Absorbent article

Abstract

To provide an absorbent article that can fit a surface sheet to intervals of an excretion part and efficiently bring a skin care agent contained in the surface sheet into contact with the gap of the excretion part.SOLUTION: A body of an absorbent article according to an embodiment of the present invention is divided into: an intermediate region including an excretion part-facing region facing an excretion part of a wearer in the longitudinal direction; a front region in front of the intermediate region in the longitudinal direction; and a rear region in the rear of the intermediate region in the longitudinal direction. A front surface sheet includes a skin care agent on the skin-facing surface at least in the intermediate region, and is joined to an absorber. A back surface sheet has a pair of joining regions which are respectively disposed at intervals in the lateral direction at least in the intermediate region and are joined to the absorber, and a non-joining region which is disposed between the pair of joining regions and is not joined to the absorber. A body adhesive part extends in the lateral direction from one to the other of the joining regions through the non-joining region.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins. [Background technology]

[0002] Absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins generally comprise a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent body disposed therebetween, and are worn, for example, by adhering the main body adhesive portion disposed on the non-skin-facing surface of the backsheet to the crotch area of ​​shorts. Because the topsheet comes into contact with the wearer's excretory area, it is desirable for it to be configured to prevent skin troubles caused by stuffiness, etc. From this perspective, Patent Document 1 describes an absorbent article containing a skin care agent at the top of the protruding portion of the topsheet. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-143543 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When the topsheet contains a skin care agent, the skin care effect is exerted by contacting and transferring the skin care agent to the excretory area. However, when the absorbent article is pressed against the non-skin side by the wearer's left and right labia during wear, the entire absorbent article, together with the shorts, is pressed against the non-skin side, making it difficult for the lateral center of the topsheet to enter the gap between the labia in the excretory area. For this reason, there is a demand for an absorbent article in which the topsheet can fit into the gap in the excretory area and the skin care agent contained in the topsheet can efficiently come into contact with the gap in the excretory area.

[0005] The present invention relates to an absorbent article in which the topsheet fits into gaps in the excretory area, allowing the skin care agent contained in the topsheet to efficiently come into contact with the gaps in the excretory area. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An absorbent article according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a main body having a top sheet, a back sheet, an absorbent body arranged between the top sheet and the back sheet, and a main body adhesive portion arranged on the non-skin-facing surface of the back sheet, and has a vertical direction corresponding to the front-to-back direction of the wearer and a horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and corresponding to the left-to-right direction of the wearer. The main body is divided into a middle region including an excretory area facing region facing the wearer's excretory area in the longitudinal direction, a front region in front of the middle region in the longitudinal direction, and a rear region in the rear of the middle region in the longitudinal direction. The topsheet contains a skin care agent on the skin-facing surface at least in the intermediate region and is joined to the absorbent body. The back sheet is a pair of joining regions spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction at least in the intermediate region and joined to the absorbent body; The absorbent body further comprises a non-bonded region disposed between the pair of bonded regions and not bonded to the absorbent body. The bonded region extends in the lateral direction from the boundary with the non-bonded region to the side edge of the absorbent body in the lateral direction. The main body adhesive portion extends in the lateral direction from one of the bonded regions through the non-bonded region to the other of the bonded regions. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the absorbent article of the present invention, the topsheet can be fitted into the gaps in the excretory area, allowing the skin care agent contained in the topsheet to efficiently come into contact with the gaps in the excretory area. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view showing the skin-facing side of an absorbent article according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article taken along line II-II in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view (rear view) showing the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent article. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the effects of the absorbent article, showing the intermediate region and shorts fixed thereto when worn. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view seen from the vertical direction X to explain the effect of the recessed portion of the absorbent article, and is a diagram schematically showing the back sheet (bonding area), the main body adhesive portion (strip-shaped adhesive portion), and the shorts fixed thereto when worn. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of a part of FIG. 3 for explaining the arrangement of the recessed portions. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the skin-facing surface side of the absorbent body of the absorbent article. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a topsheet of the absorbent article. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the topsheet. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view showing a recess of the topsheet. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] [Overall structure of napkins (absorbent articles)] An absorbent article 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention is a pad-like absorbent article for women that is fixed to underwear such as shorts, and is configured as, for example, a sanitary napkin. The absorbent article 1 will be referred to as a napkin 1 below. As shown in FIG. 1 , the napkin 1 comprises a main body M and a pair of wing portions W. The napkin 1 has a longitudinal direction X corresponding to the front-to-back direction of the wearer, and a lateral direction Y corresponding to the left-to-right direction of the wearer and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X. Furthermore, the napkin 1 has a thickness direction Z that is perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction X and the lateral direction Y. The napkin 1 is configured, for example, to be line-symmetric (bilaterally symmetric) with respect to a longitudinal centerline CL that divides the napkin 1 into two equal parts in the lateral direction Y.

[0011] In this specification, "inner side in the lateral direction Y" means the side closer to the longitudinal centerline CL. "outer side in the lateral direction Y" means the side away from the longitudinal centerline CL. In this specification, "front side in the longitudinal direction X" means the front in the longitudinal direction X, i.e., the direction toward the wearer's abdomen. "rear side in the longitudinal direction X" means the rear in the longitudinal direction X, i.e., the direction toward the wearer's back. In this specification, "skin side" means the skin side in the thickness direction Z, i.e., the side that faces the wearer when the napkin 1 is worn. "Non-skin side" means the non-skin side in the thickness direction Z, i.e., the side that faces the clothing side when the napkin 1 is worn. In this specification, "plan view" means a plan view from the thickness direction Z.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the main body M is divided into a front region A, a middle region B, and a rear region C in the longitudinal direction X. In FIG. 1, the middle region B includes an excretory region facing the wearer's excretory region, and is the region between the front and rear base ends of the wing portions W. In this embodiment, the excretory region is the vaginal opening. The front region A is the region located in front of the middle region B (toward the wearer's ventral side). The rear region C is the region located behind the middle region B (toward the wearer's dorsal side). If the napkin 1 does not have wing portions W, the main body M is divided into thirds in the longitudinal direction X, and the central region is defined as the middle region B, and the regions before and after it are defined as the front region A and the rear region C, respectively.

[0013] The wing portions W extend outward in the lateral direction Y from the main body M in the intermediate region B. The wing portions W are folded back onto the non-skin-facing side of the crotch portion of the shorts.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 2, the napkin 1 comprises a main body M, an absorbent body 4, a topsheet 2, and a backsheet 3. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the napkin 1 has a configuration in which the backsheet 3, absorbent body 4, and topsheet 2 are laminated in this order in the thickness direction Z. These components are joined appropriately by, for example, adhesives, compressed grooves, heat sealing, etc., as described below.

[0015] The absorbent body 4 is disposed between the topsheet 2 and the backsheet 3, and absorbs and retains bodily fluids such as menstrual blood from the topsheet 2 side. In this embodiment, the absorbent body 4 has a laminated structure of absorbent sheets 40. The detailed structure of the absorbent body 4 will be described later.

[0016] The topsheet 2 is placed on the skin side of the absorbent body 4 and forms the skin-facing surface 2a. The topsheet 2 is made of a liquid-permeable sheet material and preferably has an uneven structure. Note that another sheet material (such as an intermediate sheet) may be placed between the topsheet 2 and the absorbent body 4. The detailed structure of the topsheet 2 will be described later.

[0017] The backsheet 3 is disposed on the non-skin side of the absorbent body 4 and forms the non-skin-facing surface 3a. From the viewpoint of suppressing leakage of menstrual blood, the backsheet 3 is preferably made of a sheet material that has properties such as low liquid permeability and / or water repellency. Examples of such sheet materials include thermoplastic resin films and laminated sheets of such films and nonwoven fabrics. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of improving wearing comfort, the backsheet 3 is preferably breathable and / or moisture permeable.

[0018] The napkin 1 further comprises a main body adhesive section 7 arranged on the non-skin facing surface 3a of the backsheet 3. The main body adhesive section 7 is configured, for example, as an area coated with an adhesive, and is used to secure the napkin 1 to underwear. In addition to the main body adhesive section 7 arranged on the main body M, the napkin 1 may further comprise wing adhesive sections 8 arranged on the non-skin facing surfaces 3a of the wing sections W.

[0019] In the example shown in Figures 1 and 2, the napkin 1 preferably further comprises a pair of side sheets 5 from the viewpoint of improving the leakproofness of the side portions in the lateral direction Y. The pair of side sheets 5 are arranged on the outer sides of the topsheet 2 in the lateral direction Y. The material of the side sheets 5 is preferably a sheet material that is less hydrophilic than the topsheet 2, and specific examples include nonwoven fabrics, films, and laminated sheets of nonwoven fabrics and films that are less hydrophilic than the topsheet 2. For example, the side sheets 5 are joined to the topsheet 2 at linear joints 51. Furthermore, for example, the side sheets 5 are joined to the backsheet 3 at the peripheral edge of the napkin 1. The joints at the joints 51 and the like are formed by known joining means such as adhesives, heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, etc.

