Underpants type absorbent article

Abstract

To provide an underpants type absorbent article enabling folding a waist part in an appropriate position, facilitating inserting the leg, and easily wearable.SOLUTION: An underpants type absorbent article (1) in which an abdominal side waist part (20) and a rear side waist part (30) are connected by a pair of side connection parts (SS) has a drawing pattern (70) to be an index mark when folding the waist parts (20, 30) to the skin side or the non-skin side. The drawing pattern (70) is visible from the skin side or the non-skin side, a length of the drawing pattern (70) in a longitudinal direction is longer than a length in a vertical direction, and at least a part of the drawing pattern (70) is arranged in an intermediate area (RC). In the intermediate area (RC), the same drawing pattern as the drawing pattern (70) is not provided excluding the drawing pattern (70) in a drawing pattern existence region held by a virtual line passing through one end in the longitudinal direction of the drawing pattern (70) along the vertical direction, and a virtual line passing through the other end in the longitudinal direction of the drawing pattern (70) along the vertical direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pants-type absorbent article. [Background technology]

[0002]

[0003] As an example of a pants-type absorbent article, a pants-type diaper is known, which has a waist portion including a ventral waist portion located on the ventral side of the wearer and a dorsal waist portion located on the dorsal side of the wearer, and an absorbent main body including an absorbent core. In pants-type diapers for adults, the length of the waist portion (the length in the vertical direction, which will be described later) is long to ensure a good fit while wearing the diaper, which can easily make it difficult for the wearer to put their legs through (putting their legs through from the waist opening to the leg openings). To address this issue, a technique is known in which a fold portion is provided in the waist portion, which serves as a starting point for folding (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In Patent Document 1, the fold portion is provided by making the rigidity of the fold portion different from the rigidity of other portions (for example, by making the number of stacked sheets different). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-028607 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, because the waist portion of a pants-type diaper is generally very flexible, even if a folding portion is provided, it is difficult to determine the point of stress concentration when an external force is applied, making it difficult to fold it at the appropriate position. Furthermore, because pants-type diapers are generally made of sheets of the same color (e.g., white), the folding portion is difficult for the wearer (e.g., elderly people) to recognize. As a result, when folding the waist portion, there are cases where the wearer does not know where to place their hands (fingers) to fold it, or where to fold it back. As a result, it is not possible to fold (fold back) the waist portion at the appropriate position, making it difficult to put on the diaper and making it difficult to put on.

[0005] The present invention was made in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and its purpose is to provide a pants-type absorbent article in which the waist portion can be folded back at an appropriate position, making it easy to put on and put on the legs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The main invention for achieving the above object is a pants-type absorbent article having a vertical direction, a horizontal direction, and a front-to-rear direction which are orthogonal to one another, and comprising an absorbent main body and a waist portion having a ventral waist portion and a rear waist portion, the ventral waist portion and the rear waist portion being joined by a pair of side joining portions, the article having a pattern which serves as an indication when folding the waist portion to the skin side or the non-skin side, the pattern being visible from the skin side or the non-skin side, the length of the pattern in the horizontal direction being longer than the length of the pattern in the vertical direction, and the waist portion being divided into thirds in the vertical direction. When the uppermost region is defined as the upper region, the lowermost region as the lower region, and the region between the upper and lower regions as the intermediate region, at least a part of the pattern is arranged in the intermediate region, and when the region in the intermediate region sandwiched between an imaginary line passing through one end of the pattern in the left-right direction and running along the up-down direction, and an imaginary line passing through the other end of the pattern in the left-right direction and running along the up-down direction, is defined as a pattern presence region, the pattern presence region is characterized in that no pattern identical to the pattern is provided other than the pattern.

[0007] Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a pants-type absorbent article in which the waist portion can be folded back at an appropriate position, making it easy to put on and put on the legs. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a pants-type diaper 1. FIG. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic plan view of a diaper 1 in an unfolded and stretched state, as seen from the wearer's skin side. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the absorbent body 10 taken along the line BB in FIG. 2. [Figure 5] 5A to 5C are explanatory diagrams showing an example of the operation of folding back the waist portions 20, 30. FIG. [Figure 6] 6A to 6C are explanatory diagrams showing another example of the operation of folding back the waist portions 20, 30. In FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a pants-type diaper 1A according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a pants-type diaper 1A' according to a modified example of the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a pants-type diaper 1B according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] At least the following matters will become clear from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0011] (Aspect 1) A pants-type absorbent article having mutually orthogonal vertical, horizontal, and front-to-rear directions, comprising an absorbent main body and a waist portion having a ventral waist portion and a rear waist portion, the ventral waist portion and the rear waist portion being joined by a pair of side joining portions, the pants-type absorbent article having a pattern serving as an indicator for folding the waist portion to the skin side or the non-skin side, the pattern being visible from the skin side or the non-skin side, the length of the pattern in the horizontal direction being longer than the length of the pattern in the vertical direction, and the uppermost side when the waist portion is divided into three equal parts in the vertical direction When the region above is defined as the upper region, the lowest region as the lower region, and the region between the upper and lower regions as the intermediate region, at least a part of the pattern is arranged in the intermediate region, and when the region in the intermediate region sandwiched between an imaginary line passing through one end of the pattern in the left-right direction and running in the up-down direction, and an imaginary line passing through the other end of the pattern in the left-right direction and running in the up-down direction is defined as a pattern presence region, a pattern identical to the pattern other than the pattern is not provided in the pattern presence region.

[0012] According to the pants-type absorbent article of aspect 1, the pattern is located in the middle region of the waistband, and the same pattern is not located above or below it (pattern-existing regions), which helps the wearer to remember where to place their fingers when folding back the waistband. This also helps the wearer to easily recognize where to fold back the waistband. By folding back the waistband using the pattern as a guide, the vertical length of the waistband is shortened, which shortens the distance through which the legs need to be put on, making it easier to put on and put back on.

[0013] (Aspect 2) The pants-type absorbent article according to aspect 1, wherein the pattern is visible from both the skin side and the non-skin side.

