Underpants-type absorbent article

Abstract

To provide an underpants-type absorbent article capable of effectively suppressing leakage of urine.SOLUTION: An underpants-type absorbent article 1 includes a topsheet 21, a backsheet 22, and an absorbent core 31. In a portion of the absorbent core 31 included in a crotch region 1c, a first concave portion 311 and a second concave portion 312 are provided on both sides sandwiching a center line CL1 of an absorbent body 23 in a widthwise direction X. The first concave portion 311 includes a first partial 31c satisfying a dimensional relationship in which a first distance 311c between a first side edge D1 of the absorbent core 31 in the widthwise direction X and the first partial 311c included in the first concave portion 311 is longer than a length L of the first concave portion 311 in a longitudinal direction Y. A second concave portion 312 includes a second partial 312c satisfying a dimensional relationship in which a second distance D2 between a second side edge 31d of the absorbent core 31 in the widthwise direction X and the second partial 312c included in the second concave portion 312 is longer than the length L of the second concave portion 312 in the longitudinal direction Y.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent document 1 describes an absorbent article having an absorbent body in which a pair of first grooves is formed in an area corresponding to the wearer's groin and a pair of second grooves is formed in an area corresponding to the wearer's urethral opening. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-126122 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the absorbent article described above, the formation of a pair of second grooves causes the central portion of the absorbent body between the pair of second grooves to be pulled up toward the urethral opening, thereby improving the absorbent body's adhesion. However, depending on the wearer's movements or the amount of urine excreted by the wearer, the absorbent body may sag, in which case the pulled-up state of the central portion of the absorbent body may not be maintained. Furthermore, the way the wearer wears the absorbent article does not necessarily ensure that the absorbent body's adhesion state is maintained. Furthermore, because the absorbent article described above is specialized in absorbing urine using the central portion of the absorbent body pulled up toward the urethral opening, it may not be able to effectively address urinary incontinence in various situations in the wearer's life.

[0005] An object of one aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a pants-type absorbent article that can effectively prevent urine leakage. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A pants-type absorbent article according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a pants-type absorbent article comprising an outer body and an inner body fixed to the inside of the outer body, and having a ventral region located on the ventral side of a wearer when worn, a dorsal region located on the dorsal side of the wearer when worn, and a crotch region located between the ventral region and the dorsal region, arranged along the longitudinal direction, the outer body having a waist opening through which the wearer's torso is passed, and a pair of leg openings through which the wearer's legs are passed, the inner body comprising a liquid-permeable top sheet located on the skin-facing side of the wearer when worn, a liquid-impermeable back sheet located on the non-skin-facing side of the wearer when worn, and an absorbent body disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet and serving as an absorbent core for absorbing the wearer's excrement, the absorbent core having a first side edge located on one side in a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and a second side edge located on the other side in the width direction, and a portion of the absorbent core included in the crotch region has a center of the absorbent body in the width direction a pair of recesses are provided on both sides of a center line that passes through the absorbent core and is parallel to the longitudinal direction, each of the recesses extending in the longitudinal direction and having a thickness of the absorbent core in a thickness direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the width direction that is smaller than that of the surrounding area; the pair of recesses includes a first recess arranged on a first side edge side in the width direction with respect to the center line, and a second recess arranged on a second side edge side in the width direction with respect to the center line; the first recess extends toward the first side edge as it moves from a narrowest part where the distance between the first recess and the second recess in the width direction is smallest toward the ventral side; and the second recess extends toward the second side edge as it moves from the narrowest part toward the ventral side; the first recess includes at least a first part that satisfies a dimensional relationship in which a first distance between the first side edge in the width direction and a first part included in the first recess is longer than the length of the first recess in the longitudinal direction; and the second recess includes at least a second part that satisfies a dimensional relationship in which a second distance between the second side edge in the width direction and a second part included in the second recess is longer than the length of the second recess in the longitudinal direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, a pants-type absorbent article that can effectively prevent urine leakage can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a pants-type absorbent article according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the pants-type absorbent article as seen from the non-skin-facing side. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the pants-type absorbent article as seen from the skin-facing side. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of the pants-type absorbent article taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Figure 5] 4 is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of a pants-type absorbent article taken along line VV in Fig. 3. (A) is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the leakage-preventing gathers are erected, and (B) is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the leakage-preventing gathers are laid flat inward to the maximum extent. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of the pants-type absorbent article taken along line VI-VI in FIG. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing examples of the arrangement of recesses in an absorbent core. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing modified examples of the absorbent core. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a modified example of a pants-type absorbent article. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] At least the following aspects [1] to

[15] will become clear from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0010] [1] A pants-type absorbent article comprising an outer body and an inner body fixed to the inside of the outer body, and a ventral region located on the ventral side of a wearer when worn, a dorsal region located on the dorsal side of the wearer when worn, and a crotch region located between the ventral region and the dorsal region, arranged along the longitudinal direction, and the outer body having a waist opening through which the torso of the wearer passes and a pair of leg openings through which both legs of the wearer pass, The inner body is a liquid-permeable top sheet positioned on the skin side of the wearer when worn; a liquid-impermeable backsheet positioned on the non-skin-facing side of the wearer when worn; an absorbent body having an absorbent core disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet, the absorbent core absorbing excrement of the wearer, the absorbent core including a first side edge disposed on one side in a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and a second side edge disposed on the other side in the width direction; A portion of the absorbent core included in the crotch region is provided with a pair of recesses extending in the longitudinal direction on both sides of a center line passing through the center of the absorber in the width direction and parallel to the longitudinal direction, the recesses making the thickness of the absorbent core in a thickness direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the width direction smaller than that of the surrounding area, the pair of recesses includes a first recess disposed on the first side edge side in the width direction with respect to the center line, and a second recess disposed on the second side edge side in the width direction with respect to the center line, the first recessed portion extends from a narrowest portion where a distance between the first recessed portion and the second recessed portion in the width direction is smallest toward the ventral side toward the first side edge side, the second recessed portion extends from the narrowest portion toward the ventral side toward the second side edge, the first recess includes at least a first portion that satisfies a dimensional relationship in which a first distance between the first side edge in the width direction and a first portion included in the first recess is longer than a length of the first recess in the longitudinal direction, A pants-type absorbent article, wherein the second recess includes at least a second portion that satisfies a dimensional relationship in which a second distance between the second side edge in the width direction and the second portion included in the second recess is longer than the length of the second recess in the longitudinal direction.