[0020] 1 and 2, the napkin 1 preferably further comprises main body compressed grooves 6 compressed in the thickness direction Z from the topsheet 2. The main body compressed grooves 6 may have any shape, and may consist of one groove or multiple grooves as shown in the example of Fig. 1. The napkin 1 does not necessarily have to comprise any compressed grooves.

[0021] [Surface sheet configuration] As illustrated in Figure 2, the topsheet 2 contains a skin care agent 10 on the skin-facing surface 2a and is joined to the absorbent body 4 in at least the intermediate region B. By joining the topsheet 2 to the absorbent body 4 at least in the intermediate region B, excrement that has passed through the topsheet 2 can be quickly absorbed by the absorbent body 4. The topsheet 2 may be joined to the absorbent body 4 directly or indirectly, and may be joined to the absorbent body 4 via another sheet material such as an intermediate sheet. When the topsheet 2 is joined to the absorbent body 4 via another sheet material, it is sufficient that the joining region between the topsheet 2 and the other sheet material and the joining region between the other sheet material and the absorbent body 4 overlap in a plan view at least in the intermediate region B.

[0022] The means for joining the topsheet 2 and the absorbent body 4 can be an adhesive, or fusion bonding using heat or ultrasound, but from the viewpoint of increasing the degree of freedom in the coating pattern and ensuring flexibility, breathability, liquid permeability, etc. of the joint, an adhesive 11 is preferred, as shown in Figure 2. Hereinafter, the adhesive between the topsheet 2 and the absorbent body 4 will be referred to as "adhesive 11." The adhesive 11 is an adhesive that can be used in absorbent articles, such as a hot melt adhesive.

[0023] The adhesive 11 may be applied to the entire skin-facing surface of the absorbent body 4. Alternatively, the adhesive 11 may be applied intermittently so that coated and uncoated areas are mixed. Examples of the latter intermittent coating pattern include a spiral pattern, a summit pattern, an omega pattern, a curtain pattern, a stripe pattern, a dot pattern, and a dashed line pattern. For convenience, FIG. 2 shows the adhesive 11 as being applied to the entire skin-facing surface of the absorbent body 4, but in reality, it may also include uncoated areas.

[0024] The skin care agent 10 is disposed on at least a portion of the skin-facing surface 2a in the middle region B, and preferably on the entire middle region B. Furthermore, the skin care agent 10 may be disposed not only in the middle region B but also on the skin-facing surface 2a in the front region A and the rear region C. Furthermore, to enhance the skin care effect, the amount of skin care agent 10 per unit area on the skin-facing surface 2a may vary partially. Note that, for convenience, Figures 2 and 4 show an embodiment in which the skin care agent 10 is disposed in a layer on the topsheet 2, but in reality, the skin care agent 10 may be attached to the fibers of the nonwoven fabric constituting the topsheet 2 or incorporated into the fibers.

[0025] The skin care agent 10 used in this embodiment is not particularly limited and can be any agent that has a skin care effect on the wearer's skin. Specific examples will be described later.

[0026] On the other hand, when worn, as shown in Fig. 4, the left and right labia H1 of the wearer's excretory area H press the lateral side portions of the main body M in the lateral direction Y against the skin. This generally tends to press the entire napkin 1, which is fixed to the shorts S by the main body adhesive portion 7 or the like, against the skin. In contrast, in this embodiment, the following configuration makes it easier for the central portion in the lateral direction Y of the topsheet 2 in the middle region B to enter the gap H2 between the labia H1 (the gap in the excretory area H), allowing the skin care agent 10 to come into contact with the gap H2. Specific configurations that can achieve the above-mentioned effects will be described below.

[0027] [Back sheet configuration] As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the backsheet 3 has a pair of bonded regions 31 and a non-bonded region 32. The pair of bonded regions 31 are arranged at least in the middle region B with a gap in the horizontal direction Y, and are bonded to the absorbent body 4. The pair of bonded regions 31 are preferably arranged on either side of the vertical center line CL, and more preferably arranged symmetrically with respect to the vertical center line CL. The non-bonded region 32 is located between the pair of bonded regions 31, and is not bonded to the absorbent body 4. For ease of explanation, the bonded regions 31 are shown as a dotted pattern in Figure 3.

[0028] The bonding region 31 is an area that has been subjected to bonding treatment such as adhesive, heat or ultrasonic fusion, similar to the topsheet 2. From the viewpoint of increasing the degree of freedom in the coating pattern and ensuring flexibility, breathability, etc. of the bonded portion, the bonding region 31 is preferably bonded to the absorbent body 4 with an adhesive 12, as shown in FIG. 2. Hereinafter, the adhesive between the bonding region 31 and the absorbent body 4 will be referred to as "adhesive 12." The adhesive 12 is an adhesive that can be used in absorbent articles, such as a hot melt adhesive.

[0029] The adhesive 12 may be applied to the entire bonding region 31. Alternatively, the adhesive 12 may be applied intermittently so that coated and uncoated areas are mixed. Examples of the latter intermittent application pattern include a spiral pattern, a summit pattern, an omega pattern, a curtain pattern, a stripe pattern, a dot pattern, and a dashed line pattern. When the adhesive 12 is applied intermittently, the bonding region 31 is an area including uncoated areas obtained by surrounding the outer edges of the coated areas of the adhesive 12. Note that, for convenience, FIG. 2 shows the entire bonding region 31 as if coated with the adhesive 12, but in reality, the bonding region 31 may include uncoated areas.

[0030] 3, the bonded region 31 extends in the lateral direction Y from a boundary 33 with the non-bonded region 32 to a side edge 4s in the lateral direction Y of the absorbent body 4. Furthermore, with respect to the longitudinal direction X, the bonded region 31 may be located in at least a part of the middle region B, but preferably extends over the entire longitudinal direction X of the middle region B. Furthermore, the bonded region 31 more preferably extends from the middle region B to the front region A and the rear region C, and more preferably extends over the entire longitudinal direction X of the absorbent body 4, as exemplified in FIG.

[0031] The non-bonded region 32 is a region that has not been subjected to bonding treatment such as adhesive, heat, or ultrasonic fusion. As shown in FIG. 3 , the shape of the non-bonded region 32 in a plan view is, for example, a rectangle elongated in the vertical direction X, but is not limited thereto. For example, the boundary 33 between the non-bonded region 32 and the bonded region 31 may be a parallel straight line along the vertical direction X, a curved line, or a diagonal or meandering line. With respect to the horizontal direction Y, the non-bonded region 32 may be located in the horizontal center of the intermediate region B, but may also be located over the entire horizontal center, or may extend outward beyond the horizontal center. The length of the non-bonded region 32 in the vertical direction X is configured to be equal to the length of the bonded region 31 in the vertical direction X.

[0032] [Adhesive section of the main body] 3, the main body adhesive portion 7 extends in the horizontal direction Y of the intermediate region B from one bonded region 31 through the non-bonded region 32 to the other bonded region 31. The main body adhesive portion 7 only needs to be disposed in at least the region of the intermediate region B where the bonded region 31 and the non-bonded region 32 exist, but is preferably disposed over the entire vertical direction X of the intermediate region B. Furthermore, it is more preferable that the main body adhesive portion 7 extends from the intermediate region B to the front region A and the rear region C.

[0033] In this embodiment, the main body adhesive portion 7 has a plurality of strip-shaped adhesive portions 71 extending along the horizontal direction Y and arranged in the vertical direction X with gaps 72 (see FIG. 6) interposed therebetween. That is, each strip-shaped adhesive portion 71 located in the intermediate region B extends in the horizontal direction Y from one bonded region 31 through the non-bonded region 32 to the other bonded region 31. In other words, the end portions 71a of each strip-shaped adhesive portion 71 in the horizontal direction Y are all located in the bonded region 31. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the strip-shaped adhesive portion 71 is configured in a rectangular shape that is long in the horizontal direction Y.

[0034] [Effects of this embodiment] The effects of the napkin 1 (absorbent article) of this embodiment will be described with reference to the schematic diagram of the middle region B when worn in Fig. 4. Note that when worn, each component may come into contact with each other in the thickness direction Z, but for convenience of explanation, they are depicted as being spaced apart in Fig. 4. In the following description, shorts S refers to the crotch area of ​​shorts.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 4, when worn, the left and right labia H1 of the wearer's excretory area H press the lateral side portions of the intermediate region B in the lateral direction Y against the skin (see arrow F1). As a result, the lateral side portions of the intermediate region B are pressed against the skin (see arrow F2). Here, the backsheet 3 in the intermediate region B is fixed to the shorts S by the main body adhesive portion 7 (strip-shaped adhesive portion 71) from one bonded region 31 through the non-bonded region 32 to the other bonded region 31. As a result, the shorts S are pressed against the skin by the left and right bonded regions 31, and the pressed shorts S also press the non-bonded region 32 against the skin (see arrow F3).