[0014] According to the pants-type absorbent article of aspect 2, the positions of the folds can be seen from either the skin side or the non-skin side.

[0015] (Aspect 3) The pants-type absorbent article according to aspect 1 or aspect 2, wherein the entire pattern is disposed in the intermediate region.

[0016] According to the pants-type absorbent article of aspect 3, the entire design is arranged in the middle region, so that the waist portion can be folded back at the middle region.

[0017] (Aspect 4) The pants-type absorbent article according to any one of Aspects 1 to 3, wherein the pattern straddles a center position of the side joint portion in the up-down direction.

[0018] According to the pants-type absorbent article of aspect 4, the waist portion can be folded back at the vertical center position (the center position of the side joining portion), which allows the vertical length of the waist portion to be reduced by approximately half, making it easier to put on.

[0019] (Aspect 5) A pants-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 4, wherein the absorbent body has an absorbent core, and in the vertical direction, the pattern overlaps with the absorbent body but does not overlap with the absorbent core.

[0020] According to the pants-type absorbent article of the fifth aspect, the overlapping of the pattern with the absorbent body increases rigidity, making it easier to determine the point where stress is concentrated (the folding position). This allows the waistband portion to be folded at an appropriate position. Furthermore, since the pattern does not overlap with the absorbent core, it is possible to prevent the thickness of the absorbent core from making folding difficult.

[0021] (Aspect 6) A pants-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 5, wherein when the waist portion is divided into thirds in the left-right direction, the rightmost region is the right region, the leftmost region is the left region, and the region between the right region and the left region is the central region, the pattern is present in each of the right region, the central region, and the left region.

[0022] According to the pants-type absorbent article of aspect 6, the patterns are provided in each of the left and right regions of the waistband (right region, center region, left region), which makes it easier to recognize the folding positions. Also, when folding back the waistband, the area over which the fingers can be placed is wider, making it easier to place the fingers.

[0023] (Aspect 7) A pants-type absorbent article according to aspect 6, wherein the pattern is continuous from the left region to the right region.

[0024] According to the pants-type absorbent article of the seventh aspect, the pattern is continuous from the left region to the right region of the waistband, so that the article can be folded back in the same way no matter where on the waistband it is held.

[0025] (Aspect 8) The pants-type absorbent article according to any one of Aspects 1 to 5, wherein the pattern straddles the center of the waistband in the left-right direction.

[0026] According to the pants-type absorbent article of the eighth aspect, the waist portion can be folded back while holding the center of the waist portion in the left-right direction (with fingers on the pattern).

[0027] (Aspect 9) A pants-type absorbent article according to aspect 8, wherein the pattern is provided on both the ventral waistband portion and the dorsal waistband portion.

[0028] According to the pants-type absorbent article of aspect 9, the waist portion can be folded by holding (grasping) the ventral waist portion and the back waist portion. Furthermore, since both the ventral waist portion and the back waist portion have patterns, the folding positions of the ventral waist portion and the back waist portion can be recognized. Furthermore, when folding, the positions where the fingers of the right hand and the fingers of the left hand should be placed can be recalled.

[0029] (Aspect 10) A pants-type absorbent article according to aspect 9, wherein the pattern on the ventral waist portion and the pattern on the dorsal waist portion at least partially overlap in the vertical direction.

[0030] According to the pants-type absorbent article of aspect 10, the ventral waist portion and the rear waist portion can be folded back at the same position in the vertical direction, thereby aligning the folded back positions of the waist portions.

[0031] (Aspect 11) A pants-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 5, wherein when the waistline portion is divided into thirds in the left-right direction, the rightmost region is the right region, the leftmost region is the left region, and the region between the right region and the left region is the central region, the pattern is arranged in the right region and the left region of at least one of the ventral waistline portion and the dorsal waistline portion.

[0032] According to the pants-type absorbent article of aspect 11, the waist portion can be folded by holding both left and right side portions (right region and left region) of the waist portion. In addition, the presence of a pattern on both left and right side portions allows the user to identify the folding positions on each side. Furthermore, when folding, the user can recall the positions where the fingers of the right hand and the fingers of the left hand should be placed, respectively.

[0033] (Aspect 12) A pants-type absorbent article according to aspect 11, wherein the pattern in the right region and the pattern in the left region at least partially overlap in the up-down direction.

[0034] According to the pants-type absorbent article of aspect 12, both side portions of the waist portion can be folded back at the same position in the vertical direction, thereby making it possible to align the folded-back positions of the waist portion.

[0035] (Aspect 13) A pants-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 12, wherein, when the center of the pattern is taken as the reference position in the vertical direction, the force for extending the vertical unit width of the region above the reference position of the waistline portion by a unit length in the left-right direction is greater than the force for extending the vertical unit width of the region below the reference position of the waistline portion by a unit length in the left-right direction.

[0036] According to the pants-type absorbent article of aspect 13, the waist portion can be easily folded at the position of the pattern. Furthermore, when the waist portion is folded, it is easy to maintain the folded state.

[0037] (Aspect 14) A pants-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 13, wherein the waist portion has a plurality of elastic members spaced apart in the vertical direction and each of which is stretchable in the horizontal direction, and the pattern overlaps with at least two of the elastic members.

[0038] According to the pants-type absorbent article of aspect 14, the pattern overlaps with at least two elastic members, thereby preventing the pattern from becoming too thin and becoming invisible.

[0039] (Aspect 15) A pants-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 14, wherein the waist portion has a plurality of elastic members spaced apart in the vertical direction, each of which is stretchable in the left-right direction, and two sheets sandwiching the plurality of elastic members, and the pattern is formed on a sheet separate from the two sheets.

[0040] According to the pants-type absorbent article of aspect 15, the rigidity of the patterned area is increased, making it easier to fold the waist area.

[0041] ===First Embodiment=== <<Configuration of pants-type diaper 1>> As an example of a pants-type absorbent article used in this embodiment, the basic structure of a pants-type diaper 1 (hereinafter also referred to as "diaper 1") will be described.