[0011] The absorbent core of the pants-type absorbent article of [1] above has a first recess and a second recess on either side of the center line of the absorber, with the first recess extending toward the first side edge as it extends from the narrowest portion toward the ventral side, and the second recess extending toward the second side edge as it extends from the narrowest portion toward the ventral side. Providing such first and second recesses in the absorbent core allows the absorbent core to deform along the first and second recesses, thereby improving the fit of the absorbent core to the wearer's urethral meatus. The first recess includes at least a first portion that satisfies a dimensional relationship in which a first distance between the first side edge in the width direction and a first portion included in the first recess is longer than the length of the first recess in the longitudinal direction, and the second recess includes at least a second portion that satisfies a dimensional relationship in which a second distance between the second side edge in the width direction and a second portion included in the second recess is longer than the length of the second recess in the longitudinal direction. This allows the portion of the absorbent core between the first recess and the first side edge and the portion of the absorbent core between the second recess and the second side edge to be sufficiently wide relative to the longitudinal lengths of the first recess and the second recess. In other words, it is possible to suitably secure a portion of the absorbent core that is located outside the widthwise portion of the portion of the absorbent core between the first recess and the second recess (the close-fitting portion) that comes into close contact with the wearer's urethral opening. Therefore, even if the close-fitting portion is reduced due to sagging of the absorber caused by the wearer's movements or the weight of absorbed urine, or due to insufficient pulling up of the absorber when worn, urine leakage can be effectively prevented by the portion of the absorbent core that is located outside the close-fitting portion.

[0012] [2] the first portion includes a rear end of the first recess; The second portion includes a rear end portion of the second recess.

[0013] According to the configuration [2] above, it is possible to preferably secure portions of the absorbent core that are located widthwise outside the back end of the first recess and the back end of the second recess. As a result, for example, when the back end of the first recess and the back end of the second recess are relatively close to the wearer's urethral opening while the diaper is being worn, urine leakage can be preferably suppressed by the absorbent core that is located widthwise outside the back end of the first recess and the back end of the second recess.

[0014] [3] The first portion includes a first region that is a rear region when the first recess is divided into two equal parts in the longitudinal direction, The pants-type absorbent article of [1] or [2], wherein the second portion includes a second region that is a rear region when the second recess is divided into two equal parts in the longitudinal direction.

[0015] According to the above-mentioned configuration [3], it is possible to preferably secure the portions of the absorbent core that are located widthwise outside the first and second regions. As a result, for example, when the first and second regions are relatively close to the wearer's urethral opening while the diaper is being worn, the absorbent core that is located widthwise outside the first and second regions can preferably suppress urine leakage.

[0016] [4] A pants-type absorbent article according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein, on any straight line passing through the first portion and the second portion and parallel to the width direction, each of the first distance and the second distance is longer than the distance between the first recess and the second recess in the width direction.

[0017] According to the configuration [4] above, the width of the portions of the absorbent core that are on the outer side in the width direction of each of the first recess and the second recess can be made sufficiently wider than the width of the close-contact portion between the first recess and the second recess. Therefore, the portions of the absorbent core that are on the outer side in the width direction of the close-contact portion can be more suitably secured, and thus urine leakage can be effectively suppressed by these portions.

[0018] [5] The pants-type absorbent article of any one of [1] to [4], wherein each of the first distance and the second distance is 1.5 times or more the distance of the narrowest part in the width direction.

[0019] According to the configuration [5] above, the width of the portions of the absorbent core that are on the outer side in the width direction of each of the first recess and the second recess can be made sufficiently wider than the width of the narrowest part between the first recess and the second recess. Therefore, the portions of the absorbent core that are on the outer side in the width direction of the close-fitting portion can be more suitably secured, and thus urine leakage can be effectively suppressed by these portions.

[0020] [6] A pants-type absorbent article according to any one of [1] to [5], further comprising a first stretchable member included in the crotch region of the absorbent core and adapted to stretch at least a portion along the center line in the longitudinal direction.

[0021] According to the above-mentioned configuration [6], sagging of the contact portion of the absorbent core can be suppressed, and the contact of the absorbent core with the wearer's urethral opening can be effectively improved. This allows urine to be effectively absorbed by the portion of the absorbent core between the first recess and the second recess. As a result, the amount of urine that spreads outside the first recess and the second recess can be reduced, and urine leakage can be more effectively suppressed.

[0022] [7] A pants-type absorbent article according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein a third recess is provided in a portion of the absorbent core included in the crotch region, the third recess extending along the center line and making the thickness of the absorbent core in the thickness direction smaller than that of the surrounding area.

[0023] According to the configuration [7] above, urine excreted by the wearer can be suitably dispersed in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent core along the third recess, thereby improving the urine absorption efficiency of the absorbent core. Furthermore, since the absorbent core is deformable along the third recess, the absorbent core can be more closely fitted to the wearer's urethral opening. This allows urine to be effectively absorbed by the portion of the absorbent core between the first recess and the second recess. As a result, the amount of urine spreading outside the first recess and the second recess can be reduced, thereby more effectively preventing urine leakage.

[0024] [8] The absorbent core further includes a pair of first elastic members that are included in the crotch region and that stretch at least a portion of the absorbent core along the center line in the longitudinal direction; The pants-type absorbent article of [7], wherein the pair of first stretchable members are arranged along both side edges of the third recess in the width direction.

[0025] According to the configuration [8] above, the portion of the absorbent core that is aligned with the third recess can be pulled up toward the skin side by the expansion and contraction of the pair of first elastic members, thereby more effectively improving the adhesion of the absorbent core to the wearer's urethral opening. This allows urine to be more effectively absorbed by the portion of the absorbent core between the first and second recesses. As a result, the amount of urine that spreads outside the first and second recesses can be reduced, thereby more effectively preventing urine leakage.

