specifically, it refers to the value (LX / LY) that indicates how many times the total length LX of each elastic member in the stretched state is compared with the total length LY of the natural, unloaded state (how many times the elastic member is stretched when fixed to a material). The leakage barrier elastic members 16 are elastic members that erect the leakage barrier walls LSG toward the skin. A high extension ratio of such elastic members has little effect on shortening the absorber 20, whereas a high extension ratio of the leg gather elastic members 17 has a significant effect on shortening the absorber 20. Therefore, by reducing the extension ratio of the leg gather elastic members 17 (by weakening the contraction force), the absorbent body 20 is made less likely to shrink, and the apparent dimensions before use are maintained large.

[0122] The relationship between the magnitudes of the extension ratios of the leakage preventing wall elastic members 16 and the leg gather elastic members 17 mentioned above also means that the force required to extend each leakage preventing wall elastic member 16 by a unit length in the vertical direction from its natural state is greater than the force required to extend each leg gather elastic member 17 by a unit length in the vertical direction from its natural state. Even if the force required to extend the leakage preventing wall elastic members 16 is strong, the effect of contracting the absorbent body 20 is small, but if the force required for the leg gather elastic members 17 is strong, the effect of contracting the absorbent body 20 is large. Therefore, by reducing the force required to extend the leg gather elastic members 17 (i.e., by weakening the contracting force), the absorbent body 20 becomes less likely to contract, and it becomes easier to maintain a large apparent size before use.

[0123] The leg gather elastic members 17 preferably have an elongation ratio of 2.4 or less. The number of leg gather elastic members 17 in the diaper 1 is preferably 1 to 6, and the thickness is preferably 310 dtex to 780 dtex. By reducing the contraction of the leg gather elastic members 17, shrinkage of the diaper 1 in the vertical direction is suppressed, and the apparent dimensions of the diaper 1 before use are maintained large, providing a sense of security to the user.

[0124] Furthermore, the contraction force of the leg gather elastic member 17 is preferably 0.62 N or less. The "contraction force" mentioned above refers to the load applied to the tensile tester when each sample of the leg gather elastic member 17 cut to a predetermined length is pulled in the width direction by a tensile tester to an elongated state (for example, an elongated state of 90% of the maximum elongation), and then the sample is shrunk from that elongated state to a predetermined contraction rate (for example, 70%), i.e., the force (unit: N (sample width L / 4)) that causes the sample to contract and return to its original state.

[0125] Furthermore, in this embodiment, among the multiple leg gather elastic members 17a-17f, the leg gather elastic member 17a located on the innermost side in the width direction is located outside the rising starting point 18ei of the leakage preventing wall portion LSG in the width direction. However, this is not limited thereto, and for example, the leg gather elastic member 17a located on the innermost side in the width direction may be located at the same position in the width direction as the rising starting point 18ei of the leakage preventing wall portion LSG. If the leg gather elastic member 17a located on the innermost side in the width direction were located inside the rising starting point 18ei of the leakage preventing wall portion LSG, the positions at which the stretching force of the leakage preventing wall elastic member 16 and the stretching force of the leg gather elastic member 17 would be close to each other, which could cause the absorbent body 20 to shrink. However, the above configuration reduces shrinkage of the absorbent body 20 (the absorbent main body 10).

[0126] 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 width direction than both longitudinal ends of the skin-side layer 21 and the intermediate layer 22 in the crotch region M (Fig. 2) corresponding to the wearer's crotch. 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. The width of the constricted portions 212, 222 does not necessarily have to be narrower than both longitudinal ends of the skin-side layer 21 and the intermediate layer 22 (absorbent body 20), but only needs to be narrower than the maximum width of one longitudinal end of the skin-side layer 21 and the intermediate layer 22 (absorbent body 20). Because the absorbent body 20 in the crotch region M is narrow, the rigidity of the crotch region M after absorption can be reduced, and the absorbent body 20 can easily fit the leg openings. Therefore, even if urination is performed multiple times, leakage is less likely to occur.

[0127] In addition, when the diaper 1 is worn, in the crotch region M corresponding to the crotch of the wearer, the absorbent body 20 (absorbent core) has a basis weight (i.e., the total basis weight of the liquid absorbent fiber 201 and the SAP: g / m 2 ) is low and has a low basis weight region along the longitudinal direction (vertical direction). Specifically, it is preferable that at least one of the skin side layer (constricting layer) 21, the intermediate layer (constricting 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.

[0128] 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.