[0042] Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a diaper 1. Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of the diaper 1 in an unfolded and stretched state, as seen from the wearer's skin side. Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the absorbent main body 10 taken along line BB in Fig. 2.

[0043] The "unfolded state" of the diaper 1 refers to the state in which the diaper 1 is unfolded on a flat surface by separating the ventral waistband 20 (described below) and the dorsal waistband 30 (described below) from the diaper 1 in the pants-type state shown in Fig. 1 at the side seams SS (described below) on both the left and right sides, and opening the diaper 1 vertically. The "stretched state" of the diaper 1 refers to the state in which the product (diaper 1) is stretched without wrinkles, specifically, the state in which the dimensions of each component (e.g., the absorbent main body 10, the ventral waistband 20, etc.) constituting the diaper 1 are stretched to the extent that they match or are close to the dimensions of the individual components.

[0044] In the pants-type state shown in FIG. 1, the diaper 1 has a "vertical direction," a "lateral direction," and a "front-to-rear direction" that are perpendicular to one another. In the vertical direction, the side that faces the wearer's torso (the side where the waist opening BH is formed) is referred to as the "upper side," and the side that faces the wearer's crotch is referred to as the "lower side." In the front-to-rear direction, the side that faces the wearer's stomach is referred to as the "front side," and the side that faces the back is referred to as the "rear side." In the left-to-right direction, the side that faces the wearer's right side is referred to as the "right side," and the side that faces the wearer's left side is referred to as the "left side."

[0045] In addition, in the unfolded and stretched state shown in Fig. 2, the diaper 1 has a "longitudinal direction," a "left-right direction," and a "thickness direction" that are perpendicular to one another. The longitudinal direction is along the above-mentioned up-and-down direction, with one side of the longitudinal direction corresponding to the ventral side (front side) and the other side corresponding to the dorsal side (rear side). The thickness direction is the direction in which materials (sheets, etc.) are layered as shown in Fig. 3, and the side of the thickness direction that comes into contact with the wearer is referred to as the "skin side," and the opposite side is referred to as the "non-skin side."

[0046] The diaper 1 includes an absorbent body 10 and an exterior body 40 .

[0047] (Absorbent body 10) As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the absorbent body 10 has an absorbent core 11, a top sheet 12, a back sheet 13, and a pair of side sheets 14.

[0048] The absorbent core 11 may be any material capable of absorbing and retaining excrement, such as a liquid-absorbent material such as pulp fiber or a superabsorbent polymer molded into a predetermined shape. The absorbent core 11 is covered with a liquid-permeable core wrap 15 made of tissue paper, nonwoven fabric, or the like.

[0049] The top sheet 12 is a liquid-permeable sheet member that is disposed closer to the skin than the absorbent core 11 (and the core wrap 15) and comes into contact with the wearer's skin when the diaper 1 is worn. The top sheet 12 is formed of, for example, an air-through nonwoven fabric or a spunbond nonwoven fabric. A second sheet (not shown) or the like may also be provided between the top sheet 12 and the absorbent core 11.

[0050] The back sheet 13 is a liquid-impermeable and moisture-permeable sheet member that is disposed on the non-skin side of the absorbent core 11 (core wrap 15), and is formed of, for example, a resin film. The provision of the back sheet 13 prevents moisture such as urine absorbed by the absorbent main body 10 from migrating (penetrating) into the wearer's clothing.

[0051] The side sheets 14 are sheet members arranged on both lateral sides of the absorbent core 11, and are made of, for example, a hydrophobic nonwoven fabric such as an SMS (spunbond-meltblown-spunbond) nonwoven fabric.

[0052] A pair of leakage preventing walls 3 is provided along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent main body 10 on both left-right side edges of the absorbent main body 10. The leakage preventing walls 3 are formed by side sheets 14. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the leakage preventing walls 3 are provided on both left-right side edges of the skin-side surface of the top sheet 12 by folding portions of the side sheets 14 that extend outward in the left-right direction from the non-skin-facing side of the back sheet 13 at multiple locations. Leak preventing wall elastic members 16 (e.g., elastic members such as rubber thread) are attached to the leakage preventing walls 3 in a stretched state along the longitudinal direction. The elasticity of the leakage preventing wall elastic members 16 causes the leakage preventing walls 3 to stand up towards the skin side of the wearer.

[0053] Furthermore, in the diaper 1 of this embodiment, in the longitudinal center (crotch region) of the leakage barrier walls 3, a joining portion 17 (using adhesive or the like, see FIG. 4) is provided extending in the longitudinal direction to join the leakage barrier walls 3 folded in the left-right direction so as to maintain the shape of the leakage barrier walls 3. This increases the rigidity of the leakage barrier walls 3 in the crotch region. However, this is not limitative, and for example, the rigidity may be increased by joining the leakage barrier walls 3 and the top sheet 12.

[0054] (exterior body 40) 2, the outer casing 40 has an hourglass shape with the longitudinal center narrowed inward in the left-right direction, and has a ventral waistline portion 20 that is placed on the wearer's ventral side and a dorsal waistline portion 30 that is placed on the wearer's dorsal side. The outer casing 40 is joined to the non-skin side of the absorbent main body 10 with an adhesive or the like.

[0055] The outer cover 40 in the unfolded state shown in Fig. 2 is folded in half in the longitudinal direction together with the absorbent main body 10, and the ventral waist portion 20 and the rear waist portion 30 are joined at a pair of side joining portions SS at both left and right ends. As a result, the ventral waist portion 20 and the rear waist portion 30 are connected in a ring shape to form a pants-type diaper 1 having a waist opening BH and a pair of leg openings LH as shown in Fig. 1. Examples of joining methods using the side joining portions SS include thermal welding, ultrasonic welding, and adhesive joining methods.

[0056] In the unfolded and stretched state (FIG. 2), the portion of the exterior body 40 that overlaps in the vertical direction with the side joint SS (the portion indicated by Lss in the figure) at the front side of the diaper 1 is referred to as the ventral waistline portion 20. In addition, in the unfolded and stretched state (FIG. 2), the portion of the exterior body 40 that overlaps in the vertical direction with the side joint SS (the portion indicated by length Lss in the figure) is referred to as the back waistline portion 30. In other words, in this embodiment, the vertical lengths of the ventral waistline portion 20 and the back waistline portion 30 are each equal to the vertical length Lss of the side joint SS.