[0026] [9] A pair of leak-proof gathers are provided on both sides of the absorbent body in the width direction, and are configured so that both ends in the longitudinal direction are fixed and the portion between the both ends can stand up by contracting in the longitudinal direction, A pants-type absorbent article according to any one of [1] to [8], wherein when the leak-proof gathers are folded inward in the width direction, at the center position of the absorbent body in the longitudinal direction, the first side edge and the second side edge of the absorbent core are each located outside in the width direction more than the top of the leak-proof gathers.

[0027] According to the above configuration [9], by forming the absorbent core to have a wider shape than the leak-proof gathers, the effect of the absorbent core in preventing side leakage of body exudates can be enhanced.

[0028]

[10] The pants-type absorbent article according to any one of [1] to [9], wherein the absorbent core is formed to have a substantially uniform width over the entire area in the longitudinal direction.

[0029] According to the above configuration

[10] , the absorbent core does not have a constricted shape and is formed wide over the entire longitudinal area, thereby improving the effect of preventing side leakage.

[0030]

[11] A pants-type absorbent article according to any one of [1] to

[10] , wherein a pair of fourth recesses are further provided in the portion of the absorbent core included in the crotch region, the fourth recesses extending along the longitudinal direction and being located outside the first recess and the second recess in the width direction, and the thickness of the absorbent core in the thickness direction being smaller than the surrounding area.

[0031] According to the above-mentioned configuration

[11] , the absorbent core is deformable along the fourth recess, thereby improving the fit of the absorbent core around the wearer's legs, thereby effectively reducing discomfort felt by the wearer.

[0032]

[12] A pants-type absorbent article according to any one of [1] to

[11] , wherein the outer body includes a non-adhesive region that overlaps with more than half of each of the first part and the second part when viewed from the thickness direction and is not adhered to the inner body.

[0033] According to the above configuration

[12] , it is possible to reduce the influence of the exterior body on the deformation of the absorbent core along the first recess and the second recess.

[0034]

[13] The absorbent core in the crotch region is further provided with a fifth recess located on the first side edge side in the width direction relative to the center line, extending along the longitudinal direction and having a thickness of the absorbent core in the thickness direction that is smaller than that of the surrounding area, and a sixth recess located on the second side edge side in the width direction relative to the center line, extending along the longitudinal direction and having a thickness of the absorbent core in the thickness direction that is smaller than that of the surrounding area, A pants-type absorbent article according to any one of [1] to

[12] , wherein, on any straight line passing through the fifth recess and the sixth recess and parallel to the width direction, the distance between the first side edge and the fifth recess in the width direction, and the distance between the second side edge and the sixth recess in the width direction are each longer than the distance between the fifth recess and the sixth recess in the width direction.

[0035] According to the configuration

[13] above, the absorbent core is deformable along the fifth and sixth recesses, thereby further improving the adhesion of the absorbent core to the wearer's urethral meatus. Furthermore, the width of the portions of the absorbent core that are on the widthwise outer side of the fifth and sixth recesses can be made sufficiently wider than the width of the portion (the close-fitting portion) between the fifth and sixth recesses. This makes it possible to more appropriately secure the portion of the absorbent core that is on the widthwise outer side of the close-fitting portion. Therefore, urine can be effectively absorbed by the portion of the absorbent core between the fifth and sixth recesses, and urine leakage can be more effectively prevented by the portions of the absorbent core that are on the widthwise outer side of the fifth and sixth recesses.

[0036]

[14] A pants-type absorbent article according to any one of [1] to

[13] , further comprising a second stretchable member that is adhered to the outer casing so as to overlap each of the first portion and the second portion when viewed from the thickness direction, and that stretches in the width direction.

[0037] According to the configuration

[14] above, the adhesion to the wearer of the portion between the first side edge and the first portion and the portion between the second side edge and the second portion can be improved, so that urine can be effectively absorbed by the portion of the absorbent core between the first recess and the second recess, and urine leakage can be more effectively suppressed by the portions of the absorbent core that are widthwise outside the first recess and the second recess.

[0038]

[15] A pants-type absorbent article comprising an outer body and an inner body fixed to the inside of the outer body, and a ventral region located on the ventral side of a wearer when worn, a dorsal region located on the dorsal side of the wearer when worn, and a crotch region located between the ventral region and the dorsal region, arranged along the longitudinal direction, and the outer body having a waist opening through which the torso of the wearer passes and a pair of leg openings through which both legs of the wearer pass, The inner body is a liquid-permeable top sheet positioned on the skin side of the wearer when worn; a liquid-impermeable backsheet positioned on the non-skin-facing side of the wearer when worn; an absorbent body having an absorbent core disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet, the absorbent core absorbing excrement of the wearer, the absorbent core including a first side edge disposed on one side in a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and a second side edge disposed on the other side in the width direction; A portion of the absorbent core included in the crotch region is provided with a pair of recesses extending in the longitudinal direction on both sides of a center line passing through the center of the absorber in the width direction and parallel to the longitudinal direction, the recesses making the thickness of the absorbent core in a thickness direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the width direction smaller than that of the surrounding area, the pair of recesses includes a first recess disposed on the first side edge side in the width direction with respect to the center line, and a second recess disposed on the second side edge side in the width direction with respect to the center line, the first recessed portion extends from a narrowest portion where a distance between the first recessed portion and the second recessed portion in the width direction is smallest toward the ventral side toward the first side edge side, the second recessed portion extends from the narrowest portion toward the ventral side toward the second side edge, A pants-type absorbent article, wherein the area of ​​the region between the first recess and a portion of the first side edge facing the first recess in the width direction, and the area of ​​the region between the second recess and a portion of the second side edge facing the second recess in the width direction are each larger than the area of ​​the region between the first recess and the second recess.