[0036] On the other hand, in this embodiment, because the backsheet 3 has the non-bonded region 32, the central portion of the absorbent body 4 in the lateral direction Y is not fixed to the non-bonded region 32 and can be separated from the non-bonded region 32 in the thickness direction Z. As a result, the central portion of the absorbent body 4 in the lateral direction Y is less likely to be subjected to the pressing force F3 from the backsheet 3 toward the non-skin side. Therefore, the central portion of the absorbent body 4 in the lateral direction Y and the topsheet 2 joined thereto (the region surrounded by the dashed line) can rise toward the skin side relative to the side portions in the lateral direction Y that can move toward the non-skin side due to the pressing force F1 (see arrow F4), and can easily fit into the gap H2 between the left and right labia H1. As a result, the skin care agent 10 contained on the skin-facing surface 2a of the topsheet 2 can easily come into contact with the gap H2, thereby enhancing the skin care effect on the excretory area H.

[0037] [Example of recess configuration] On the other hand, when the wearer makes a movement such as suddenly closing or tightly closing the left and right thighs during exercise, a strong external force is further applied inward in the lateral direction Y to the shorts S and the middle region B of the napkin 1. In this case, there is a concern that the shorts S will bend due to the external force, and the central part of the shorts S in the lateral direction Y and the non-bonded region 32 of the backsheet 3 will be more likely to deform toward the skin. In response to this, in this embodiment, the backsheet 3 is provided with the following recessed portions 34, which can suppress bending of the shorts S.

[0038] Specifically, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 5, the backsheet 3 preferably further has depressions 34 formed on the non-skin-facing surface 3a, which are depressions recessed toward the skin side. The depressions 34 are arranged in the bonding region 31 of the middle region B at positions overlapping with the main adhesive portion 7 in plan view, and extend in the longitudinal direction X. The depressions 34 are not limited to being parallel to the longitudinal direction X, but may be oblique or meandering. Furthermore, it is sufficient that the depressions 34 are arranged at positions overlapping with at least the strip-shaped adhesive portions 71 in plan view.

[0039] Furthermore, the main adhesive portion 7 (strip-shaped adhesive portion 71) on the depression 34 is preferably formed in a concave shape along the depression 34, as exemplified in FIG. 5 . For example, such a configuration can be formed by forming the depression 34 only on the backsheet 3 and then forming the main adhesive portion 7, or by forming depressions in both the backsheet 3 and the main adhesive portion 7. An example of a method for forming the depression 34 only on the backsheet 3 is to form irregularities in the backsheet 3 itself by compression or the like. Alternatively, depressions can be formed in the absorbent body 4 by compression or slitting, and then the absorbent body 4 and the backsheet 3 are laminated or pressed together to form depressions 34 in the backsheet 3 at positions corresponding to the depressions. An example of a method for forming depressions in both the backsheet 3 and the main adhesive portion 7 is to form the main adhesive portion 7 on the backsheet 3 and then form depressions 34 in the backsheet 3 and the main adhesive portion 7 by compression or the like.

[0040] In the above configuration, when worn, the fabric of the shorts S can be inserted into the depressions 34 and fixed therein, as shown in Figure 5. As a result, the fabric of the shorts S is pulled in the lateral direction Y by the amount that it has inserted into the depressions 34, and a moderate tension can be generated in the fabric of the shorts S facing the non-bonded regions 32 outward in the lateral direction Y. Therefore, even when a strong external force is applied from the wearer's thighs, etc., deformation such as bending toward the non-skin side of the shorts S facing the non-bonded regions 32 is suppressed, and accordingly, deformation such as bending toward the non-skin side of the non-bonded regions 32 is suppressed. As a result, even when an external force is applied inward in the lateral direction Y, the central portion of the absorber 4 in the lateral direction Y and the topsheet 2 joined thereto are less likely to deform toward the non-skin side, and the topsheet 2 can fit into the gap in the excretory area.

[0041] Furthermore, by having the depressions 34 extend long in the longitudinal direction X, the fabric of the shorts S is fixed long in the longitudinal direction X, thereby further enhancing the effect of suppressing deformation of the non-bonded regions 32. For example, as shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 6 , when the main adhesive portion 7 has a plurality of strip-shaped adhesive portions 71, the depressions 34 preferably extend continuously in the longitudinal direction X so as to overlap with two or more of the plurality of strip-shaped adhesive portions 71 and at least one gap 72 in a plan view. That is, the depressions 34 may extend continuously through the gaps 72 to the strip-shaped adhesive portions 71 on both sides of the depressions 34 in the longitudinal direction X, or may further extend continuously to the strip-shaped adhesive portions 71 and / or gaps 72 located outside of the strip-shaped adhesive portions 71 in the longitudinal direction X. In this configuration, the ends 34a of the depressions 34 in the longitudinal direction X may be located on the strip-shaped adhesive portions 71, or may be located on the gaps 72 located outside of the strip-shaped adhesive portions 71 in the longitudinal direction X.

[0042] The depressions 34 formed across the multiple strip-shaped adhesive portions 71 can suppress deformation of the shorts S over a wider area in the longitudinal direction X, thereby enhancing the effect of suppressing deformation of the topsheet 2 and absorber 4, which are arranged opposite the non-bonded areas 32, toward the non-skin side. Furthermore, in the above-mentioned configuration, the areas of the shorts S above the strip-shaped adhesive portions 71 are inserted into and fixed in the depressions 34, while the areas of the shorts S above the gaps 72 are not fixed in the depressions 34, creating localized space in the lateral direction Y in the fabric of the shorts S. Therefore, when an external force is applied by the wearer, the fabric of the shorts S above the gaps 72 can stretch in response to the external force, cushioning the external force and stably suppressing deformation of the non-bonded areas 32. As a result, in the above-mentioned configuration, deformation of the central part of the absorber 4 in the lateral direction Y and the topsheet 2 bonded thereto toward the non-skin side is suppressed, and the topsheet 2 can fully exhibit its fit to gaps in the excretory area and its skin care effect.

[0043] Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 3, the backsheet 3 preferably has a plurality of recesses 34. From the viewpoint of effectively suppressing deformation of the non-bonded regions 32 when an external force is applied from the lateral direction Y, it is preferable that a recess 34 is disposed in each of the pair of bonded regions 31. This allows tension to be applied from both the left and right sides to the central portion of the shorts S in the lateral direction Y, further enhancing the effect of suppressing deformation of the non-bonded regions 32 toward the non-skin side. Therefore, the above-mentioned configuration allows the fit and skin care effects of the topsheet 2 to be further enhanced.

[0044] Furthermore, it is more preferable that a plurality of recesses 34 are arranged in each of the bonded regions 31, 31. The number of recesses 34 in each of the bonded regions 31, 31 is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of effectively exerting the effect of suppressing deformation of the non-bonded region 32, it is preferably two or more, more preferably six or more, and from the viewpoint of suppressing a decrease in rigidity of the bonded region 31 due to the recesses 34, it is preferably 30 or less, more preferably 20 or less.

[0045] As a preferred arrangement of the depressions 34, multiple depressions 34 may be arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction X and / or the transverse direction Y. Adjacent depressions 34 in the longitudinal direction X and / or the transverse direction Y may be aligned or offset. As illustrated in FIG. 3, by arranging depressions 34 adjacent in the transverse direction Y with an offset in the longitudinal direction X, tension can be distributed over a wide area of ​​the fabric of the shorts S, suppressing deflection of the fabric of the shorts S due to localized tension and resulting undesirable deformation of the non-bonded regions 32. In the example of FIG. 3, two vertical rows of depressions 34 spaced apart in the transverse direction Y are arranged in each bonded region 31, and the depressions 34 in adjacent rows are offset in the longitudinal direction X.

[0046] [Example of absorber configuration] 2 and 7, in this embodiment, the absorbent core 4 preferably has a high basis weight portion 41 that is disposed in the intermediate region B and has a relatively high basis weight, and a low basis weight portion 42 that is disposed around the high basis weight portion 41 and has a relatively low basis weight. In this case, as exemplified in Fig. 7, the high basis weight portion 41 preferably extends across the entire width of the non-bonded region 32 in the lateral direction Y. Note that "the entire width of the non-bonded region 32" means the entire width of the non-bonded region 32 in the lateral direction Y from one boundary portion 33 to the other boundary portion 33.

[0047] With the above configuration, the high basis weight portion 41, which has a relatively high rigidity, is disposed opposite the non-bonded region 32. Therefore, even when an external force is applied in the lateral direction Y from the wearer's thighs, the high basis weight portion 41 and the topsheet 2 bonded thereto can more easily resist the pressing force against the non-skin side of the backsheet 3, and can maintain a fit to the gap in the excretory area. Furthermore, the high basis weight portion 41 also increases the thickness of the portion facing the gap in the excretory area, thereby improving the fit to the gap.

[0048] Furthermore, from the viewpoint of promoting desirable deformation toward the skin side, the absorbent body 4 preferably has slit portions 43 arranged at least in the high basis weight portion 41 and extending in the longitudinal direction X. In this configuration, the slit portions 43 preferably overlap the non-bonded regions 32 in a plan view.

[0049] The slits 43 are cuts formed in the thickness direction Z of the absorbent body 4. As shown in Fig. 2, the slits 43 preferably penetrate the absorbent body 4. On the other hand, the slits 43 are not formed in the topsheet 2 and the backsheet 3 other than the absorbent body 4.