[0129] Therefore, the low basis weight regions 211, 221, and 231 allow absorbed excrement to be easily dispersed, improving absorbency. Furthermore, the low basis weight regions 211, 221, and 231 reduce stiffness after absorbing excrement, allowing the diaper 1 to fit the leg openings more easily. Therefore, leakage is less likely even if urination occurs multiple times.

[0130] 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.

[0131] 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.

[0132] 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.

[0133] 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.

[0134] 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.

[0135] 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.

[0136] 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.

[0137] 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.

[0138] 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.

[0139] 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."

[0140] The overlapping area in the longitudinal direction between the portion where the stretching force of the leg gather elastic members 17 arranged in the outer leg gather elastic region ER0 acts and the portion where the stretching force of at least some of the leg gather elastic members 17 arranged in the inner leg gather elastic region ERi does not act is referred to as the "intermittent leg gather portion NP." The leg gather elastic members 17, 17... arranged in the leg gather portion LG of the diaper 1 are all made of the same material and rubber thread of the same diameter. The intermittent leg gather portion NP is located only forward of the longitudinal center position CL of the diaper 1.

[0141] In the leg gather intermittent portion NP of the diaper 1, the force required to longitudinally stretch the inner leg gather elastic region ERi by a unit length from its natural state is preferably smaller than the force required to longitudinally stretch the outer leg gather elastic region ER0 by a unit length from its natural state. In other words, in the leg gather intermittent portion NP, the contractile force of the inner leg gather elastic region ERi is preferably weaker than the contractile force of the outer leg gather elastic region ER0. By weakening the longitudinal contractile force at the inner side in the width direction, i.e., by reducing the contractile force of the leg gather elastic members 17 (inner leg gather elastic region ERi) closer to the absorbent body 20, the absorbent body 20 is less likely to shrink before use, thereby reducing concerns about leakage before use.

[0142] The stretching force (contractile force) of the intermittent leg gather portion NP can be measured by the following method. First, a test specimen is prepared by cutting out the portion to be measured, including the LG elastic member 17, from the diaper 1. Specifically, the absorbent main body 10 is cut from the unfolded and stretched diaper 1. The leg gather elastic region ER of the cut absorbent article 10 is separated. The leg gather elastic region ER is then divided into two equal parts at the midpoint in the width direction, separating it into an inner leg gather elastic region ERi and an outer leg gather elastic region ER0. The region of the intermittent leg gather portion NP is then cut in the longitudinal direction to prepare a test specimen. Then, both longitudinal ends of the test specimen in its natural state are clamped between the chucks of a known tensile testing machine (e.g., an Instron universal testing machine), and the gap between the chucks is adjusted to 100 mm. From this state, the gap is widened at a predetermined speed (100 mm / min) until the specimen is stretched by a predetermined length. For example, the test piece TP is stretched to a length 0.9 times its maximum extension. In other words, the test piece TP is stretched until its longitudinal length is 0.9 times its maximum extension length. The test piece is then contracted to its original length. This cycle is repeated twice, and in the second cycle, the force (N) applied when the test piece is stretched to a length 0.8 times its maximum extension length is measured. This measurement is repeated a predetermined number of times (e.g., three times) to obtain the stretching force (contraction force) of the test piece.

[0143] 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.

[0144] FIG. 15 is a schematic plan view of the absorbent body 20 as viewed 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. By compressing, the fiber density of the absorbent core 21 is increased 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.

[0145] The areas where these dotted compressed portions 50 (compressed portions) are formed have increased rigidity, and increasing the rigidity before use makes the absorbent body 20 less likely to shrink. Reducing shrinkage of the absorbent body 20 prevents the apparent dimensions before use from becoming smaller, reducing anxiety about leakage and providing the wearer with a sense of security. Note that the invention is not limited to providing multiple compressed portions 50 on the skin side layer 21, as long as at least one of the skin side layer 21 and the non-skin side layer 23 has compressed portions 50.

[0146] As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4, the absorbent body 20 has a greater number of laminated layers of materials at both widthwise end portions than at its widthwise central portion. Specifically, the absorbent body 20 has folded-back portions 25f where the skin-side core wrap sheet 25 is folded back to wrap around the absorbent cores 21-24. The number of laminated layers of materials constituting the absorbent body 20 at both widthwise end portions of the absorbent body 20 is greater than that at its widthwise central portion by the amount of the folded-back portions 25f. This increases the rigidity of the absorbent body 20 at its widthwise end portions compared to its widthwise central portion, thereby suppressing shrinkage at the widthwise end portions near the leg gather elastic members 17 located widthwise outboard of the absorbent body 20. Suppressing shrinkage at both widthwise end portions of the absorbent body 20 prevents the apparent dimensions of the diaper 1 from decreasing before use, thereby reducing concerns about leakage before use.