[0039] The absorbent core of the pants-type absorbent article of

[15] above has a first recess and a second recess on both sides of the center line of the absorber, with the first recess extending toward the first side edge as it extends from the narrowest portion toward the ventral side, and the second recess extending toward the second side edge as it extends from the narrowest portion toward the ventral side. Providing such first and second recesses in the absorbent core allows the absorbent core to deform along the first and second recesses, thereby improving the fit of the absorbent core to the wearer's urethral opening. Furthermore, the area of ​​the region between the first recess and the portion of the first side edge facing the first recess, and the area of ​​the region between the second recess and the portion of the second side edge facing the second recess, are both larger than the area of ​​the region between the first recess and the second recess. This allows the portion of the absorbent core between the first recess and the first side edge and the portion of the absorbent core between the second recess and the second side edge to be sufficiently larger than the portion between the first recess and the second recess. In other words, it is possible to suitably secure a portion of the absorbent core that is located on the outside in the width direction of the portion (close-fitting portion) between the first recess and the second recess that is in close contact with the wearer's urethral opening. Therefore, even if the close-fitting portion is reduced due to the wearer's movements or the weight of absorbed urine causing the absorber to sag, or due to the absorber not being pulled up sufficiently when worn, it is possible to effectively prevent urine leakage by the portion of the absorbent core that is located on the outside of the close-fitting portion.

[0040] [Embodiment] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same or equivalent elements will be designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations will be omitted. The drawings may be partially simplified or exaggerated for ease of understanding, and the dimensional proportions are not limited to those shown in the drawings.

[0041] A pants-type absorbent article 1 according to one embodiment will be described below. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the pants-type absorbent article 1. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the pants-type absorbent article 1 as seen from the non-skin-facing side Z2, and Fig. 3 is a plan view of the pants-type absorbent article 1 as seen from the skin-facing side Z1. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 3. Fig. 5(A) and Fig. 5(B) are schematic diagrams of the cross-sectional structure taken along line VV in Fig. 3. Fig. 5(A) schematically shows a state in which leakage-preventing gathers 25, which will be described later, are erected, and Fig. 5(B) schematically shows a state in which the leakage-preventing gathers 25 are laid inward to the maximum extent.

[0042] In the following description, a "wearer" refers to a person who wears the pants-type absorbent article 1. The "skin-facing side" is the side that faces the wearer's skin when the pants-type absorbent article 1 is worn by the wearer (hereinafter referred to as "worn state"). The "non-skin-facing side" is the side that faces away from the wearer's skin when worn. The "user" of the pants-type absorbent article 1 includes the wearer described above, as well as a helper (caregiver) who raises or looks after the wearer, who is a child or a person being cared for.

[0043] As shown in Fig. 1, as an example, the pants-type absorbent article 1 is a pants-type disposable diaper that absorbs urine and other body waste from a wearer. That is, the pants-type absorbent article 1 has a waist opening H1 through which the wearer's torso is passed, and a pair of leg openings H2 through which the wearer's legs are passed (Fig. 1 shows the leg opening H2 through which the left leg is passed). The pants-type absorbent article 1 is composed of an exterior body 10 that faces outward (non-skin-facing side Z2) when worn, and an interior body 20 fixed to the interior of the exterior body 10. The pants-type absorbent article 1 is configured to be cut by tearing a pair of side seal portions 10a of the exterior body 10 provided on both the left and right sides of the wearer.

[0044] 2 and 3 show the pants-type absorbent article 1 in an unfolded state in which the outer casing 10 is cut along a pair of side seal portions 10a and the pants-type absorbent article 1 is stretched to a state in which no wrinkles are formed. In the following explanation, unless otherwise specified, the shape and positional relationship of each part of the pants-type absorbent article 1 in the unfolded state will be described.

[0045] In the unfolded state, the pants-type absorbent article 1 extends in a width direction X and a longitudinal direction Y. The longitudinal direction Y is the direction in which the ventral region 1a, the crotch region 1c, and the back region 1b are aligned. In the unfolded state, the longitudinal direction Y is the direction in which the ventral region 1a and the back region 1b face each other with the crotch region 1c in between. The width direction X is a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Y, and corresponds to the left-right direction of the wearer when worn. The thickness direction Z is a direction perpendicular to both the width direction X and the longitudinal direction Y, and is the direction in which the outer body 10 and the inner body 20 overlap each other. In the following description, the side of the pants-type absorbent article 1 in the longitudinal direction Y where the ventral region 1a is located may be simply referred to as the "ventral side," and the side in the longitudinal direction Y where the back region 1b is located may be simply referred to as the "dorsal side."

[0046] In this embodiment, the ventral region 1a is defined as a portion of the pant-type absorbent article 1 in the unfolded state (see FIGS. 2 and 3) that is included in the range from the ventral end 10b of the exterior body 10 to the dorsal end of the dorsal side seal portion 10a. Similarly, the dorsal region 1b is defined as a portion of the pant-type absorbent article 1 in the unfolded state that is included in the range from the dorsal end 10c of the exterior body 10 to the dorsal end of the dorsal side seal portion 10a.

[0047] (Configuration of the exterior body) As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the exterior body 10 includes a main body sheet 11, a ventral-side sheet 12, and a back-side sheet 13. For example, the main body sheet 11 is a sheet member that defines the overall outer shape of the exterior body 10 when viewed in the thickness direction Z (hourglass-shaped in this embodiment). However, the configuration of the main body sheet 11 is not limited to the above. For example, the main body sheet 11 may have a so-called three-piece configuration, including two sheet members corresponding to the ventral side and the back side, and a sheet member disposed on the non-skin-facing side Z2 of the interior body 20. The ventral-side sheet 12 is disposed so as to overlap the main body sheet 11 in the ventral region 1a. The back-side sheet 13 is disposed so as to overlap the main body sheet 11 in the back region 1b. The main body sheet 11 is formed of, for example, an SMS nonwoven fabric. The ventral-side sheet 12 and the back-side sheet 13 are formed of, for example, a spunbond nonwoven fabric.

[0048] The ventral-side sheet 12 is folded back so as to sandwich the ventral end 11a of the main body sheet 11. That is, the ventral-side sheet 12 has an inner portion 121 located inside the main body sheet 11 (skin-facing side Z1) and an outer portion 122 located on the non-skin-facing side Z2 (outside) of the main body sheet 11.

[0049] The end 121a of the folded inner portion 121 is located on the dorsal side of the ventral end 20a of the inner body 20 and on the ventral side of the ventral end 31a of the absorbent core 31 contained in the inner body 20.