[0050] The slit portions 43 "extending along the longitudinal direction X" is not limited to extending parallel to the longitudinal direction X, but broadly includes extending linearly in the longitudinal direction X as a whole. The slit portions 43 may be linear, or may be partially bent and / or meandering. The slit portions 43 arranged in the high basis weight portion 41 may at least partially overlap the non-bonded regions 32 in a plan view, but it is more preferable that they completely overlap.

[0051] With the above configuration, when the napkin 1 is subjected to an external force in the lateral direction Y from the wearer's thighs or the like, the slits 43 become the starting point of deformation, facilitating deformation of the high basis weight portion 41 and the topsheet 2 joined thereto. As described above, the absorbent body 4 and the topsheet 2 facing the non-bonded region 32 tend to move away from the non-bonded region 32 and bulge toward the skin when worn. Therefore, the slits 43 can promote deformation of the high basis weight portion 41 and the topsheet 2 joined thereto, such that they fold toward the skin. Therefore, with the above configuration, the topsheet 2 can fit better into gaps in the excretory area, enhancing the skin care effect of the skin care agent.

[0052] From the viewpoint of more effectively achieving the above-mentioned effects, it is preferable that the absorbent body 4 has a plurality of slit sections 43 arranged in the high basis weight section 41. For example, it is preferable that these plurality of slit sections 43 are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction X and / or the transverse direction Y. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the absorbent body 4 has a slit row L made up of a plurality of slit sections 43 arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction X. For example, a plurality of slit rows L are arranged at intervals in the transverse direction Y. It is to be noted that the slit sections 43 may be arranged not only in the high basis weight section 41 but also in the low basis weight section 42.

[0053] The slit portions 43 belonging to each slit row L are preferably aligned along the vertical direction X. Furthermore, the slit portions 43 belonging to adjacent slit rows L in the horizontal direction Y may be aligned or offset in the vertical direction X. In the example shown in Fig. 7, for example, the slit portions 43 belonging to adjacent slit rows L in the horizontal direction Y are arranged offset in the vertical direction X.

[0054] From the viewpoint of forming effective slit portions 43 in the absorbent body 4, the absorbent body 4 preferably has a layered structure including a plurality of absorbent sheets 40 (see FIG. 2). The absorbent sheet 40 is configured, for example, as a sheet material in which a water-absorbent polymer is sandwiched and fixed between two sheet-like fiber layers made of hydrophilic fibers. It is preferable that all of the absorbent sheets 40 constituting the absorbent body 4 contain a water-absorbent polymer, but some of them may contain an absorbent sheet that does not contain a water-absorbent polymer.

[0055] In the absorbent body 4 having the above configuration, the high basis weight portion 41 can be a region where the number of laminated absorbent sheets 40 is greater than that of the low basis weight portion 42. To achieve such a configuration, in this embodiment, the multiple absorbent sheets 40 preferably include one or more main absorbent sheets 40a and one or more central absorbent sheets 40b (see FIG. 2).

[0056] The main absorbent sheet 40a has the same planar shape as the absorbent body 4. The main absorbent sheet 40a may be formed, for example, from a sheet material having the same planar shape as the absorbent body 4 or a laminate thereof, or may be formed by folding a large sheet material into the planar shape. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the main absorbent sheet 40a is formed by stacking multiple sheets (for example, two sheets) of sheet material in the thickness direction Z.

[0057] The central absorbent sheet 40b has the same planar shape as the high basis weight section 41 and is disposed in the formation area of ​​the high basis weight section 41 in a plan view. The central absorbent sheet 40b may be formed, for example, from a sheet material or a laminate thereof having the same outer shape as the high basis weight section 41, or may be formed by folding a large sheet material into the same shape. In this configuration, the number of layers of the high basis weight section 41 can be increased by the amount of the central absorbent sheet 40b. The central absorbent sheet 40b may be disposed between multiple layers of the main absorbent sheet 40a as shown in FIG. 2, or may be disposed on the skin side or non-skin side of the main absorbent sheet 40a.

[0058] In this way, by forming the absorbent body 4 having the high basis weight portion 41 and the low basis weight portion 42 with a laminated structure of absorbent sheets 40, the slit portions 43 can be formed as cuts in the absorbent sheets 40, and the deformation effect of the slit portions 43 can be reliably exerted. Furthermore, this configuration allows the absorbent body 4 to be made thin, making it easier for the absorbent body 4 and the top sheet 2 to enter gaps in the excretory area.

[0059] [Examples of the configuration of recessed areas and high basis weight areas] Furthermore, from the viewpoint of ensuring that the depressions 34 exert their effect of suppressing deformation of the non-bonded regions 32, it is preferable that the positional relationship between the high basis weight portions 41, bonded regions 31, non-bonded regions 32, and depressions 34 be configured as follows. That is, referring to Fig. 3, it is preferable that the side edge 41s in the lateral direction Y of the high basis weight portion 41 is disposed near the non-bonded regions 32 so as to overlap with the bonded regions 31 in a plan view, and that the depressions 34 are disposed in the bonded regions 31 of the intermediate region B so as to overlap with the high basis weight portions 41 in a plan view. Note that "near the non-bonded regions 32" refers to a region within 10 mm outward in the lateral direction Y from the boundary 33 between the bonded regions 31 and the non-bonded regions 32.

[0060] In the above configuration, a portion including the side edge 41s of the high-rigidity high-basis weight portion 41 overlaps the bonded region 31 in a plan view and is arranged near the non-bonded region 32. At least one recess 34 overlaps this high-basis weight portion 41 in a plan view and is arranged near the non-bonded region 32, so that the fabric of the shorts S is firmly fixed to the bonded region 31 near the boundary 33. This makes it possible to more reliably apply tension in the lateral direction Y to the fabric of the shorts S facing the non-bonded region 32, and more reliably prevent the topsheet 2 and absorbent body 4 arranged facing the non-bonded region 32 from deforming toward the non-skin side. Therefore, the high-basis weight portion 41 facing the non-bonded region 32 and the topsheet 2 joined thereto can fit more easily into the gap in the excretory area without deforming toward the non-skin side, further enhancing the skin care effect.

[0061] There may be at least one recessed portion 34 arranged so as to overlap the high basis weight portion 41 and the bonded region 31 in a plan view, but from the viewpoint of applying tension to the shorts S more stably from the left and right of the non-bonded region 32, it is preferable that one recessed portion 34 is arranged in each of a pair of bonded regions 31. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of applying tension to the shorts S more reliably from the left and right of the non-bonded region 32, it is more preferable that a plurality of recessed portions 34 having the above configuration are arranged in each bonded region 31.

[0062] [Example of surface sheet configuration] As illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, the topsheet 2 preferably has a plurality of convex portions 21 protruding toward the skin side and a plurality of concave portions 22 protruding toward the non-skin side. In the configuration shown in Figures 8 and 9, the convex portions viewed from the skin-facing surface 2a are convex portions 21, and the concave portions are concave portions 22. Conversely, the convex portions viewed from the non-skin-facing surface are concave portions 22, and the concave portions are convex portions 21. Therefore, the convex portions 21 and the concave portions 22 share a portion in common.

[0063] For example, the protrusions 21 include a top 21a located on the skin side and a wall 21b that annularly surrounds the top 21a. The recesses 22 include a bottom 22a located on the non-skin side and a wall 22b that annularly surrounds the bottom 22a. In the protrusions 21, the top 21a is the part closest to the skin when the topsheet 2 is divided into three equal parts in the thickness direction Z when viewed from the side and without applying a load, as shown in Figure 9. Similarly, in the recesses 22, the bottom 22a is the part closest to the skin when the topsheet 2 is divided into three equal parts in the thickness direction Z when viewed from the side and without applying a load, as shown in Figure 9.

[0064] The protruding shapes of the convex portions 21 and the concave portions 22 in the thickness direction Z are not particularly limited, and may be cones or truncated cones with rounded apexes as shown in the figure, as well as pyramids, truncated pyramids, oblique cones, etc. Furthermore, the "annular" shape of the wall portions 21b, 22b is not particularly limited as long as it forms an endless continuous shape in a plan view of the topsheet 2, and may be any shape such as a circle, an ellipse, a rectangle, a polygon, etc. In addition, the wall portions 21b of the convex portions 21 and the wall portions 22b of the concave portions 22 share a portion in common.

[0065] 1, 2 and 9, in the above configuration, the multiple protrusions 21 preferably contain the skin care agent 10 and are arranged so as to overlap the non-bonded region 32 in a plan view. That is, the region where the protrusions 21 are formed may be arranged so as to overlap at least a part of the non-bonded region 32, but it is preferable that the region where the protrusions 21 are formed overlap the entire non-bonded region 32. Furthermore, it is more preferable that the region where the protrusions 21 are formed be arranged over the entire skin-facing surface 2a of the topsheet 2 exposed from the side sheet 5, as exemplified in FIG.