[0147] 4, in the absorbent main body 10, the top sheet 12, which is provided closer to the skin than the absorbent body 20, extends in the width direction beyond the absorbent body 20. In other words, leg gathered portions LG are present on both sides of the absorbent main body 10 in the width direction, and the top sheet 12 extends up to the vicinity of the leg gathered portions LG. The presence of the top sheet 12 up to the vicinity of the leg gathered portions LG increases the rigidity in the vicinity of the leg gathered portions LG, and the stretching force of the leg gathered portions LG transmitted to the absorbent body 20 can be reduced.

[0148] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the adhesive HMA used to bond the top sheet 12. The adhesive HMA is applied to the non-skin-facing surface of the top sheet in the thickness direction to bond the top sheet 12 to the absorbent body 20 and the folded-back portion 14f of the outer sheet 14, and as shown in FIG. 16, the adhesive HMA is applied continuously in the longitudinal direction. The continuous application of the adhesive HMA in the longitudinal direction increases the rigidity in the longitudinal direction, making the absorbent body 20 less susceptible to shrinkage in the longitudinal (vertical) direction. This prevents the apparent dimensions of the diaper 1 from decreasing before use, providing a sense of security to the wearer. Here, the adhesive HMA applied to the non-skin-facing surface of the top sheet 12 is applied from the front end to the rear end of the absorbent body 20 in the longitudinal direction, but this is not limiting. It is sufficient that the adhesive HMA be applied continuously in the longitudinal direction at least in the region Q that overlaps with the portion to which the stretching force of the leg gather elastic members 17 is applied. The adhesive application pattern is not particularly limited, and any application pattern such as an Ω shape, a spiral shape, or a stripe shape can be applied.

[0149] Returning to Figure 4, in this embodiment, when the region from the end 20e of the absorber 20 to the end 10e of the absorbent main body 10 in the width direction is divided into thirds, the innermost region is designated as region GRi, and the leg gather elastic members 17 are not provided in this innermost region GRi. Of the regions obtained by dividing the region from the end 20e of the absorber 20 to the end 10e of the absorbent main body 10 in the width direction into thirds, the innermost region GRi is the region closest to the absorber 20, and by not providing the leg gather elastic members 17 in such a region close to the absorber 20, deformation of the absorber 20 can be suppressed. This makes the absorber 20 less likely to shrink in the vertical direction.

[0150] The absorbent main body 10 also has an outer sheet 14 (corresponding to the non-skin-side sheet) provided on the non-skin-side side of the absorbent body 20 in the thickness direction, and a leak-proof film 13 provided between the absorbent body 20 and the outer sheet 14 (non-skin-side sheet) in the thickness direction (see FIG. 4). The leak-proof film 13 and the leg gather elastic members 17 have overlapping portions in the thickness direction. The overlapping portions of the leak-proof film 13 and the leg gather elastic members 17 in the thickness direction are highly rigid portions, and the presence of such highly rigid portions can reduce the force that contracts the absorbent body 20. This prevents the apparent dimensions of the diaper 1 from becoming smaller before use, thereby reducing concerns about leakage before use.

[0151] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the adhesive HMA that bonds the leakbarrier film 13. The adhesive HMA that bonds the leakbarrier film 13 to the outer sheet 14 is applied to the non-skin-facing surface of the leakbarrier film 13 in the thickness direction, and the adhesive HMA is continuously applied in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) as shown in FIG. 17. The continuous application of the adhesive HMA in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) increases the rigidity in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) and makes the absorbent body 20 less likely to shrink in the vertical (longitudinal) direction. This prevents the apparent dimensions of the diaper 1 from decreasing before use, reduces anxiety about leakage before use, and gives the wearer a sense of security. Note that, although the adhesive HMA applied to the non-skin-facing surface of the leakbarrier film 13 is applied from the front end to the rear end of the absorbent body 20 in the longitudinal direction, this is not limited thereto. It is sufficient that the adhesive HMA be continuously applied in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) at least in the region Q that overlaps with the portion where the stretching force of the leg gather elastic members 17 acts. The adhesive application pattern is not particularly limited, and any application pattern such as an Ω shape, a spiral shape, or a stripe shape can be applied.