[0050] The end 122a of the folded outer portion 122 is positioned further toward the back than the end 121a of the inner portion 121. A plurality of (19 in this embodiment) abdominal stretch members 14 are arranged along the longitudinal direction Y between the outer portion 122 and the main body sheet 11 in the abdominal region 1a. As shown in FIG. 2, each abdominal stretch member 14 extends parallel to the width direction X between the edges 1d in the width direction X of the abdominal region 1a of the pants-type absorbent article 1. Therefore, the abdominal waist portion of the exterior body 10 stretches in the width direction X while fitting around the waist of the wearer. The plurality of abdominal stretch members 14 are made of an elastic material such as rubber thread or spandex.

[0051] The back-side sheet 13 is folded back so as to sandwich the back-side end portion 11b of the main body sheet 11. That is, the back-side sheet 13 has an inner portion 131 located inside the main body sheet 11 (skin-facing side Z1) and an outer portion 132 located outside the main body sheet 11 (non-skin-facing side Z2).

[0052] The end 131a of the folded inner portion 131 is located on the ventral side of the dorsal end 20b of the inner body 20 and on the dorsal side of the dorsal end 31b of the absorbent core 31 contained in the inner body 20.

[0053] An end 132a of the folded outer portion 132 is positioned closer to the ventral side than an end 131a of the inner portion 131. A plurality of (fifteen in this embodiment) back stretchable members 15 are arranged in the longitudinal direction Y between the outer portion 132 and the main body sheet 11 in the back region 1b. As shown in FIG. 2, each back stretchable member 15 extends parallel to the width direction X between the edges 1e in the width direction X of the back region 1b of the pants-type absorbent article 1. Therefore, like the ventral waist portion provided with the above-mentioned abdominal stretchable members 14, the back waist portion of the exterior body 10 also stretches in the width direction X while fitting to the waist of the wearer. The plurality of back stretchable members 15 are made of an elastic material such as rubber thread or spandex.

[0054] Between the outer portion 132 and the main body sheet 11, a plurality of (three in this embodiment) leg-hole elastic members 16 are arranged along the longitudinal direction Y, closer to the ventral side than the plurality of back-hole elastic members 15. As shown in FIG. 2, each leg-hole elastic member 16 extends in the width direction X between the edges 1e of the back region 1b of the pants-type absorbent article 1, and includes a portion that extends in a curved shape along the edge of the back portion of each of the pair of leg openings H2. The plurality of leg-hole elastic members 16 allow the exterior body 10 to stretch to fit around the legs of the wearer. The plurality of leg-hole elastic members 16 are made of an elastic material, such as rubber thread or spandex.

[0055] The inner portion 121 of the ventral sheet 12 and the inner body 20 are bonded to each other by a hot melt adhesive (not shown) arranged between the inner portion 121 and the inner body 20. The outer portion 122 of the ventral sheet 12 and the main body sheet 11 are bonded to each other by a hot melt adhesive (not shown) arranged between the outer portion 122 and the main body sheet 11, so as to sandwich the plurality of abdominal elastic members 14. Similarly, the inner portion 131 of the back sheet 13 and the inner body 20 are bonded to each other by a hot melt adhesive (not shown) arranged between the inner portion 131 and the inner body 20. The outer portion 132 of the back sheet 13 and the main body sheet 11 are bonded to each other by a hot melt adhesive (not shown) arranged between the outer portion 132 and the main body sheet 11, so as to sandwich the plurality of back elastic members 15 and the plurality of leg elastic members 16. Furthermore, the main body sheet 11 and the inner body 20 are bonded to each other by a hot melt adhesive (not shown) disposed between the main body sheet 11 and the inner body 20 (back sheet 22). By joining the various components together as described above, the pants-type absorbent article 1 has a configuration in which the outer body 10 and the inner body 20 are integrally joined. As will be described later, the outer body 10 includes a non-adhesive region 10d (see FIG. 3) that is not adhered to the inner body 20.

[0056] (Interior body configuration) 2, 3, 5, and 6, the inner body 20 has a rectangular shape that extends in the longitudinal direction Y and the width direction X when viewed in the thickness direction Z, with the length in the longitudinal direction Y being longer than the length in the width direction X. The inner body 20 has a topsheet 21, a backsheet 22, an absorbent body 23, and a pair of side sheets 24.

[0057] The topsheet 21 is located on the skin-facing side Z1 of the wearer when worn, and forms the surface that comes into contact with the wearer's skin. The topsheet 21 is made of a liquid-permeable (water-permeable) nonwoven fabric such as a spunbond nonwoven fabric, and covers the absorbent body 23 from the skin-facing side Z1. Typically, the topsheet 21 is plain white. The topsheet 21 is adhered to the surface of the skin-facing side Z1 of the absorbent body 23 (white tissue 32, described below) by, for example, a hot melt adhesive (not shown).

[0058] The back sheet 22 is a sheet that is positioned on the non-skin-facing side Z2 of the wearer when the garment is worn. Specifically, the back sheet 22 is positioned on the opposite side of the top sheet 21 with the absorbent body 23 sandwiched between them. The back sheet 22 is made of, for example, a liquid-impermeable (water-impermeable) film, and covers the absorbent body 23 from the non-skin-facing side Z2. The back sheet 22 is adhered to the surface of the non-skin-facing side Z2 of the absorbent body 23 by, for example, a hot melt adhesive (not shown).

[0059] The absorbent body 23 is disposed between the topsheet 21 and the backsheet 22 of the inner body 20. As shown in FIG. 5, the absorbent body 23 includes an absorbent core 31 that absorbs the wearer's excrement, such as urine, that has passed through the topsheet 21, and a pair of white tissues 32 that cover the skin-facing side Z1 of the absorbent core 31. The width (length in the width direction X) of the absorbent body 23 (absorbent core 31) is approximately the same as the width of the inner body 20. The length (length in the longitudinal direction Y) of the absorbent body 23 (absorbent core 31) is slightly shorter than the length of the inner body 20. Specifically, the ventral end 31a of the absorbent core 31 is located closer to the back than the ventral end 20a of the inner body 20 (topsheet 21, etc.). Furthermore, the back end 31b of the absorbent core 31 is located closer to the back than the back end 20b of the inner body 20 (topsheet 21, etc.).