[0066] 9, the skin care agent 10 may be contained in at least a portion of the protrusions 21, and is preferably contained in the peaks 21a in particular. In FIG. 9, the black portions indicate the skin care agent 10 contained in the topsheet 2, and the shade of black schematically indicates the amount of the skin care agent 10 per unit area. The skin care agent 10 is not shown in FIG. 8.

[0067] By including the skin care agent 10 in the protrusions 21 and arranging them so as to overlap the non-bonding regions 32 in a plan view, the skin care agent 10 can more easily come into contact with the gaps in the excretory area, thereby enhancing the skin care effect.

[0068] As illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, it is preferable that an internal space P be formed on the non-skin side of the protrusions 21 in the top sheet 2. That is, the internal space P is a space surrounded by the wall portions 21b and the apexes 21a of the protrusions 21. This configuration can increase the deformability of the protrusions 21, improving their fit to gaps in the excretory area. More specifically, when an external force is applied inward in the lateral direction Y from the wearer's thighs, for example, the internal space P allows the protrusions 21 to deform so as to be crushed in the lateral direction Y, making it easier for them to fit into narrow gaps in the excretory area. Furthermore, the high deformability of the protrusions 21 allows the top sheet 2 to deform in accordance with the size of the wearer's labia and the size of the gap, thereby increasing the area with which the skin care agent 10 comes into contact.

[0069] In plan view, the protrusions 21 and recesses 22 are preferably arranged alternately and continuously along two mutually intersecting directions. Here, the two directions preferably intersect at an angle of 30 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less in the XY plane. For example, in the napkin 1, one of the two directions is the horizontal direction Y, and the other is the vertical direction X. That is, in the illustrated example, the protrusions 21 and recesses 22 are arranged alternately and continuously along the vertical direction X and the horizontal direction Y.

[0070] The topsheet 2 is preferably made of a nonwoven fabric from the viewpoint of ensuring liquid permeability while forming the convex portions 21 and concave portions 22 configured as described above. The nonwoven fabric may be made entirely of a single type of fiber having the same fineness, or may be made of multiple types of fiber having different finenesses. Furthermore, the nonwoven fabric is preferably made of heat-fusible fibers, since they can be easily shaped into a desired shape by heat. Examples of thermoplastic resins that make up heat-fusible fibers include polyolefin resins such as polypropylene and polyethylene, polyester resins, polyamide resins such as nylon 6 and nylon 66, and polyacrylonitrile resins. Furthermore, the heat-fusible fibers may be fibers made of a single type of resin, or composite fibers made of two or more of these resins (e.g., core-sheath fibers, side-by-side fibers, etc.).

[0071] When the topsheet 2 is made of a nonwoven fabric, it is preferable to appropriately set the fiber density and inter-fiber distance within the topsheet 2 according to the arrangement of the convex portions 21 and concave portions 22, from the viewpoint of constructing a topsheet 2 with high deformability and cushioning properties. For example, as shown in the plan view of FIG. 10 viewed from the thickness direction Z, the concave portions 22 preferably have a fiber portion 22c made of fibers and void portions 22d arranged between the fiber portions 22c and composed of voids. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the concave portions 22 have a plurality of void portions 22d partitioned by the fiber portions 22c. The void portions 22d are preferably formed in the bottom portions 22a of the concave portions 22. In the above configuration, the topsheet 2 is joined to the absorbent core 4 at the fiber portion 22c.

[0072] In the above configuration, the recesses 22 have a larger inter-fiber distance than the protrusions 21 because they contain voids 22d. This reduces the fiber density of the recesses 22 containing the voids 22d, making the recesses 22 more susceptible to deformation. This promotes deformation of the topsheet 2, contributing to improved fit of the topsheet 2 to gaps in the excretory area and improved skin care agent efficacy. In this specification, the inter-fiber distance refers to the average inter-fiber distance measured by the method described below. Specifically, the inter-fiber distance in the voids 22d is preferably 200 μm or more, more preferably 500 μm or more, and preferably 2000 μm or less, more preferably 1000 μm or less. Furthermore, the ratio of the inter-fiber distance at the bottoms 22a of the recesses 22 to the inter-fiber distance at the tops 21a of the protrusions 21 is preferably 5.0 or more, more preferably 13 or more, and preferably 50 or less, more preferably 25 or less.

[0073] The method for measuring the inter-fiber distance will be explained. The inter-fiber distance of a nonwoven fabric can be calculated using the following formula (1) based on Wrotonowski's assumption. The following formula (1) is generally used to calculate the inter-fiber distance of a fiber assembly. Under Wrotonowski's assumption, the fibers are cylindrical and are arranged regularly without crossing each other. In the calculation, the thickness t, basis weight W, fiber resin density ρ, and fiber diameter D used in the following formula (1) each use values ​​for each measurement object. The thickness t, basis weight W, and fiber diameter D are each the average values ​​of measurements taken at multiple measurement points. The thickness t can be the value of the layer thickness TL, which will be described later.

number

[0074] The fiber diameter D is measured as follows: The measurement target (concave and convex portions) of the topsheet 2 is cut with a razor (e.g., a single-edged razor manufactured by Feather Safety Razor Co., Ltd.) to obtain a measurement piece having a rectangular shape (8 mm x 4 mm) in plan view. When cutting the measurement target, care must be taken to ensure that the structure of the cut surface of the measurement piece formed by the cutting is not destroyed by pressure during cutting. A preferred method for cutting the measurement target is to place the measurement target in liquid nitrogen to thoroughly freeze it before cutting. The measurement piece is attached to a sample stage using double-sided paper tape (Nichiban Co., Ltd., Uchistack NW-15). The measurement piece is then platinum-coated. For the coating, an ion sputtering device E-1030 (product name) manufactured by Hitachi Naka Seiki Co., Ltd. is used, and the sputtering time is 30 seconds. The cut surface of the measurement piece is observed at 1000x magnification using a Hitachi, Ltd., S-4000 field emission scanning electron microscope. For each fiber present in each test piece, the length of 10 fibers in the width direction relative to the longitudinal direction of the fiber is measured, and the average value is taken as the fiber diameter.

[0075] The arrangement of the protrusions 21 and recesses 22 on the topsheet 2 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, the following arrangements: The distance between the apex 21a of the protrusion 21 and the bottom 22a of the recess 22 that are closest to each other when the topsheet 2 is viewed in a plan view is preferably 1 mm or more, more preferably 3 mm or more, and preferably 15 mm or less, more preferably 10 mm or less. The distance between the apex 21a of adjacent protrusions 21 in the horizontal direction Y on the topsheet 2 is preferably 2 mm or more, more preferably 3 mm or more, and preferably 30 mm or less, more preferably 15 mm or less. The distance between the apex 21a of adjacent protrusions 21 in the vertical direction X on the topsheet 2 is preferably 2 mm or more, more preferably 3 mm or more, and preferably 30 mm or less, more preferably 15 mm or less.

[0076] The basis weight of the topsheet 2 may be selected appropriately depending on the application. When used as a topsheet for absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, the average weight of the entire sheet is preferably 15 g / m 2 More preferably, 20 g / m 2or more, and preferably 50 g / m 2 Less than 40 g / m 2 The following is the result.

[0077] Regarding the thickness of the topsheet 2, the overall thickness of the topsheet 2 when viewed from the side as shown in Figure 9 is referred to as the sheet thickness TS, and the local thickness of the unevenly curved topsheet 2 is referred to as the layer thickness TL. The sheet thickness TS is preferably 0.5 mm or more, more preferably 0.75 mm or more, and is preferably 2.5 mm or less, more preferably 1.5 mm or less. By keeping the sheet thickness within this range, the body fluid absorption rate during use is fast, fluid return from the absorbent core 4 is suppressed, and appropriate cushioning can be achieved while maintaining the product's thinness.

[0078] The layer thickness TL may vary in each region of the topsheet 2, and preferably decreases in the following order: layer thickness TL at the tops 21a of the protrusions 21 > layer thickness TL at the walls 21b of the protrusions 21 (walls 22b of the recesses 22) > layer thickness TL at the bottoms 22a of the recesses 22. This allows the fiber density of the tops 21a of the protrusions 21 to be kept low, achieving a soft, comfortable feel against the skin. On the other hand, the fiber density of the walls 21b of the protrusions 21 (walls 22b of the recesses 22) can be increased, achieving good cushioning without losing its shape.

[0079] The sheet thickness TS and layer thickness TL are measured using the following method. The sheet thickness TS is measured using a thickness gauge with a load of 0.05 kPa applied to the top sheet 2. A laser displacement meter manufactured by Omron Corporation is used as the thickness gauge. Thickness is measured at 10 points within the measurement area, and the average value is calculated to determine the thickness. The layer thickness TL is measured by cutting the top sheet 2 along the thickness direction using a Feather razor (product number FAS-10, manufactured by Feather Safety Razor Co., Ltd.). The cross section of the cut sheet is then magnified approximately 20 times using a Keyence Corporation VHX-900 digital microscope, and the thickness of each measurement area is measured.