[0152] The absorbent main body 10 of the diaper 1 of this embodiment has an exterior sheet 14 that forms the exterior of the absorbent main body 10, located closer to the skin than the leakproof film 13 in the thickness direction and closest to the skin. However, the exterior sheet 14 may be composed of, for example, two or more sheets of nonwoven fabric. Specifically, at least in the crotch region M corresponding to the wearer's crotch, a region in which multiple sheet materials are provided may be located closer to the skin than the leakproof film 13 in the thickness direction. This increases the rigidity of the crotch region M (the central region of the diaper 1) and suppresses shrinkage of the entire product in the vertical direction. This prevents the apparent dimensions from shrinking before use, reduces anxiety about leakage before use, and gives the wearer a sense of security.

[0153] The above-mentioned configuration of "having a portion in the crotch region M where a plurality of sheet materials are provided on the non-skin side in the thickness direction of the leakproof film 13" is not limited to only providing two or more sheets of nonwoven fabric or the like as the outer sheet 14. In this embodiment, the leg gather elastic member 17 is provided between the outer sheet 14 and the folded-back portion 14f in the thickness direction, but for example, at both widthwise end portions of the crotch region M (FIG. 2), another sheet material different from the outer sheet 14 for forming the leg gathered portion LG may be arranged closest to the skin side (i.e., arranged further away from the skin side than the outer sheet 14 arranged on the non-skin side of the leakproof film 13), and the leg gather elastic member 17 may be arranged on the skin side of the another sheet material, and the other sheet material may be folded back at the widthwise end portions to the skin side, thereby forming a configuration in which a plurality of sheet materials are provided on the non-skin side of the leakproof film 13 in the crotch region M. Even when multiple sheet materials are placed on both widthwise ends of the crotch area M rather than across the entire width of the crotch area M, the rigidity of the crotch area M is increased compared to when multiple sheet materials are not placed, and shrinkage of the entire product in the vertical direction is suppressed.

[0154] Furthermore, as described above, when the outer sheet 14 is composed of, for example, two or more layers of nonwoven fabric, if the region in the crotch region M that is closer to the skin in the thickness direction than the leakproof film 13 is defined as the outer region 13out (see FIG. 4), the basis weight of the outer region 13out will be higher than the basis weight of the non-skin-side sheet 31, 41 (sheet material) that is located on the outermost side (closer to the skin) in the thickness direction in the front waistline 30 or the back waistline 40. This increases the rigidity of the crotch region M and suppresses shrinkage of the entire product in the vertical direction. This prevents the apparent dimensions from becoming smaller before use, reduces anxiety about leakage before use, and gives the wearer a sense of security.

[0155] However, as in this embodiment, the outer region 13out, which is the region on the non-skin side in the thickness direction beyond the leak-proof film 13, may be composed only of the exterior sheet 14, and the basis weight of the non-skin side sheets 31, 41 may be higher than the basis weight of the outer region 13out (here, the exterior sheet 14).

[0156] As shown in FIG. 4, a side sheet 15, which is a separate sheet material from the outer sheet 14 (sheet material) that constitutes the leg gathered portion LG, is provided closer to the skin than the leg gathered portion LG in the thickness direction. The side sheet 15 is a sheet material that forms a pair of leakage prevention walls LSG, LSG. The additional sheet material (side sheet 15) overlapping the leg gathered portion LG closer to the skin in the thickness direction increases rigidity and reduces the stretching force of the leg gathered portion LG. This suppresses shrinkage of the absorbent body 20 in the vertical direction (longitudinal direction), making it less likely for the apparent dimensions before use to decrease. Maintaining the apparent dimensions before use reduces concerns about leakage before use.

[0157] 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.

[0158] 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.

[0159] 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."

[0160] 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.

[0161] 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 can reduce swelling in the crotch area M. By reducing swelling in the crotch area M, the rigidity of the crotch area M is prevented from increasing, and it becomes easier to fit the leg openings. Therefore, leakage is less likely even when urination is performed multiple times.

[0162] The skin side layer 21 may have a different type of SAP than the non-skin side layer 23. For example, the SAP of the skin side layer 21 desirably has a slower liquid absorption rate as measured by the vortex method than the SAP of the non-skin side layer 23.