[0057] In the following description, the ventral waist portion 20 and the back waist portion 30 are collectively referred to as the waist portions 20, 30 (or simply the waist portions). As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the waist portions 20, 30 are provided with a pattern 70 that serves as a guide when folding back the waist portions. Details of the pattern 70 will be described later.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 3, the exterior body 40 has an exterior top sheet 41, a ventral exterior back sheet 21, and a dorsal exterior back sheet 31.

[0059] The exterior topsheet 41 forms the outer shape of the exterior body 40, is arranged from the ventral waistband 20 through the crotch area to the dorsal waistband 30, and forms an hourglass shape in the unfolded state as described above.

[0060] The ventral-side exterior backsheet 21 is provided closer to the skin than the exterior topsheet 41. A plurality of elastic members 23 (e.g., elastic members such as rubber threads) that are stretchable in the left-right direction are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction between the ventral-side exterior backsheet 21 and the exterior topsheet 41. In other words, on the ventral side, the ventral-side exterior backsheet 21 and the exterior topsheet 41 correspond to "two sheets" that sandwich a plurality of elastic members (here, the elastic members 23). The outer end (upper end) of the ventral-side exterior backsheet 21 in the longitudinal direction is folded back toward the skin to form a folded-back portion 21r. This folded-back portion 21r covers the longitudinal end (front end) of the absorbent main body 10 from the skin side.

[0061] Similarly, the dorsal exterior backsheet 31 is provided closer to the skin than the exterior topsheet 41. A plurality of elastic members 33 (stretchable members similar to the elastic members 23) that are stretchable in the left-right direction are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction between the dorsal exterior backsheet 31 and the exterior topsheet 41. In other words, on the dorsal side, the dorsal exterior backsheet 31 and the exterior topsheet 41 correspond to "two sheets" that sandwich a plurality of elastic members (here, the elastic members 33). The outer end (upper end) of the ventral exterior backsheet 21 in the longitudinal direction is folded back toward the skin to form a folded-back portion 31r. This folded-back portion 31r covers the longitudinal end (rear end) of the absorbent main body 10 from the skin side.

[0062] 3, the ventral exterior backsheet 21 and the dorsal exterior backsheet 31 each have an extension portion that extends downward from the ventral waistline portion 20 and the dorsal waistline portion 30 (i.e., the side joint portion SS). The dorsal exterior backsheet 31 extends further toward the crotch area, and rear leg elastic members 34 (such as rubber thread) are provided in the extension portion 30E between the dorsal exterior backsheet 31 and the exterior topsheet 41. The rear leg elastic members 34 are arranged along the lower edge of the dorsal exterior backsheet 31, as shown in FIG.

[0063] The configuration of the exterior body 40 is not limited to the above-described one. For example, the exterior body may have a crotch portion (not shown) positioned in the crotch area of ​​the wearer between the ventral waistline portion 20 and the back waistline portion 30 in the longitudinal direction, and may be configured by the ventral waistline portion 20, the back waistline portion 30, and the crotch portion.

[0064] <About Design 70> A commonly known method for a wearer of a diaper 1 to put on the diaper 1 by themselves involves first grasping both lateral ends of the diaper 1 with both hands, spreading the waist opening BH apart, and then lifting one leg and passing it through the waist opening BH and the leg opening LH. The wearer then passes the other leg through the diaper 1, pulling the entire diaper 1 up to the waist, completing the diaper putting process. However, some wearers of diapers 1, such as elderly people, have difficulty putting on the diaper 1 due to reduced physical function. In particular, in pants-type diapers 1 for adults, the waist openings 20, 30 have a long vertical length Lss to improve fit, which can easily catch the wearer's legs and make it difficult to put the diaper on.

[0065] If the waistband portions 20, 30 are folded back, the vertical length of the waistband portions 20, 30 becomes shorter than Lss, making it easier to put the legs through, but as mentioned above, because the vertical length Lss of the waistband portions 20, 30 is long, it is difficult to know where to hold when folding back (where to place your fingers) or how far to fold back, making it difficult to fold back in the appropriate position.

[0066] Therefore, the diaper 1 of this embodiment is provided with a pattern 70 that serves as a guide when folding back the waist portion. By providing the pattern 70, as will be described later, it becomes easier to understand where to hold the waist portion when folding back (for example, where to place your fingers) and how far to fold it back.

[0067] The pattern 70 is provided along the left-right direction (horizontal direction) between a pair of side joints SS of the waistband portions 20, 30, and the left-right length of the pattern 70 is longer than the up-down length (vertical direction). In this way, because the pattern 70 is horizontally long (its vertical length is short), it is easy for the wearer to recognize the positions of the folds of the waistband portions 20, 30.

[0068] 1 to 3, when the waistband portions 20, 30 are vertically divided into three equal regions, which are defined as an upper region RU, a middle region RC, and a lower region RD, in that order from top to bottom, the design 70 is arranged in the middle region RC. In this embodiment, the entire design 70 is arranged in the middle region RC, but this is not limited thereto, and it is sufficient if at least a part of the design 70 is arranged in the middle region RC. However, by arranging the entire design 70 in the middle region RC as in this embodiment, the waistband portions 20, 30 can be reliably folded back in the middle region RC.

[0069] Furthermore, in the intermediate region RC, the region sandwiched between an imaginary line passing through the left end of the pattern 70 in the vertical direction and an imaginary line passing through the right end of the pattern 70 in the vertical direction (corresponding to the pattern presence region) has no identical pattern other than the pattern 70. In this way, the presence of the pattern 70 in the intermediate region RC of the waistline portion and the absence of the identical pattern above and below it (the pattern presence region) can remind the wearer of the position where to place their fingers when folding back the waistline portions 20, 30. Furthermore, this can make it easier for the wearer to recognize the appropriate position for folding back the waistline portions 20, 30.