[0080] [Examples of skin care products]

[0081] The skin care agent used in the present invention preferably contains one or more ceramides, for example, because it has a skin barrier function repairing effect. As the ceramides, those generally used in the field of cosmetics and the like can be used, and examples thereof include those represented by general formula (I) described in WO 2022 / 034915.

[0082] [ka]

[0083] [In formula (I), R 11 represents a linear, branched or cyclic saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group having 4 to 30 carbon atoms, which may be substituted with a hydroxyl group, a carbonyl group or an amino group, or a hydrogen atom; Z represents a methylene group, a methine group, or an oxygen atom; X 11 , X 12 and X 13 each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, or an acetoxy group, X 14 represents a hydrogen atom, an acetyl group, or a glyceryl group, or forms an oxo group together with the adjacent oxygen atom (provided that when Z is a methine group, X 11 and X 12 One of the X's is a hydrogen atom, and the other is absent. 14 When forms an oxo group, X 13 does not exist. ); R 12 and R 13 each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a hydroxyalkyl group (e.g., a hydroxymethyl group, a hydroxyethyl group, etc.), or an acetoxymethyl group; R 14represents a linear, branched or cyclic saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group having 5 to 60 carbon atoms, which may be substituted with a hydroxyl group, a carbonyl group or an amino group and which may have an ether bond, an ester bond or an amide bond in the main chain; R 15 represents a hydrogen atom or a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group having a total of 1 to 30 carbon atoms, which may have a substituent selected from a hydroxyl group, a hydroxyalkoxy group, an alkoxy group, and an acetoxy group (R 11 When is a hydrogen atom and Z is an oxygen atom, R 15 is preferably a hydrocarbon group having a total of 10 to 30 carbon atoms which may have a substituent selected from a hydroxyl group, a hydroxyalkoxy group, an alkoxy group, and an acetoxy group, and R 11 When is a hydrocarbon group, R 15 represents a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group having a total of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, which may have a substituent selected from a hydroxyl group, a hydroxyalkoxy group, an alkoxy group, and an acetoxy group; The broken line indicates that the bond may be an unsaturated bond.]

[0084] In formula (I), R 11 The "linear, branched or cyclic saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group having 4 to 30 carbon atoms which may be substituted with a hydroxyl group, a carbonyl group or an amino group" represented by the formula (I) is preferably a linear, branched or cyclic saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group having 7 to 22 carbon atoms which may be substituted with a hydroxyl group. Z represents a methylene group, a methine group or an oxygen atom.

[0085] X 11 , X 12 and X 13 Each of X independently represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, or an acetoxy group. 11 , X 12 and X 13 As a combination of 11 , X 12 and X 13 When Z is a methine group, a combination of X11 and X 12 Only one of the two is a hydrogen atom, and the other is not present. 14 is preferably a hydrogen atom or a glyceryl group. 12 and R 13 each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a hydroxyalkyl group (e.g., a hydroxymethyl group, a hydroxyethyl group, etc.), or an acetoxymethyl group, and preferred R 12 is a hydrogen atom or a hydroxymethyl group, and preferred R 13 is a hydrogen atom. 14 R represents a linear, branched or cyclic saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group having 5 to 60 carbon atoms, which may be substituted with a hydroxyl group, a carbonyl group or an amino group, and which may have an ether bond, an ester bond or an amide bond in the main chain. 14 Examples of the fatty acid include a linear, branched, or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group having 5 to 35 carbon atoms which may be substituted with a hydroxyl group or an amino group, or a hydrocarbon group to which a linear, branched, or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated fatty acid having 8 to 22 carbon atoms which may be substituted with a hydroxyl group is linked via an ester bond or an amide bond to the ω-position of the hydrocarbon group. The linked fatty acid is preferably isostearic acid, 12-hydroxystearic acid, or linoleic acid.

[0086] R 15 R represents a hydrogen atom or a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group having a total of 1 to 30 carbon atoms, which may have a substituent selected from a hydroxyl group, a hydroxyalkoxy group, an alkoxy group, and an acetoxy group. 11 When is a hydrogen atom and Z is an oxygen atom, R 15 is preferably a hydrocarbon group having a total of 10 to 30 carbon atoms which may have a substituent selected from a hydroxyl group, a hydroxyalkoxy group, an alkoxy group, and an acetoxy group. 11 When is a hydrocarbon group, R 15represents preferably a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group having a total of 1 to 8 carbon atoms which may have a substituent selected from a hydroxyl group, a hydroxyalkoxy group, an alkoxy group, and an acetoxy group, more preferably a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group having a total of 1 to 8 carbon atoms which may have a substituent selected from a hydroxyl group, a hydroxyalkoxy group, and an alkoxy group. Here, the hydroxyalkoxy group and alkoxy group preferably have a carbon number of 1 to 7.

[0087] For example, preferred ceramides include naturally occurring ceramides represented by the following general formula (II) or synthetic products having the same structure and derivatives thereof (hereinafter also referred to as natural ceramides), or pseudo-type ceramides represented by the following general formula (III) (hereinafter also referred to as pseudo-type ceramides).

[0088] [ka]

[0089] [In formula (II), R 21 represents a linear, branched or cyclic saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group having 7 to 19 carbon atoms which may be substituted with a hydroxyl group; Z1 represents a methylene group or a methine group; X 15 , X 16 , and X 17 each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, or an acetoxy group; X 18 represents a hydrogen atom or forms an oxo group together with the adjacent oxygen atom (provided that when Z1 is a methine group, X 15 and X 16 One of the X's is a hydrogen atom, and the other is absent. 18 When forms an oxo group, X 17 does not exist. ); R 22 represents a hydroxyalkyl group (e.g., a hydroxymethyl group, a hydroxyethyl group, etc.) or an acetoxymethyl group; R 23represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R 24 represents a linear, branched or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group (the hydrocarbon group is preferably an alkyl group) having 5 to 30 carbon atoms which may be substituted with a hydroxyl group, or a hydrocarbon group (the hydrocarbon group is preferably an alkyl group) to which a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated fatty acid having 8 to 22 carbon atoms which may be substituted with a hydroxyl group is ester-bonded to the ω-terminus of the hydrocarbon group (the hydrocarbon group is preferably an alkyl group); The broken line indicates that the bond may be an unsaturated bond.]

[0090] [ka]

[0091] [In formula (III), R 25 represents a linear, branched or cyclic saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group having 10 to 22 carbon atoms which may be substituted with a hydroxyl group, or a hydrogen atom; X 19 represents a hydrogen atom, an acetyl group, or a glyceryl group; R 26 represents a linear, branched or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group (the hydrocarbon group is preferably an alkyl group) having 5 to 22 carbon atoms which may be substituted with a hydroxyl group or an amino group, or a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated fatty acid having 8 to 22 carbon atoms which may be substituted with a hydroxyl group which is ester-bonded to the ω-terminus of the hydrocarbon group (the hydrocarbon group is preferably an alkyl group); R 27 represents a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group having a total of 1 to 30 carbon atoms (the hydrocarbon group is preferably an alkyl group) which may be substituted with a hydroxyl group, a hydroxyalkoxy group, an alkoxy group, or an acetoxy group.

[0092] Here, natural ceramides represented by general formula (II) will be described. In formula (II), R 21The number of carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon group represented by R is 7 to 19, preferably 11 to 15, and more preferably 13 to 15. 21 The hydrocarbon group represented by X is preferably a linear alkyl group. 18 represents a hydrogen atom or forms an oxo group together with the adjacent oxygen atom. 24 R is preferably a linear alkyl group having 9 to 27 carbon atoms which may be substituted with a hydroxyl group, or a group in which linoleic acid is ester-bonded to the ω-terminus of the alkyl group. 24 As the alkyl group, a tricosyl group, a 1-hydroxypentadecyl group, a 1-hydroxytricosyl group, a heptadecyl group, a 1-hydroxyundecyl group, a nonacosyl group in which linoleic acid is ester-bonded at the ω-position, and a pentacosyl group are more preferred.

[0093] Specific examples of natural ceramides include ceramides Types 1 to 7, in which sphingosine, dihydrosphingosine, phytosphingosine, or sphingadienine is amidated (e.g., porcine and human ceramides shown in Figure 2 of J. Lipid Res., 24:759 (1983) and Figure 4 of J. Lipid. Res., 35:2069 (1994)). Furthermore, N-alkylated forms (e.g., N-methylated forms) of these ceramides are also included in natural ceramides. These ceramides may be optically active natural (D(-) form), optically active non-natural (L(+) form), or a mixture of natural and non-natural forms. The relative configuration of the compounds may be the natural configuration, other non-natural configurations, or a mixture thereof. Specific examples include ceramide EOP, ceramide AP (hydroxystearyl phytosphingosine), ceramide NP (N-stearoyl phytosphingosine), etc. Commercially available natural ceramides include, for example, Ceramide I as ceramide EOP, Ceramide III, Ceramide IIIB, and Ceramide VI MB as ceramide NP (all manufactured by EVONIK), Liquid Crystal Ceramide 2 and Liquid Crystal Ceramide 25 (all manufactured by Takasago Aromas Co., Ltd.), Ceramide 2 (manufactured by Sederma), and DS-CERAMIDE Y3S, DS-CERAMIDE Y3O, and DS-HydroCeramide 50S as ceramide NP (all manufactured by DOOSAN).