[0163] This allows the excreted liquid to diffuse in the planar direction and migrate to the intermediate layer 22 before it is absorbed by the SAP of the skin-side layer 21. In other words, by not retaining the excreted liquid in the skin-side layer 21 and allowing it to penetrate and diffuse into the layers closer to the skin, the excreted liquid is more easily absorbed uniformly, and swelling in the crotch area M can be reduced. Reducing swelling after absorption prevents an increase in rigidity and maintains a good fit around the legs.

[0164] The liquid absorption rate of SAP by the vortex method can be measured by a known method. For example, 50.0 ml (±0.5 ml) of saline solution with a concentration of 0.900% (±0.009%) and a temperature of 25°C (±2°C) is placed in a 100 ml beaker. The beaker is then placed on a magnetic stirrer and the stir bar is placed inside the beaker. The stir bar is then rotated at 600 rpm (±30 rpm) to ensure that the saline solution in the beaker forms a stable vortex. A stopwatch is then started from the moment 2.00 g (±0.02 g) of the SAP to be measured, taken from Diaper 1, is placed in the beaker. The time from when the vortex disappears and the liquid level becomes horizontal is measured. The longer this time, the slower the liquid absorption rate.

[0165] 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.

[0166] 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.

[0167] 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.

[0168] 2 and 3, the rear waistband portion 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 substantially rectangular shape. The highly rigid portion of the post-treatment tape 48 is provided in the longitudinal direction, thereby reducing shrinkage of the rear waistband portion 40 in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction). This allows the apparent dimensions before use to be maintained large, reducing concerns about leakage.

[0169] ===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.

[0170] Fig. 18 shows a plan view and a cross-sectional view of a modified example of the absorbent main body 10. In the modified example shown in Fig. 18, similar to the above-described embodiment, the absorbent main body 10 has a pair of leakage preventing wall portions LSG, LSG on both sides in the width direction, and the leakage preventing wall portions LSG stretch along the up-down direction (longitudinal direction) and have one or more leakage preventing wall elastic members 16 (16a and 16b) that cause the leakage preventing wall portions LSG to stand up against the skin. In this modified example, the leakage preventing wall portions LSG have a plurality of compressed portions 60 formed so as to compress the leakage preventing wall portions LSG in the thickness direction. As shown in the cross-sectional view of Fig. 18, there are portions where the leg gather portions LG and the compressed portions 60 overlap in the thickness direction. The compressed portions 60 are not limited to being formed by a collection of dot-like (circular) compressed portions, but may be formed in a line, for example, or dot-like or line-like compressed portions may be formed discretely within a predetermined region. The compression portions 60 increase the rigidity of the leg areas and reduce the stretching force of the leg gathers LG, thereby suppressing vertical shrinkage of the absorbent body 20 and reducing the apparent size reduction of the diaper 1 before use, providing a sense of security before use.

[0171] 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, but this is not limited thereto and the longitudinal lengths may be the same. Increasing the length of the non-skinside layer 23 leads to improved absorption performance. Conversely, the longitudinal length of the back side (rear side) of the non-skinside layer 23 may be even shorter than the length in this 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 also away from the wearer's urinary excretion opening, a short longitudinal length of the non-skinside layer 23 is less likely to cause problems with leakage of excreted fluid.

[0172] The absorbent core (skin side layer 21 or non-skin side layer 23) of the absorbent body 20 may be modified as follows. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram showing a modified non-skin side layer 23 (corresponding to a superabsorbent polymer layer). As shown in FIG. 19, 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 area. In the high basis weight region 233, points S of maximum thickness in the thickness direction are located intermittently in the longitudinal and width directions. As a result, the high basis weight regions 233 are located intermittently in the longitudinal and width directions. Furthermore, between adjacent points S of maximum thickness (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 of maximum thickness are located intermittently in the longitudinal and width directions, part of the area between adjacent points S of maximum thickness 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.

[0173] 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.

[0174] 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.

[0175] Furthermore, in the modified example shown in FIG. 19 , 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 maintain its thinness while improving its fit when worn. 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 maintain its thinness while improving its fit when worn. With a diaper 1 having an absorbent body 20 that maintains such a thinness, even if the contraction around the legs due to the leg gather elastic members 17 is weak, the contraction force of the leg gather elastic members 17 is easily transmitted, so the contraction does not weaken and the fit around the legs can be maintained.