[0070] Furthermore, in the vertical direction, the pattern 70 straddles the center position FP (see Figs. 2 and 3) of the waistband portions 20, 30. This allows the waistband portions 20, 30 to be folded back at the center position FP in the vertical direction (the center position of the side joint portion SS). In other words, the vertical length of the waistband portions 20, 30 can be reduced by approximately half, making it easier to put on the legs.

[0071] 2 and 3, the pattern 70 is provided on both the ventral waistline portion 20 and the back waistline portion 30. Since the pattern 70 is provided on both the ventral waistline portion 20 and the back waistline portion 30, it is easy to see where to place the fingers of the wearer's right and left hands when folding back the waistline portions 20, 30.

[0072] Furthermore, the pattern 70 of the ventral waistline portion 20 and the pattern 70 of the back waistline portion 30 overlap in the vertical direction. This allows the ventral waistline portion 20 and the back waistline portion 30 to be folded back at the same position in the vertical direction. This allows the folding positions of the waistline portions to be aligned. Note that in this embodiment, the pattern 70 of the ventral waistline portion 20 and the pattern 70 of the back waistline portion 30 completely overlap in the vertical direction, but this is not limited thereto and it is sufficient that they overlap at least partially.

[0073] 3, in this embodiment, a ventral pattern sheet 70A having a pattern 70 formed thereon is joined to the non-skin side of the ventral exterior backsheet 21, and a dorsal pattern sheet 70B having a pattern 70 formed thereon is joined to the non-skin side of the dorsal exterior backsheet 31. The ventral pattern sheet 70A and the dorsal pattern sheet 70B are elongated sheets (e.g., nonwoven fabrics) colored in a color different from that of the waistband portions 20, 30. The ventral pattern sheet 70A (dorsal pattern sheet 70B) is joined to the non-skin side of the ventral exterior backsheet 21 (dorsal exterior backsheet 31) so that the longitudinal direction thereof is along the left-right direction, thereby forming a band-like pattern 70.

[0074] In this way, the pattern 70 is formed on sheets (ventral pattern sheet 70A, dorsal pattern sheet 70B) separate from the two sheets sandwiching the elastic members 23, 33 of the waistband portions 20, 30. This increases the number of sheets in the pattern 70 area, increasing rigidity and making it easier to fold the waistband portions 20, 30. However, the method for forming the pattern 70 is not limited to this. For example, the pattern 70 may be formed by printing or dyeing a portion of the ventral exterior backsheet 21 or the dorsal exterior backsheet 31. The pattern may also be applied by embossing. In this case, the fiber density of the material in the embossed area increases, creating a difference in color from the surrounding area.

[0075] Furthermore, the design 70 is not limited to the one shown in the figure, and may be any design whose horizontal length is longer than its vertical length. For example, it may be a picture, pattern, arrow, dashed line, or embossment. Furthermore, it may be a design in which multiple vertically elongated (vertical) figures whose horizontal length is shorter than their vertical length are arranged horizontally, resulting in a horizontally elongated design overall. Even when multiple figures are arranged as described above, the entire design can be considered as a single design. In this case, the separation distance between adjacent figures is preferably less than 2 / 3 of the horizontal length of the design, and more preferably less than 1 / 2 of the horizontal length of the design. Even more preferably, the separation distance between the figures is less than the horizontal length of the figures.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 3, the ventral pattern sheet 70A overlaps with two or more elastic members 23, and the dorsal pattern sheet 70B overlaps with two or more elastic members 33. In other words, the pattern 70 overlaps with two or more elastic members. In this way, it is desirable that the pattern 70 overlaps with at least two elastic members. This prevents the pattern 70 from being too thin and becoming invisible.

[0077] 2 and 3, the pattern 70 overlaps with the absorbent main body 10 in the up-down direction. By overlapping the pattern 70 with the absorbent main body 10 in this way, for example, when holding (grasping) the overlapping portion and folding (see FIGS. 6A to 6C), the rigidity of the portion of the pattern 70 is high, making it easier to determine the point where stress is concentrated (the folding position). Therefore, the waistline portions 20, 30 can be folded at an appropriate position.

[0078] Furthermore, if the pattern 70 overlaps with the absorbent core 11 in the vertical direction, the thickness of the absorbent core 11 makes it difficult to fold at the position of the pattern 70. In this embodiment, the pattern 70 does not overlap with the absorbent core 11 in the vertical direction, so that it is possible to prevent the thickness of the absorbent core 11 from making it difficult to fold.

[0079] 2, when the waistband portions 20, 30 are divided into three equal regions in the left-right direction, which are defined as a right region RX, a central region RY, and a left region RZ, respectively, a pattern 70 is provided in each of the right region RX, the central region RY, and the left region RZ. As a result, since the pattern 70 is provided in each region in the left-right direction of the waistband portions 20, 30 (the right region RX, the central region RY, and the left region RZ), the folding positions can be more easily recognized. Furthermore, when folding back the waistband portions, the area over which the fingers can be placed is wider, making it easier to place the fingers.

[0080] Furthermore, the pattern 70 is continuous from the left region RZ to the right region RX, so that the waist portions 20, 30 can be folded back in the same manner regardless of the position at which they are held.

[0081] Furthermore, in the left-right direction, the pattern 70 straddles the center of the waistline portions 20, 30 (position indicated by A in Fig. 2). This allows the waistline portions 20, 30 to be folded back by gripping the center of the left-right direction of the waistline portions 20, 30 (by placing fingers on the pattern 70) (see Figs. 6A to 6C).

[0082] As shown in FIG. 3, the pattern 70 is formed on the non-skin side of the waist-circulating portions 20, 30. In other words, the pattern 70 is visible from the non-skin side of the diaper 1. This allows the folding position to be known without looking at the inside of the diaper 1. In addition, in this embodiment, the pattern 70 is visible from the skin side (inside) of the waist-circulating portions 20, 30 through the waist-circulating portions 20, 30. This allows the folding position to be known from either the skin side or the non-skin side. Furthermore, because the pattern 70 is visible from the skin side, when folding the waist-circulating portions 20, 30 to the non-skin side, it is possible to check whether the waist-circulating portions 20, 30 have been folded to the desired position, for example (see FIGS. 5C and 6C).