[0060] The absorbent core 31 is layered on the backsheet 22. The absorbent core 31 contains, for example, pulp fibers and a superabsorbent polymer (SAP) and absorbs the wearer's urine. The pulp used in the absorbent core 31 may be, for example, chemical pulp, cellulose fiber, rayon, acetate, or other cellulose fibers. The superabsorbent polymer may be, for example, a starch-based, acrylic acid-based, or amino acid-based particulate or fibrous polymer.

[0061] The pair of white tissues 32 are arranged to cover the skin-facing side Z1 of the absorbent core 31. As an example, the pair of white tissues 32 extend from the outer edges of the absorbent core 31 in the width direction X to the center in the width direction X, and are arranged to overlap each other in the center in the width direction X. When viewed from the thickness direction Z, each of the pair of white tissues 32 is formed in a rectangular shape extending from the ventral end 31a to the dorsal end 31b of the absorbent core 31. In other words, the edge of each white tissue 32 in the longitudinal direction Y overlaps the edge of the absorbent core 31 in the longitudinal direction Y (the ventral end 31a and the dorsal end 31b).

[0062] The pair of side sheets 24 are located at the ends of the inner body 20 in the width direction X. The pair of side sheets 24 form a pair of leakage-preventing gathers 25 for preventing leakage of excrement, such as urine, excreted by the wearer in the width direction X (side leakage). The pair of leakage-preventing gathers 25 are provided on both sides of the absorbent body 23 in the width direction X, fixed at both ends in the longitudinal direction Y (fixed areas FA), and configured to be able to stand up by contracting the portion between the fixed areas FA in the longitudinal direction Y. As an example, the leakage-preventing gathers 25 have a structure in which multiple (e.g., four) elastic members 26 extending in the longitudinal direction Y are arranged inside the side sheets 24 folded into a bag shape. Note that FIG. 3 illustrates only one elastic member 26 out of the four elastic members 26 included in each leakage-preventing gather 25 shown in FIG. 5. When this elastic member 26 contracts in the longitudinal direction Y, the portion of the side sheets 24 arranged between the fixed areas FA functions as the leakage-preventing gathers 25. The elastic member 26 is made of an elastic material such as rubber thread or flat rubber.

[0063] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 , a portion of the absorbent core 31 included in the crotch region 1c is provided with a pair of recesses 310 on both sides of the centerline CL1, each extending in the longitudinal direction Y and having a thickness in the thickness direction Z that is smaller than that of the surrounding area. As an example, the recesses 310 may be formed by layering materials (e.g., SAP, pulp) that constitute the absorbent core 31 only in an area on the backsheet 22 excluding a partial area (an area where the recesses 310 are to be formed). In this case, the recesses 310 are areas where the materials that constitute the absorbent core 31 are not present and the absorbent core 31 has no thickness (i.e., a thickness of 0). Alternatively, the recesses 310 may be areas where the materials that constitute the absorbent core 31 are arranged, but where the amount of materials is less than that of other portions of the absorbent core 31 (portions other than the recesses), resulting in a thickness that is smaller than that of the other portions.

[0064] The pair of recesses 310 includes a first recess 311 and a second recess 312. The first recess 311 is disposed on the first side edge 31c side of the absorbent core 31 disposed on one side in the width direction X with respect to the center line CL1. The second recess 312 is disposed on the second side edge 31d side of the absorbent core 31 disposed on the other side in the width direction X with respect to the center line CL1. The first recess 311 extends toward the first side edge 31c as it moves toward the ventral side from the narrowest portion 310a, where the distance between the first recess 311 and the second recess 312 in the width direction X is smallest. The second recess 312 extends toward the second side edge 31d as it moves toward the ventral side from the narrowest portion 310a. In this embodiment, the narrowest portion 310a is composed of a back-side end 311a of the first recess 311 and a back-side end 312a of the second recess 312. The first recess 311 has a bow shape in which the dorsal end 311a is located at the innermost side in the width direction X and the ventral end 311b of the first recess 311 is located at the outermost side in the width direction X. The second recess 312 has a bow shape in which the dorsal end 312a is located at the innermost side in the width direction X and the ventral end 312b of the second recess 312 is located at the outermost side in the width direction X.

[0065] The pair of recesses 310 are disposed at positions corresponding to the groin of the wearer when the garment is worn. Specifically, the majority (all in this embodiment) of the pair of recesses 310 are disposed in the region closest to the ventral side when the crotch region 1c is divided into four equal parts in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 7 , the first recess 311 includes a first portion 311c. In the first portion 311c, a dimensional relationship is satisfied in which a first distance D1 between the first side edge 31c and the first portion 311c in the width direction X is longer than a length L of the first recess 311 in the longitudinal direction Y (i.e., "D1>L"). In other words, the distance between any part of the edge of the first portion 311c arranged on the first side edge 31c side and a part of the first side edge 31c that passes through that part and intersects with a line parallel to the width direction X is longer than the length L. In this embodiment, the first portion 311c includes a first region 311d, which is a region on the back side when the first recess 311 is bisected in the longitudinal direction Y. In this embodiment, as an example, the first portion 311c that satisfies the dimensional relationship (D1>L) substantially coincides with the first region 311d.

[0067] The second recess 312 includes a second portion 312c. In the second portion 312c, a dimensional relationship (i.e., "D2>L") is satisfied in which a second distance D2 between the second side edge 31d and the second portion 312c in the width direction X is longer than a length L of the second recess 312 in the longitudinal direction Y (in this embodiment, the lengths of the first recess 311 and the second recess 312 in the longitudinal direction Y are the same). In other words, the distance between any part of the edge of the second portion 312c arranged on the second side edge 31d side and a part of the second side edge 31d that passes through that part and intersects with a line parallel to the width direction X is longer than the length L. In this embodiment, the second portion 312c includes a second region 312d that is a region on the back side when the second recess 312 is bisected in the longitudinal direction Y. In this embodiment, as an example, the second portion 312c that satisfies the above dimensional relationship (D2>L) substantially coincides with the second region 312d.