[0094] Next, pseudo-ceramides represented by general formula (III) will be described. In formula (III), R 26 Preferred examples of R include a heptyl group, a 1-hydroxyheptyl group, a nonyl group, a tridecyl group, a pentadecyl group, an undecyl group having linoleic acid bonded to the ω-position by ester bonding, a pentadecyl group having linoleic acid bonded to the ω-position by ester bonding, a pentadecyl group having 12-hydroxystearic acid bonded to the ω-position by ester bonding, and an undecyl group having methyl-branched isostearic acid bonded to the ω-position by amide bonding. 25 If is a hydrogen atom, R27 R is preferably a hydrocarbon group having a total of 1 to 30 carbon atoms (the hydrocarbon group is preferably an alkyl group) which may be substituted with a hydroxyl group, a hydroxyalkoxy group, an alkoxy group, or an acetoxy group, more preferably a hydrocarbon group having a total of 10 to 30 carbon atoms (the hydrocarbon group is preferably an alkyl group) which may be substituted with a hydroxyl group, a hydroxyalkoxy group, an alkoxy group, or an acetoxy group, and particularly preferably an alkyl group having a total of 12 to 20 carbon atoms. 25 is a linear, branched or cyclic saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group having 10 to 22 carbon atoms which may be substituted with a hydroxyl group, R 27 is preferably a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having a total of 1 to 8 carbon atoms which may be substituted with a hydroxyl group, a hydroxyalkoxy group, an alkoxy group or an acetoxy group. 27 The hydroxyalkoxy group or alkoxy group in the formula (I) is preferably one having 1 to 7 carbon atoms.

[0095] Next, the pseudo-ceramides represented by the general formula (III) will be explained. In formula (III), R 26 Preferred examples thereof include a heptyl group, a 1-hydroxyheptyl group, a nonyl group, a tridecyl group, a pentadecyl group, an undecyl group having linoleic acid ester-bonded at the ω-position, a pentadecyl group having linoleic acid ester-bonded at the ω-position, a pentadecyl group having 12-hydroxystearic acid ester-bonded at the ω-position, and an undecyl group having methyl-branched isostearic acid amide-bonded at the ω-position. Also, R 25 If is a hydrogen atom, R 27 As the alkyl group, a hydrocarbon group having a total of 1 to 30 carbon atoms (the hydrocarbon group is preferably an alkyl group) which may be substituted with a hydroxyl group, a hydroxyalkoxy group, an alkoxy group, or an acetoxy group is preferred, a hydrocarbon group having a total of 10 to 30 carbon atoms (the hydrocarbon group is preferably an alkyl group) which may be substituted with a hydroxyl group, a hydroxyalkoxy group, an alkoxy group, or an acetoxy group is more preferred, and an alkyl group having a total of 12 to 20 carbon atoms is particularly preferred. R 25is a linear, branched or cyclic saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group having 10 to 22 carbon atoms which may be substituted with a hydroxyl group, R 27 is preferably a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having a total of 1 to 8 carbon atoms which may be substituted with a hydroxyl group, a hydroxyalkoxy group, an alkoxy group or an acetoxy group. R 27 The hydroxyalkoxy group or alkoxy group in the formula (I) is preferably one having 1 to 7 carbon atoms. Among pseudo-ceramides, R in general formula (III) 25 is a hexadecyl group, X19 is a hydrogen atom, R 26 is a pentadecyl group, R 27 is a hydroxyethyl group; R in general formula (III) 25 is a hexadecyl group, X19 is a hydrogen atom, R 26 is a nonyl group, R 27 is a hydroxyethyl group; R in general formula (III) 25 is a hexadecyl group, X19 is a glyceryl group, R 26 is a tridecyl group, R 27 is a 3-methoxypropyl group; R in general formula (III) 25 is a hydrogen atom, X19 is a hydrogen atom, R 26 is a pentadecyl group, R 27 is a dodecyl group; R in general formula (III) 25 is a hydrogen atom, X19 is a hydrogen atom, R 26 is a 1-hydroxyheptyl group, R 27 Preferably, the alkyl group is a dodecyl group. R in general formula (III) 25 is a hexadecyl group, X19 is a hydrogen atom, R 26 is a pentadecyl group, R 27 is a hydroxyethyl group; R in general formula (III) 25 is a hexadecyl group, X19 is a hydrogen atom, R 26 is a nonyl group, R 27 is a hydroxyethyl group; R in general formula (III) 25 is a hexadecyl group, X19 is a glyceryl group, R 26 is a tridecyl group, R 27is more preferably a 3-methoxypropyl group, R in general formula (III) 25 is a hexadecyl group, X19 is a hydrogen atom, R 26 is a pentadecyl group, R 27 In particular, those in which the hydroxyl group is N-(hexadecyloxyhydroxypropyl)-N-hydroxyethylhexadecanamide are preferred. The structural formulas of particularly preferred pseudo-type ceramides represented by general formula (III) are shown below.

[0096] [ka]

[0097] [ka]

[0098] Another example of the skin care agent that can be used in the present invention is the diamide derivative represented by the following formula (IV) described in Patent Document 1.

[0099] [ka]

[0100] The diamide derivative represented by general formula (IV) is the diamide derivative of the invention described in International Publication WO00 / 61097, and has the medicinal effect of improving the moisture retention ability and barrier function of the stratum corneum. When the diamide derivative held in the protrusions 21 comes into contact with the wearer's skin while wearing the absorbent article, it functions as an oily skin care agent and can suppress and / or alleviate skin rash. When the above diamide derivative is used, only one type of diamide derivative may be used, or two or more types may be used in combination.

[0101] Other skin care agents that can be used in the present invention include, for example, oily skin care agents that are used as emollients in the field of cosmetics. Specific examples of such other skin care agents include liquid paraffin, silicone oil, animal and vegetable oils (olive oil, jojoba oil, safflower oil, argan oil, squalane, squalene, etc.), various plant extracts (peach leaf extract, ginger extract, horse chestnut extract, fucus extract, eucalyptus extract, Roman chamomile extract, carrot extract, platycodon extract, oat extract, licorice leaf extract, Cnidium rhizome extract, tangerine peel extract, peach kernel extract, coix seed extract, etc.), chamomilla recutita (matricaria) ET, sensu liliana extract, allantoin, dipotassium glycyrrhizinate, stearyl glycyrrhetinate, niacinamide, vitamin E, monoglycerides, diglycerides, triglycerides, aliphatic ethers (myristyl-1,3-dimethylbutyl ether, palmityl-1,3 Examples of suitable skin care agents include isostearyl cholesterol esters, paraffin wax, C12-C22 fatty acids, C12-C44 fatty acid ethers, C12-C22 fatty alcohols, petrolatum, fatty acid sorbitan esters (which may be monoesters, diesters, or triesters), polyoxyethylene fatty acid sorbitan esters (including monoesters, diesters, and triesters), metal stearate (magnesium stearate, etc.), sucrose fatty acid esters, cyclodextrin fatty acid esters, silicones, silicone resins, other emollients, and lotion compositions containing an emollient and a fixative. These skin care agents may be used singly or in combination.

[0102] A mixture of a C12-C22 fatty alcohol (preferably stearyl alcohol) and the diamide derivative of general formula (IV) above can be preferably used to prevent a decrease in the permeability of body fluids excreted on the topsheet 2. The mixing ratio of stearyl alcohol to the diamide derivative of general formula (IV) above (stearyl alcohol / diamide derivative) is preferably 90 / 10 to 50 / 50 (mass%) from the viewpoints of the transferability of the skin care agent to the skin, the skin care effect, the feel during use, and the permeability of body fluids into the topsheet. This mixture is preferably heated to increase its fluidity before being applied to the nonwoven fabric of the topsheet 2. After being attached to the nonwoven fabric, the mixture is left at room temperature to decrease its fluidity and make it easier for the topsheet 2 to retain it.

[0103] [Example of skin care product placement] As shown in Fig. 9, the skin care agent 10 is preferably contained in the top portion 21a of the protrusion 21, and more preferably in both the top portion 21a and the wall portion 21b. In this case, the distribution of the skin care agent 10 in the protrusion 21 is preferably such that the amount of skin care agent per unit area is smaller in the wall portion 21b than in the top portion 21a, from the viewpoint of bringing the skin care agent 10 into closer contact with the skin. Note that the amount of skin care agent is compared on the skin-facing surface. The skin care agent 10 may also be contained in the recess 22.

[0104] To easily achieve the above-described distribution, the skin care agent 10 can be applied, for example, by spraying the skin care agent, which has been heated or made into a solution to increase its fluidity, onto the skin-facing side of the nonwoven fabric having an uneven surface. However, the method of applying the skin care agent is not limited to this, and other methods such as a die coater method, a slot spray method, a curtain spray method, a meltblown method, a spiral spray method, a gravure method, or a bead method may also be used.