[0083] Furthermore, when the vertical center of the pattern 70 (here, the same as the vertical center position FP of the waistband portions 20, 30) is taken as the reference position, the spacing between the elastic members (elastic members 23, 33) is shorter and the number of elastic members is greater in the region above the reference position than in the region below the reference position. Therefore, the force (stretching force) required to stretch the vertical unit width of the region above the reference position (FP) of the waistband portions 20, 30 by a unit length in the left-right direction is greater than the force (stretching force) required to stretch the vertical unit width of the region below the reference position (FP) of the waistband portions 20, 30 by a unit length in the left-right direction. This makes it easy to fold the waistband portions 20, 30 at the position of the pattern 70. Furthermore, when the waistband portions 20, 30 are folded, the folded state is easily maintained.

[0084] The stretching force can be adjusted not only by the spacing of the elastic members as described above, but also by, for example, the thickness of the elastic members and the stretch ratio (the length of the diaper 1 in a stretched state divided by the length in an unloaded state).

[0085] The comparison of stretching force can be performed by a known method. For example, the absorbent body 10 is separated from the diaper 1, and target regions of the annular waistband portions 20, 30 (regions above and below the standard positions) are cut out as samples. Then, using a tensile tester, the load (load (N / mm) per unit width (mm) in the vertical direction) when each sample is stretched a predetermined length in the horizontal direction can be obtained and compared.

[0086] In this embodiment, the pattern 70 is continuous at both left and right ends of the waistband portions 20, 30 (between a pair of side joints SS), but it does not have to be continuous. For example, it may be discontinuous at the boundary between the right region RX, central region RY, and left region RZ. Furthermore, the pattern 70 does not have to be continuous up to the pair of side joints SS (the pattern 70 may not be present near the side joints SS).

[0087] <About the folding action of the diaper 1 by the wearer> 5A to 5C are explanatory diagrams showing an example of the operation of folding back the waist-surrounding portions 20, 30 when putting on the diaper 1. In these figures, the wearer grasps both lateral sides of the waist-surrounding portions 20, 30 of the diaper 1 (regions including the pair of side seam portions SS) and folds them away from the wearer's skin.

[0088] First, as shown in Fig. 5A, the wearer grasps both lateral sides of the waist-circumference portions 20, 30 of the diaper 1 with the right and left hands, respectively. In doing so, the wearer places the thumbs of both hands inside the waist-circumference portions 20, 30 and grasps the diaper 1 by placing any fingers (fingertips) other than the thumbs on the patterns on the waist-circumference portions 20, 30. The presence of the patterns 70 makes it easy to know where to place the fingers.

[0089] Next, as shown in FIG. 5B, while gripping the diaper 1, the waist regions 20, 30 are opened to the left and right.

[0090] 5B, the waist portions 20, 30 are folded (folded back) toward the non-skin side (outside) starting from the finger (fingertip) placed on the pattern 70. As a result, the waist portions 20, 30 are folded in half as shown in FIG. 5C. At this time, because the pattern 70 is visible from the skin side, it can be confirmed that the folding is at the position of the pattern 70 as shown in FIG. 5C.

[0091] When the diaper 1 is in its natural state (FIG. 5A), the upper ends 20a, 30a of the waist-circumference portions 20, 30 are the upper ends of the waist-circumference openings BH, whereas when the diaper 1 is folded in half (FIG. 5C), the central position FP is the upper end of the waist-circumference openings BH. In other words, the vertical length of the waist-circumference portions 20, 30 is Lss / 2, and the distance from the waist-circumference openings BH to the leg-circumference openings LH is shortened. This makes it easier to put on and put on the diaper.

[0092] If the waistline portions 20, 30 can be folded back from the state of FIG. 5A, they may be folded back without being spread out laterally (the state of FIG. 5B may not be necessary).

[0093] 6A to 6C are explanatory diagrams showing another example of the operation of folding back the waist-line portions 20, 30 when putting on the diaper 1. In this example, the ventral waist-line portion 20 and the dorsal waist-line portion 30 of the diaper 1 are grasped with the right and left hands, respectively, and folded back toward the non-skin side.

[0094] First, as shown in Fig. 6A, the wearer grasps the diaper 1 at the left-right central portion (central region RY) of the ventral waist portion 20 and the left-right central portion (central region RY) of the dorsal waist portion 30 with the right and left hands, respectively. At this time, the wearer places the thumbs of both hands inside the waist portions 20, 30 and places any fingers (fingertips) other than the thumbs on the pattern 70 on the waist portions 20, 30. The pattern 70 makes it easy to know where to place the fingers.

[0095] Next, as shown in FIG. 6B, the diaper 1 is gripped with both hands and the waist portions 20, 30 are opened in the front-rear direction.

[0096] Then, in the state shown in Fig. 6B, waist portions 20, 30 are folded (folded back) toward the non-skin side (outside) starting from the finger (fingertip) placed on pattern 70. This results in waist portions 20, 30 being folded in half, as shown in Fig. 6C. Even in this case, because pattern 70 is visible from the skin side, it can be confirmed that the fold is at the position of pattern 70, as shown in Fig. 6C.

[0097] In addition, in this example (Figs. 6A to 6C), the waistline parts 20, 30 are folded back with the fingers placed on the parts (high rigidity parts) that overlap with the absorbent main body 10. This makes it easier to fold back the waistline parts 20, 30 compared to the case of Figs. 5A to 5C.

[0098] In this embodiment, the waist portions 20, 30 are folded back once at the position of the pattern 70, but this is not limited thereto, and they may be folded back (or rolled up) multiple times up to the position of the pattern 70.

[0099] In addition, in this embodiment, the waistline portions 20, 30 are folded back toward the skin side (outside), but this is not limited thereto and they may be folded back toward the skin side (inside). The pattern 70 is formed on the waistline portions 20, 30 toward the skin side and in each region in the left-right direction (right region RX, center region RY, left region RZ), so that the waistline portions 20, 30 can be folded back toward the skin side at the position of the pattern 70 (appropriate position).