[0068] The region between the first recess 311 and a portion 31c1 of the first side edge 31c facing the first recess 311 in the width direction X is defined as region R1. Region R1 is a region surrounded by the first side edge 31c, the first recess 311, a straight line SL1 that passes through the dorsal end 311a of the first recess 311 and is parallel to the width direction X, and a straight line SL2 that passes through the ventral end 311b of the first recess 311 and is parallel to the width direction X.

[0069] A region between the second recess 312 and a portion 31d1 of the second side edge 31d facing the second recess 312 in the width direction X is defined as region R2. Region R2 is a region surrounded by the second side edge 31d, the second recess 312, a straight line SL1 that passes through the dorsal end 312a of the second recess 312 and is parallel to the width direction X, and a straight line SL2 that passes through the ventral end 312b of the second recess 312 and is parallel to the width direction X. In this embodiment, both dorsal end portions 311a and 312a are arranged on the straight line SL1, and both ventral end portions 311b and 312b are arranged on the straight line SL2.

[0070] The region between the first recess 311 and the second recess 312 is defined as region R3. Region R3 is a region surrounded by the first recess 311, the second recess 312, the straight line SL1, and the straight line SL2.

[0071] The area A1 of region R1 and the area A2 of region R2 are each larger than the area A3 of region R3. In this embodiment, the area A1 of region R1 and the area A2 of region R2 are the same. That is, in this embodiment, the areas A1 to A3 of regions R1 to R3 satisfy the relationship "A1 = A2 > A3." The areas A1 to A3 are measured, for example, by image analysis. Here, each of regions R1 to R3 is formed in a substantially trapezoidal shape when viewed from the thickness direction Z. Therefore, if the distance between the dorsal end 311a of the first recess 311 and the first side edge 31c in the width direction X (corresponding to the length of the bottom side of region R1) is defined as distance D3, and the distance between the ventral end 311b of the first recess 311 and the first side edge 31c in the width direction X is defined as distance D4 (corresponding to the length of the top side of region R1), the area A1 of region R1 can be approximately calculated as "A1 ≒ (D3 + D4) × L / 2". Furthermore, if the distance between the dorsal end 312a of the second recess 312 and the second side edge 31d in the width direction X is defined as distance D5 (corresponding to the length of the lower side of region R2), and the distance between the ventral end 312b of the second recess 312 and the second side edge 31d in the width direction X is defined as distance D6 (corresponding to the length of the upper side of region R2), then the area A2 of region R2 can be approximately calculated as "A2 ≒ (D5 + D6) × L / 2". Furthermore, if the distance between the dorsal end 311a of the first recess 311 and the dorsal end 312a of the second recess 312 in the width direction X is defined as distance D7 (corresponding to the length of the lower side of region R3), and the distance between the ventral end 311b of the first recess 311 and the ventral end 312b of the second recess 312 in the width direction X is defined as distance D8 (corresponding to the length of the upper side of region R3), then the area A3 of region R3 is approximately calculated as "A3 ≈ (D7 + D8) × L / 2." In this embodiment, distance D7 is the distance of the narrowest portion 310a in the width direction X. From the above, the size relationships between the areas A1 to A3 of regions R1 to R3 described above ("A1 > A3" and "A2 > A3") can be rephrased as dimensional relationships in which "D3 + D4" and "D5 + D6" are each longer than "D7 + D8."

[0072] (Effects of pants-type absorbent article) 7 , the first recess 311 and the second recess 312 are provided in the absorbent core 31, and the absorbent core 31 is deformable along the first recess 311 and the second recess 312, thereby improving the adhesion of the absorbent core 31 to the wearer's urethral opening. Furthermore, in the first portion 311c included in the first recess 311, a dimensional relationship is satisfied in which the first distance D1 is longer than the length L of the first recess, and in the second portion 312c included in the second recess 312, a dimensional relationship is satisfied in which the second distance D2 is longer than the length L of the second recess 312. This allows the portion between the first recess 311 and the first side edge 31c of the absorbent core 31 (corresponding to region R1) and the portion between the second recess 312 and the second side edge 31d of the absorbent core 31 (corresponding to region R2) to be sufficiently wider than the length L of the first recess 311 and the second recess 312. That is, it is possible to suitably secure the portion of the absorbent core 31 that is located outside in the width direction X of the close-contact portion (corresponding to region R3) between the first recess 311 and the second recess 312 that are in close contact with the wearer's urethral opening. Therefore, even if the close contact of the close-contact portion decreases due to sagging of the absorber 23 caused by the wearer's movements or the weight of absorbed urine, or due to insufficient pulling up of the absorber 23 when worn, it is possible to effectively suppress urine leakage by the portions (regions R1 and R2) of the absorbent core 31 that are located outside the close-contact portion (region R3).

[0073] In the pants-type absorbent article 1, the area A1 of the region R1 and the area A2 of the region R2 are each larger than the area A3 of the region R3. This allows the area between the first recess 311 and the first side edge 31c of the absorbent core 31 (corresponding to the region R1) and the area between the second recess 312 and the second side edge 31d of the absorbent core 31 (corresponding to the region R2) to be made sufficiently larger than the area between the first recess 311 and the second recess 312 (corresponding to the region R3). Therefore, similar to the above-mentioned effects, urine leakage can be effectively suppressed.

[0074] In the pants-type absorbent article 1, the first portion 311c includes the back end 311a of the first recess 311, and the second portion 312c includes the back end 312a of the second recess 312. According to the above configuration, it is possible to preferably secure portions of the absorbent core 31 that are located outside the back end 311a of the first recess 311 and the back end 312a of the second recess 312 in the width direction X. As a result, for example, when the back end 311a of the first recess 311 and the back end 312a of the second recess 312 are relatively close to the urethral opening of the wearer when the absorbent article is worn, urine leakage can be preferably suppressed by the absorbent core 31 that is located outside the back end 311a of the first recess 311 and the back end 312a of the second recess 312 in the width direction X.