[0176] Fig. 20 is a plan view showing a modified example of the diaper 1. In the above-described embodiment, the front waistline portion 30 and the rear waistline portion 40 have the same planar shape in the unfolded and stretched state. However, this is not limiting. As shown in Fig. 20, the front waistline portion 30 and the rear waistline portion 40 may have different planar shapes in the unfolded and stretched state. For example, the front waistline portion 30 may have a rectangular shape that is elongated in the width direction and has a length in the up-down direction that is approximately the same as that of the side joint portion 2, and the rear waistline portion 40 may have a rectangular portion overlapping the front waistline portion 30 and a generally trapezoidal portion 40E extending downward therefrom. The extending portion 40E can cover the wearer's buttocks. With this configuration, the overlap between the absorbent main body 10 and the rear waistline portion 40 is greater at the rear longitudinal side of the diaper 1 compared to the present embodiment, and therefore a larger amount of adhesive is required to bond the absorbent main body 10 and the rear waistline portion 40 together. As a result, the rigidity of the absorbent main body 10 is increased, making the absorber 20 less likely to shrink in the vertical direction and making it easier to maintain the apparent dimensions before use.

[0177] The diaper 1 of the modified example shown in FIG. 21 has a crotch section 70 connecting the front waistline section 30 and the rear waistline section 40, and is provided with an outer casing formed from a single continuous member. Inclined elastic members 71 are provided from the lower ends of the front waistline section 30 and the rear waistline section 40 to the crotch section. The inclined elastic members 71 have portions that slope downward from both widthwise sides of the front waistline section 30 and the rear waistline section 40 toward the center. The "portions that slope downward toward the center" of the inclined elastic members 71 function similarly to the leg gather sections LG of this embodiment (here, the "downwardly sloping portions" are referred to as leg gather sections LG2). In other words, the inclined elastic members 71 also correspond to leg gather elastic members that are arranged along the stretch direction of the leg gather sections LG2 (a direction that slopes relative to the widthwise and longitudinal directions in FIG. 21). Note that the leg gather elastic members 17 arranged on both widthwise sides of the absorbent main body 10 in the above-described embodiment are not present in this modified example. In other words, when worn, the inclined elastic members 71 function similarly to the leg gather elastic members 17, so that the leg gather portions LG2 made of the inclined elastic members 71 fit around the legs and prevent leakage. Therefore, it is preferable that the elongation ratio of the inclined elastic members 71 is also 2.4 times or less. This makes it possible to suppress shrinkage of the absorbent cores 21-24 in the width and length directions.

[0178] The diaper 1 of this modification also has, as lateral elastic members, waist elastic members 33, 43 and an inclined elastic member 71. Not only the waist elastic members 33, 43 but also the inclined elastic member 71 (effective length portion) are cut at least partially in the portion overlapping the absorbent cores 21-24 in the thickness direction, so that no stretching force acts on them. This prevents the absorbent cores 21-24 from shrinking due to the inclined elastic member 71, which would reduce their apparent dimensions before use.

[0179] The elongation ratio of the leg gather portion LG2 formed by the inclined elastic members 71 (see FIG. 21) can also be measured by the same method using the tensile tester described above. In this case, it is preferable to cut out the effective length portions (e.g., the area indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 21) of one or more (here, three) inclined elastic members 71 located below the waist elastic members 33, 43 and outboard of the absorbent main body 10 in the width direction as samples. However, if the sample is short, it may be cut out longer than the above range. The portions of the inclined elastic members 71 where they intersect with the waist elastic members 33, 43 and where they overlap with the absorbent main body 10 are gripped by the chuck of the tensile tester. When measuring the contractile force of the inclined elastic member 71 alone, it is also preferable to cut out the effective length portion of one inclined elastic member 71 located within the above range as a sample. [Explanation of symbols]

[0180] 1. Diapers (pants-type 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, and constriction layer 22 Absorbent core, intermediate layer, and constriction layer 23 Absorbent core, non-skin side layer, extension layer 23a~c divided area 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 40 Back waist 41 Non-skin side sheet 42 Skin side sheet 43 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. The vertical direction, the width direction, and the front-rear direction are perpendicular to each other, A pants-type absorbent article having an absorbent body containing a liquid-absorbent fiber and a superabsorbent polymer, an absorbent body including the absorbent body, The absorbent main body has a pair of leg gather portions on both sides in the width direction, The leg gather portion has a leg gather elastic member that stretches along the up-down direction and is provided on the outer side of the absorbent body in the width direction, On the skin side of the pants-type absorbent article in an unfolded and stretched state, 40 ml of artificial urine was dropped three times over 5 seconds at a position 50 mm forward of the center in the longitudinal direction perpendicular to the width direction and at the center in the width direction, and in an absorbed state after the artificial urine was absorbed, In a torsion test in which the pants-type absorbent article in a state folded in half at the central fold in the longitudinal direction is gripped at the central portions in the up-down direction at both end portions in the width direction and twisted around an imaginary axis along the width direction, and the pants-type absorbent article in a state folded in half is gripped at the central portions in the up-down direction at both end portions in the width direction and twisted around an imaginary axis along the up-down direction, the torque value of the pants-type absorbent article is 44.1 mN m or less, A pants-type absorbent article characterized in that the leg gather elastic members are arranged so that the length from the top to the bottom in the vertical direction of the pants-type absorbent article in its natural state before absorption is 85.3% or more of the length from the top to the bottom in the vertical direction of the pants-type absorbent article when it is fully stretched.

2. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1, A pant-type absorbent article characterized in that in a torsion test in which the pant-type absorbent article in the folded state is gripped at the longitudinal center of both widthwise end portions and twisted around an imaginary axis along the width direction, and the pant-type absorbent article in the folded state is gripped at the widthwise center of both widthwise end portions and twisted around an imaginary axis along the longitudinal direction, the torque value of the pant-type absorbent article before absorption is 21.1 mN·m or less.

3. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, In a measurement test using a test doll to measure the amount of sagging and protrusion of the pants-type absorbent article after absorbing liquid, Measure the length L1 in the up-down direction from the urination opening of the test doll to the lower end of the pants-type absorbent article after absorbing liquid, Measure the length L2 in the front-to-rear direction from the urination opening of the test doll to the front end of the pants-type absorbent article after absorbing liquid, When the length L1 is the hanging length and the length L2 is the protruding length, The value obtained by multiplying the length L1 by the length L2 is 2004 mm. ２ A pants-type absorbent article characterized by the following:

4. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, The front waistband portion and the rear waistband portion are joined by a pair of side joining portions at both sides in the width direction, When an intersection point C1 is defined as an intersection point between a line segment connecting both lower ends of the pair of side joint portions in the width direction and the leg gather elastic member, With respect to the length L3 in the vertical direction from the lower end position of the side joint portion to the lower end position of the pants-type absorbent article, A pants-type absorbent article, wherein a ratio of a length L5 of a line segment connecting the intersection C1 to the lower end position of the leg gather elastic member is 45% or more.

5. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, In the deployed state, The leg gather portion is provided with three or more leg gather elastic members that are stretchable along the longitudinal direction, 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, a leg gather intermittent portion where a portion to which a stretching force of the leg gather elastic member arranged in the outer leg gather elastic region is applied and a portion to which a stretching force of at least a part of the leg gather elastic member arranged in the inner leg gather elastic region is not applied are overlapped in the longitudinal direction, and the leg gather intermittent portion is provided only on the front side of a central position of the pants-type absorbent article, a force required to stretch the inner leg gathered elastic region from its natural state by a unit length in the longitudinal direction in the leg gather intermittent portion is smaller than a force required to stretch the outer leg gathered elastic region from its natural state by a unit length in the longitudinal direction.

6. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, The leg gather elastic members are provided in plurality, The absorbent main body has a pair of leakage prevention wall portions on both sides in the width direction, the leakage preventing wall portion has one or more leakage preventing wall elastic members that expand and contract along the up-down direction and cause the leakage preventing wall portion to stand up toward the skin, A pants-type absorbent article, wherein the elongation ratio of each of the leakage preventing wall elastic members is greater than the elongation ratio of each of the leg gather elastic members.

7. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 5, Among the plurality of leg gather elastic members, the leg gather elastic member provided on the innermost side in the width direction is A pants-type absorbent article characterized in that, in the width direction, the openings are located at the same position as the rising points of the leakage preventing wall portions or outside the rising points.

8. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, The leg gather elastic member is The elongation ratio is 2.4 times or less, The number is between 1 and 6, A pants-type absorbent article having a thickness of 310 dtex or more and 780 dtex or less.

9. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, In the deployed and extended state, A pants-type absorbent article characterized in that the absorbent body has a constricted portion in the crotch region corresponding to the crotch of the wearer, the constricted portion having a width in the width direction that is narrower than the maximum width of one end of the absorbent body in the longitudinal direction.

10. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, The absorbent article is characterized in that the absorbent body has a low basis weight region in the crotch portion corresponding to the crotch of the wearer, the low basis weight region having a lower basis weight than the surrounding area and extending in the vertical direction.

11. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, A pants-type absorbent article, wherein the absorbent body has a plurality of compression portions formed to compress the absorbent body in the thickness direction.

12. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, The absorbent body is a pants-type absorbent article, characterized in that the number of layers of materials at both side edges in the width direction is greater than the number of layers of materials at the center part in the width direction.

13. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, The absorbent main body has a top sheet provided closer to the skin than the absorbent body, The top sheet extends in the width direction beyond the absorbent body.

14. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 13, In a deployed state, the sheet has a thickness direction that intersects with the longitudinal direction and the width direction, A pants-type absorbent article characterized in that, in the longitudinal direction, an adhesive is continuously provided on the non-skin side of the top sheet in the thickness direction, at least in an area overlapping with the portion where the stretching force of the leg gather elastic member acts.

15. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, A pants-type absorbent article characterized in that, in an unfolded and stretched state, the leg gather elastic member is not provided in the innermost region when the region from the end of the absorbent body to the end of the absorbent main body in the width direction is divided into three.

16. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, In a deployed state, the sheet has a thickness direction that intersects with the longitudinal direction and the width direction, The absorbent main body has a non-skin-side sheet provided on the non-skin-side side of the absorbent body in the thickness direction, and a leak-proof film provided between the absorbent body and the non-skin-side sheet in the thickness direction. The pants-type absorbent article is characterized in that the leak-proof film and the leg gather elastic members have overlapping portions when viewed in the thickness direction.

17. 17. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 16, In the vertical direction, at least in the region overlapping with the portion to which the stretching force of the leg gather elastic member is applied, The leak-proof film is adhered by an adhesive that is continuously provided in the vertical direction.

18. 17. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 16, A front waistline portion and a rear waistline portion configured as a separate member from the front waistline portion, the front waistline portion and the rear waistline portion are joined at both sides in the width direction by a pair of side joining portions, A pants-type absorbent article characterized in that, at least in the crotch region corresponding to the crotch of a wearer, a portion in which a plurality of sheet materials are provided on the non-skin side in the thickness direction of the leak-proof film.

19. 17. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 16, A front waistline portion and a rear waistline portion configured as a separate member from the front waistline portion, the front waistline portion and the rear waistline portion are joined at both sides in the width direction by a pair of side joining portions, In the crotch region corresponding to the crotch of the wearer, when the region on the non-skin side in the thickness direction of the leak-proof film is defined as the outer region, The basis weight of the outer region is higher than the basis weight of the sheet material disposed outermost in the thickness direction in the front waistline portion or the rear waistline portion. A pants-type absorbent article characterized by:

20. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, In a deployed state, the sheet has a thickness direction that intersects with the longitudinal direction and the width direction, A pants-type absorbent article characterized in that a sheet material other than the sheet material constituting the leg gathered portions is provided closer to the skin than the leg gathered portions when viewed in the thickness direction.

21. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, The absorbent main body has a pair of leakage prevention wall portions on both sides in the width direction, the leakage preventing wall portion has one or more leakage preventing wall elastic members that expand and contract along the up-down direction and cause the leakage preventing wall portion to stand up toward the skin, the leakage preventing wall portion has a plurality of compressed portions formed so as to compress the leakage preventing wall portion in a thickness direction, A pants-type absorbent article characterized in that, when viewed in the thickness direction of the pants-type absorbent article, there is a portion where the leg gathered portion and the compressed portion overlap.

22. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, In a deployed state, the sheet has a thickness direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the width direction, The absorbent body has a plurality of layers stacked in the thickness direction, one of the plurality of layers is a superabsorbent polymer layer in which the volume occupied by the superabsorbent polymer is larger than the volume occupied by the liquid-absorbent fiber; The superabsorbent polymer layer has a high basis weight region in which the basis weight of the superabsorbent polymer is higher than that of the surrounding area, the high basis weight regions are arranged such that points of maximum thickness in the thickness direction are located intermittently in the longitudinal direction and the width direction, A pants-type absorbent article characterized in that the maximum thickness is 3 mm or less, and the distance between adjacent points of the maximum thickness is 5 times or less the maximum thickness.

23. The pants-type 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, A pants-type absorbent article, wherein the intermediate layer does not contain a nonwoven fabric.

24. 24. The pant-type absorbent article according to claim 23, A pants-type absorbent article, wherein the layer of the absorbent core closest to the skin does not contain water-absorbent resin powder.

25. 24. The pant-type absorbent article according to claim 23, A pants-type 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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