[0100] Furthermore, in the diaper 1 of this embodiment, the pattern 70 is provided on both the ventral waistline portion 20 and the back waistline portion 30, but the pattern 70 may be provided on either the ventral waistline portion 20 or the back waistline portion 30. However, if the pattern 70 is provided on both portions, when folding back the waistline portions 20, 30 as shown in Figures 6A to 6C, the folding positions of the ventral waistline portion 20 and the back waistline portion 30 can be recognized. Furthermore, when folding back the waistline portions 20, 30, the positions where the fingers of the right hand and the fingers of the left hand should be placed can be reminded, respectively.

[0101] === Second Embodiment === 7 is a schematic perspective view of a pants-type diaper 1A of a second embodiment (hereinafter also referred to as "diaper 1A") The same components as those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0102] The diaper 1A of the second embodiment has a pattern 71 provided on the waist portions 20, 30. The pattern 71 is provided by, for example, joining a colored rectangular sheet to the non-skin side of the waist portions 20, 30.

[0103] A pair of patterns 71 are provided at both lateral ends of the waist portions 20, 30 of the diaper 1A (the right end of the right region RX and the left end of the left region RZ in FIG. 2). In other words, the patterns 71 are not provided in the central region RY of the waist portions 20, 30 (they do not straddle the lateral center of the waist portions 20, 30). Therefore, the patterns 71 are shorter in the lateral direction than the patterns 70 of the first embodiment. However, the patterns 71 also have a horizontally elongated shape in which the lateral length is longer than the vertical length.

[0104] In the vertical direction, the pair of patterns 71 are each arranged in a middle region RC. In addition, in the middle region RC, no pattern identical to the pattern 71 is provided between an imaginary line that passes through the right end of each pattern 71 in the vertical direction and an imaginary line that passes through the left end in the vertical direction. This allows the user to recognize the folding positions when folding back the waistband portions 20, 30. Also, the positions for placing the fingers of the right hand and the fingers of the left hand can be respectively recalled.

[0105] Furthermore, the pair of patterns 71 each straddles the center position FP in the vertical direction of the waistline portions 20, 30. In other words, the pair of patterns 71 at least partially overlap in the vertical direction. This allows both side portions of the waistline portions 20, 30 to be folded back at the same position, and the folding positions of the waistline portions 20, 30 can be aligned.

[0106] The pair of patterns 71 may be provided on at least one of the ventral waistline portion 20 and the back waistline portion 30. As described above, the pair of patterns 71 are arranged on both left-right ends of the waistline portions 20, 30 (the right end of the right region RX and the left end of the left region RZ), but this is not limitative, and the patterns 71 may be arranged in each of the right region RX and the left region RZ (they do not have to be at the ends).

[0107] Other arrangements and configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described. In the second embodiment, it is also desirable that the design 71 be visible from the skin side (visible from both the skin side and the non-skin side).

[0108] When folding the waist portions 20, 30, the waist portions 20, 30 can be folded back (folded in half) by grasping both left and right side portions in the same manner as in Figures 5A to 5C, placing the fingers of the right hand on one of the pair of patterns 71 and the fingers of the left hand on the other.

[0109] In the second embodiment, the provision of the pattern 71 also makes it easier for the wearer to remember where to place their fingers when folding back the waist portions 20, 30, and makes it easier for them to recognize the folding positions.

[0110] The method of forming the pattern 71 is not limited to the above. For example, the pattern sheets (ventral pattern sheet 70A, dorsal pattern sheet 70B) of the first embodiment may be colored only in the portion of the pattern 71. Furthermore, the pattern 71 may be formed by printing or dyeing the sheets (ventral exterior back sheet 21, dorsal exterior back sheet 31, etc.) that constitute the waistband portions 20, 30.

[0111] <Modification> 8 is a schematic perspective view of a pants-type diaper 1A' according to a modification of the second embodiment, which is provided with a pattern 71'.

[0112] While the pattern 71 in the second embodiment was rectangular, the pattern 71' in this modified example is triangular. Furthermore, the length of each of the pair of patterns 71' in the left-right direction is longer than the length (maximum length) in the up-down direction, and the length in the up-down direction decreases from the outer side to the inner side in the left-right direction (the apex of the triangle is located at the innermost point). This makes it easier to recognize the folding position.

[0113] ===Third Embodiment=== 9 is a schematic perspective view of a pants-type diaper 1B (hereinafter also referred to as "diaper 1B") according to a third embodiment. The same components as those in the above-described embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0114] The diaper 1B of the third embodiment has a pattern 72 provided on the waist portions 20, 30.

[0115] The pattern 72 has the same shape (horizontally elongated rectangular shape) as the pattern 71 of the second embodiment. Although not shown in the drawings, a pair of patterns 72 is provided on the ventral waist portion 20 and the back waist portion 30 of the diaper 1A. The pair of patterns 72 is disposed in the central region RY (see FIG. 2) of each of the waist portions 20, 30, straddling the center of the waist portions 20, 30 in the left-right direction. Furthermore, in the vertical direction, the pair of patterns 72 is disposed in the intermediate region RC, straddling the central position FP of the waist portions 20, 30 in the up-down direction. In other words, the pair of patterns 72 at least partially overlap each other in the up-down direction.

[0116] The pattern 72 in the third embodiment is provided on the skin side of the waistband portions 20, 30 (visible from the skin side). For example, a sheet (not shown) on which the pattern 72 is formed is joined to the skin side of the folded-back portion 21r (see FIG. 3) of the ventral exterior backsheet 21. Also, a sheet (not shown) on which the pattern 72 is formed is joined to the skin side of the folded-back portion 31r of the dorsal exterior backsheet 31. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the pattern 72 may be formed, for example, by printing or dyeing a part of the folded-back portions 21r, 31r.