[0105] The method for measuring the amount of skin care agent will be described below. The measurement target area of ​​the topsheet is cut with scissors to obtain measurement pieces of a predetermined area (for example, 1 to 2 mm square). Then, for each measurement piece, the ratio of the absorption peak area of ​​the skin care agent to the absorption peak area of ​​the infrared absorption peak derived from the topsheet, obtained by, for example, infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), is calculated, and this ratio can be used as an index of the amount of skin care agent to compare. Note that a larger ratio indicates a larger amount of skin care agent. For example, ATR method can be used for infrared spectroscopy. As a specific example, when a diamide derivative, which will be described later, is applied to a topsheet made of PET / PE, the CH absorption peak at 1400-1500 cm derived from the topsheet is measured for each measurement piece. -1 The absorption peak of the amide group derived from the skin care agent is 1600-1670 cm -1 By comparing the ratios for measurement pieces of the same area, the amount of skin care agent per unit area at each measurement site can be compared.

[0106] [Example of absorber dimensions] The thickness of the high basis weight portion 41 of the absorbent body 4 is preferably 0.7 mm or more, more preferably 1 mm or more, and is preferably 5 mm or less, and even more preferably 4 mm or less, from the viewpoint of ensuring absorbency and ensuring a good fit to gaps in the excretory area. The thickness of the high basis weight portion 41 can be measured in the same way as the sheet thickness TS of the topsheet 2.

[0107] [Example of dimensions for non-bonded areas] The dimension of the non-bonded region 32 in the transverse direction Y is preferably 5 mm or more, more preferably 10 mm or more, from the viewpoint of promoting separation between the absorbent body 4 and the non-bonded region 32, and is preferably 40 mm or less, more preferably 25 mm or less, from the viewpoint of ensuring bonding between the absorbent body 4 and the backsheet 3. As mentioned above, the dimension of the non-bonded region 32 in the longitudinal direction X is preferably equal to or greater than the length of the middle region B in the longitudinal direction X, and more preferably equal to the length of the absorbent body 4 in the longitudinal direction X. Note that this dimension and the dimensions of each part described below are average dimensions of five or more points spaced approximately evenly apart within the measurement object.

[0108] [Example dimensions of adhesive strip] When the main body adhesive portion 7 has a plurality of strip-shaped adhesive portions 71 extending in the horizontal direction Y, the dimensions of each strip-shaped adhesive portion 71 are not particularly limited, but may be, for example, the following dimensions. The dimension of each strip-shaped adhesive portion 71 in the vertical direction X is preferably 1 mm or more, more preferably 2 mm or more, and preferably 8 mm or less, more preferably 6 mm or less, from the viewpoint of ensuring the adhesiveness of the strip-shaped adhesive portion 71 while suppressing problems such as adhesion within the strip-shaped adhesive portion 71. The dimension of the gap portion 72 between adjacent strip-shaped adhesive portions 71 in the vertical direction X is preferably 1 mm or more, more preferably 2 mm or more, and preferably 5 mm or less, more preferably 4 mm or less, from the viewpoint of ensuring the adhesiveness while suppressing problems such as adhesion between adjacent strip-shaped adhesive portions 71. The dimension of each strip-shaped adhesive portion 71 in the horizontal direction Y can be set appropriately depending on the dimension of the main body M in the horizontal direction Y, but is preferably 40 mm or more, more preferably 50 mm or more, and preferably 90 mm or less, more preferably 70 mm or less.

[0109] [Example of recess dimensions] The dimension (width) of each depression 34 in the horizontal direction Y is preferably 0.1 mm or more, more preferably 0.3 mm or more, and preferably 1.0 mm or less, more preferably 0.8 mm or less. The width of the depression 34 here refers to the width in a natural state when no tension is applied to the absorbent article, such as by attaching it to shorts S, and is a width that can be seen from the non-skin-facing surface 3a using a magnifying glass or optical microscope. The dimension of each depression 34 in the vertical direction X is preferably 10 mm or more, more preferably 15 mm or more, and preferably 35 mm or less, more preferably 25 mm or less. The distance in the horizontal direction Y between adjacent depressions 34 in the horizontal direction Y is preferably 3 mm or more, more preferably 7 mm or more, and preferably 20 mm or less, more preferably 15 mm or less.

[0110] [Example of slit dimensions] The dimension (width) of the slit portions 43 in the horizontal direction Y is preferably 0.1 mm or more, more preferably 0.3 mm or more, and preferably 1.0 mm or less, more preferably 0.8 mm or less. The width of the slit portions 43 here refers to the width in a natural state when no tension is applied to the absorbent article due to, for example, attachment to shorts S. The dimension of each slit portion 43 in the vertical direction X is preferably 10 mm or more, more preferably 15 mm or more, and preferably 35 mm or less, more preferably 25 mm or less. The distance in the horizontal direction Y between adjacent slit portions 43 in the horizontal direction Y is preferably 3 mm or more, more preferably 7 mm or more, and preferably 20 mm or less, more preferably 15 mm or less.

[0111] [Other embodiments] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0112] The absorbent article of the present invention is not limited to the structure shown in FIG. 2, and may include, for example, an intermediate sheet between the topsheet 2 and the absorbent body 4.

[0113] For example, the backsheet 3 may not have the depressions 34. The configuration of the absorbent body 4 is not limited to the laminate of absorbent sheets 40 described in the above embodiment. The configuration of the topsheet 2 is not limited to the example of the concave-convex nonwoven fabric described in the above embodiment.

[0114] In the above embodiment, a sanitary napkin is shown as an example of the absorbent article, but the absorbent article is not limited to this as long as it is an absorbent article that is used by being fixed to underwear such as shorts. The absorbent article of the present invention may also be, for example, a urine pad or a panty liner. [Explanation of symbols]

[0115] 1... Napkins (absorbent articles) 2...Surface sheet 3...Back sheet 31...Joining area 32…Non-bonded area 33...Boundary 4...Absorbent 7...Adhesive part of main body 10. Skin care products A...Anterior area B...middle area C…Back area M…Main body

Claims

1. An absorbent article comprising a main body having a top sheet, a back sheet, an absorbent body disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet, and a main body adhesive portion disposed on a non-skin-facing surface of the back sheet, the absorbent article having a vertical direction corresponding to the front-to-back direction of a wearer, and a horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and corresponding to the left-to-right direction of the wearer, The main body is divided into a middle region including an excretory part facing region facing the excretory part of the wearer, a front region in front of the middle region in the longitudinal direction, and a rear region in rear of the middle region in the longitudinal direction, the topsheet contains a skin care agent on the skin-facing surface at least in the intermediate region and is joined to the absorbent body; The back sheet is a pair of joining regions spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction at least in the intermediate region and joined to the absorbent body; a non-bonded region disposed between the pair of bonded regions and not bonded to the absorbent body, The bonded region extends in the lateral direction from a boundary with the non-bonded region to a side edge of the absorbent body in the lateral direction, The main body adhesive portion extends in the lateral direction from one of the bonded regions through the non-bonded region to the other of the bonded regions. Absorbent articles.

2. The back sheet is The non-skin-facing surface further has a recessed portion recessed toward the skin side, The recessed portion is In the joining region of the intermediate region, the adhesive portion is disposed at a position overlapping the main body adhesive portion in a plan view and extends in the vertical direction. The absorbent article of claim 1.

3. the main body adhesive portion has a plurality of strip-shaped adhesive portions extending along the horizontal direction and arranged with gaps in between in the vertical direction, The recessed portion extends continuously in the vertical direction so as to overlap with two or more of the plurality of strip-shaped adhesive portions and at least one of the gap portions in a plan view. The absorbent article of claim 2.

4. The recessed portions are respectively disposed in the pair of joining regions. The absorbent article according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The absorbent body is a high basis weight portion that is disposed in the intermediate region and has a relatively high basis weight; a low basis weight portion that is disposed around the high basis weight portion and has a relatively low basis weight, the high basis weight portion extends across the entire width of the non-bonded region in the lateral direction; the absorbent body has a slit portion disposed at least in the high basis weight portion and extending in the longitudinal direction, The slit portion overlaps with the non-bonded region in a plan view. The absorbent article according to claim 2 or 3.

6. a side edge of the high basis weight portion in the lateral direction is disposed in the vicinity of the non-bonded region so as to overlap with the bonded region in a plan view; The recessed portion is disposed in the joining region of the intermediate region so as to overlap with the high basis weight portion in a plan view. The absorbent article of claim 5.

7. the topsheet has a plurality of convex portions protruding toward the skin side and a plurality of concave portions protruding toward the non-skin side, The plurality of protrusions contain the skin care agent and are arranged so as to overlap the non-bonding region in a plan view. The absorbent article of claim 1.

8. In the topsheet, an internal space is formed on the non-skin side of the convex portion. The absorbent article of claim 7.

9. The top sheet is made of a nonwoven fabric, The recessed portion is a fiber portion composed of fibers; and a void portion disposed between the fiber portions and configured as a void having a larger inter-fiber distance than the protrusions. The absorbent article according to claim 7 or 8.

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