[0117] Furthermore, in the vertical direction, the pattern 72 overlaps with the absorbent main body 10 but does not overlap with the absorbent core 11. The overlapping of the pattern 72 with the absorbent main body 10 increases rigidity at the position of the pattern 72. This makes it easier to determine the position for folding the waistband portions 20, 30. Furthermore, since the pattern 72 does not overlap with the absorbent core 11, it is possible to prevent the thickness of the absorbent core 11 from making it difficult to fold.

[0118] In the case of this third embodiment, the waist portions 20, 30 can be folded back in the same manner as in Figures 6A to 6C of the first embodiment. In this case, for example, the wearer can place the thumb of their right hand on one of the patterns 72 and the thumb of their left hand on the other pattern 72, and then fold back the waist portions 20, 30. The provision of the patterns 72 makes it easier for the wearer to remember where to place their fingers when folding back the waist portions 20, 30, and makes it easier for them to recognize the folding positions.

[0119] ===Other embodiments=== Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above embodiments are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, 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.

[0120] In the above-described embodiment, no post-treatment tape is provided on the waistband portions 20, 30, but a post-treatment tape (not shown) may be provided. The post-treatment tape is a substantially rectangular tape-like member (tape member) that is elongated in the vertical direction (longitudinal direction) for rolling up and holding the rolled-up diaper 1 when the used diaper 1 is disposed of, and is provided on the non-skin-side surface of the back waistband portion 30 in the folded state. However, it is desirable that the post-treatment tape does not overlap with the pattern that serves as a guide when folding back the waistband portions 20, 30. [Explanation of symbols]

[0121] 1, 1A, 1B Pants-type diaper (pants-type absorbent article), 3 Leakage prevention wall section, 10 absorbent body, 11 absorbent core, 12 top sheet, 13 back sheet, 14 Side sheet, 15 Core wrap, 16 leak-proof wall elastic member, 17 joint, 20 ventral waist portion, 20a upper end, 21 ventral exterior back sheet, 21r folded part, 23 Elastic member, 30 back waist portion, 30a upper end, 31 rear exterior back seat, 31r folded part, 33 Elastic member, 34 Rear leg elastic member, 40 exterior body, 41 exterior top sheet, 70,71,71',72 Designs, 70A Ventral pattern sheet, 70B back pattern sheet, BH The opening of the trunk, LH The opening of the legs, SS サイド joint part, RU upper area, RC middle area, RD lower area, RX right area, RY center area, RZ left area,

Claims

1. The vertical direction, the horizontal direction, and the front-rear direction are perpendicular to each other, an absorbent main body, a waist portion having a ventral waist portion and a dorsal waist portion; Equipped with A pants-type absorbent article in which the ventral waist portion and the back waist portion are joined by a pair of side joining portions, A pattern is provided to serve as an indication for folding the waist portion toward the skin or away from the skin, The pattern is visible from the skin side or the non-skin side, The length of the pattern in the left-right direction is longer than the length of the pattern in the up-down direction, When the waist portion is divided into three equal parts in the vertical direction, the uppermost region is an upper region, the lowermost region is a lower region, and the region between the upper region and the lower region is an intermediate region, At least a portion of the design is disposed in the intermediate region, In the intermediate region, when the region sandwiched between a virtual line passing through one end of the left-right direction of the pattern and along the up-down direction and a virtual line passing through the other end of the left-right direction of the pattern and along the up-down direction is defined as a pattern existence region, A pants-type absorbent article, characterized in that the pattern area does not have any other pattern identical to the pattern other than the pattern.

2. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1, The pattern is visible from both the skin side and the non-skin side. A pants-type absorbent article characterized by:

3. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1, The entire design is disposed in the intermediate region. A pants-type absorbent article characterized by:

4. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 3, In the vertical direction, the pattern straddles the center position of the waistband portion. A pants-type absorbent article characterized by:

5. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1, The absorbent body has an absorbent core, In the vertical direction, the pattern overlaps with the absorbent main body but does not overlap with the absorbent core. A pants-type absorbent article characterized by:

6. The pants-type absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 5, In the left-right direction, when the waistline portion is divided into three equal parts, the rightmost region is a right region, the leftmost region is a left region, and the region between the right region and the left region is a central region, the pattern is present in each of the right region, the central region, and the left region. A pants-type absorbent article characterized by:

7. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 6, The pattern is continuous from the left region to the right region. A pants-type absorbent article characterized by:

8. The pants-type absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 5, In the left-right direction, the pattern straddles the center of the waistband portion. A pants-type absorbent article characterized by:

9. The pants-type absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The pattern is provided on both the ventral waist portion and the back waist portion, A pants-type absorbent article characterized by:

10. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 9, In the vertical direction, the pattern of the ventral waist portion and the pattern of the back waist portion are at least partially overlapped. A pants-type absorbent article characterized by:

11. The pants-type absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 5, In the left-right direction, when the waistline portion is divided into three equal parts, the rightmost region is a right region, the leftmost region is a left region, and the region between the right region and the left region is a central region, The pattern is arranged in the right region and the left region of at least one of the ventral waistline portion and the back waistline portion, A pants-type absorbent article characterized by:

12. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 11, In the vertical direction, the design in the right region and the design in the left region at least partially overlap each other. A pants-type absorbent article characterized by:

13. The pants-type absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 5, In the vertical direction, when the center of the pattern is the reference position, The force for extending the vertical unit width of the region above the reference position of the waist portion by a unit length in the left-right direction is a force greater than the force for extending a unit length in the left-right direction in the vertical unit width of a region below the reference position of the waistline portion; A pants-type absorbent article characterized by:

14. The pants-type absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The waist portion is a plurality of elastic members arranged at intervals in the up-down direction and each of which is stretchable in the left-right direction; The pattern overlaps at least two of the elastic members. A pants-type absorbent article characterized by:

15. The pants-type absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The waist portion is a plurality of elastic members arranged at intervals in the up-down direction and each of which is stretchable in the left-right direction; two sheets sandwiching the plurality of elastic members; and The pattern is formed on a sheet separate from the two sheets. A pants-type absorbent article characterized by:

Images