[0075] In the pants-type absorbent article 1, the first portion 311c includes a first region 311d that is a region on the back side when the first recess 311 is divided into two equal parts in the longitudinal direction Y, and the second portion 312c includes a second region 312d that is a region on the back side when the second recess 312 is divided into two equal parts in the longitudinal direction Y. That is, in the first region 311d, a dimensional relationship is satisfied in which the distance between the first side edge 31c and the first region 311d in the width direction X is longer than the length L of the first recess 311 in the longitudinal direction Y. In the second region 312d, a dimensional relationship is satisfied in which the distance between the second side edge 31d and the second region 312d in the width direction X is longer than the length L of the second recess 312 in the longitudinal direction Y. According to the above configuration, it is possible to suitably secure the portions of the absorbent core 31 that are located outside the first region 311d and the second region 312d in the width direction X (in this embodiment, the back portion of region R1 and the back portion of region R2). As a result, for example, when the first region 311d and the second region 312d are relatively close to the wearer's urethral opening when worn, it is possible to suitably suppress urine leakage by the absorbent core 31 that is located outside the first region 311d and the second region 312d in the width direction X.

[0076] In the pants-type absorbent article 1, on an arbitrary straight line OL1 that passes through the first portion 311c and the second portion 312c and is parallel to the width direction X, each of the first distance D1 and the second distance D2 is longer than the distance D9 between the first recess 311 and the second recess 312 in the width direction X. According to the above configuration, the width of the portions of the absorbent core 31 that are outside the width direction X of each of the first recess 311 and the second recess 312 can be made sufficiently wider than the width of the close-contact portion between the first recess 311 and the second recess 312. Therefore, the portions of the absorbent core 31 that are outside the close-contact portion in the width direction X can be more suitably secured, and thus urine leakage can be effectively suppressed by these portions.

[0077] In the pants-type absorbent article 1, each of the first distance D1 and the second distance D2 is 1.5 times or more the distance D7 of the narrowest portion 310a in the width direction X. According to the above configuration, the width of the portions of the absorbent core 31 outside the first recess 311 and the second recess 312 in the width direction X can be made sufficiently wider than the width of the narrowest portion 310a between the first recess 311 and the second recess 312. This makes it possible to more suitably secure the portions of the absorbent core 31 that are located outside the close-fitting portion in the width direction X, thereby effectively suppressing urine leakage. Note that, to further enhance the above effect, each of the first distance D1 and the second distance D2 may be set to be twice or more the distance D7.

[0078] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, a portion of the absorbent core 31 included in the crotch region 1c is provided with a third recess 313 extending in the longitudinal direction Y along the centerline CL1 and having a thickness in the thickness direction Z that is smaller than that of the surrounding area. As an example, the third recess 313, like the recess 310, can be formed by layering materials (e.g., SAP, pulp) constituting the absorbent core 31 only in a region of the backsheet 22 excluding a partial region (the region where the third recess 313 is to be formed). In this case, the third recess 313 is formed by a portion of the absorbent core 31 where no materials constituting the absorbent core 31 are present and the absorbent core 31 has no thickness (zero thickness). Alternatively, the third recess 313 may be a region where materials constituting the absorbent core 31 are disposed, but where the amount of materials is less than that of other portions of the absorbent core 31 (portions other than the recess), resulting in a thinner thickness than the other portions. The third recess 313 is positioned facing the wearer's urethral opening. In the present embodiment, the third recess 313 is disposed on the rear side of the first recess 311 and the second recess 312, and extends across the center line CL2 in the longitudinal direction Y. As an example, the third recess 313 is formed in a rectangular shape that is long in the longitudinal direction Y when viewed in the thickness direction Z.

[0079] According to the above configuration, urine excreted by the wearer (urine that has permeated the topsheet 21) can be suitably diffused along the third recesses 313 in the longitudinal direction Y of the absorbent core 31, thereby improving the urine absorption efficiency of the absorbent core 31. Furthermore, since the absorbent core 31 is deformable along the third recesses 313, the absorbent core 31 can be more tightly attached to the wearer's urethral opening. This allows urine to be effectively absorbed by the portion of the absorbent core 31 between the first recesses 311 and the second recesses 312. As a result, the amount of urine that spreads outward in the width direction X between the first recesses 311 and the second recesses 312 can be reduced, thereby more effectively preventing urine leakage.

[0080] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the inner body 20 has an elastic member 27 (first elastic member) that is included in the crotch region 1c of the absorbent core 31 and that stretches at least a portion of the absorbent core 31 along the centerline CL1 in the longitudinal direction Y. The elastic member 27 is made of an elastic material such as rubber thread or flat rubber, similar to the elastic member 26. In the present embodiment, as an example, the topsheet 21 described above is formed in a bag shape so as to cover the side surfaces of the absorbent core 31 and the non-skin-facing side Z2 of the backsheet 22. The elastic member 27 is fixed and disposed between the backsheet 22 and the topsheet 21 on the non-skin-facing side Z2 of the backsheet 22. This prevents sagging (i.e., movement away from the urethral opening) of the close-fitting portion of the absorbent core 31 (the portion that deforms along the third recess 313 so as to fit closely to the urethral opening), effectively improving the close-fitting of the absorbent core 31 to the wearer's urethral opening. As a result, the amount of urine that spreads outward in the width direction X of the first recess 311 and the second recess 312 can be reduced, so that urine leakage can be suppressed even more effectively.

[0081] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as an example, the elastic members 27 are arranged at positions corresponding to the third recesses 313 when viewed from the thickness direction Z (in this embodiment, positions along the edges of the third recesses 313). More specifically, a pair of elastic members 27, each extending in the longitudinal direction Y, are arranged along both side edges of the third recesses 313 in the width direction X. This more effectively prevents sagging (i.e., movement away from the urethral opening) of the close-fitting portions of the absorbent core 31 (portions that deform along the third recesses 313 to fit closely to the urethral opening), and more effectively improves the close-fitting of the absorbent core 31 to the wearer's urethral opening. This allows urine to be more effectively absorbed by the portions of the absorbent core 31 between the first recesses 311 and the second recesses 312. As a result, the amount of urine spreading outward in the width direction X between the first recesses 311 and the second recesses 312 can be reduced, thereby more effectively preventing urine leakage.

[0082] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 , a portion of the absorbent core 31 included in the crotch region 1c is provided with a pair of fourth recesses 314 extending in the longitudinal direction Y on both sides of the centerline CL1 (third recess 313), each of which has a thickness in the thickness direction Z that is smaller than that of the surrounding area. As an example, the fourth recesses 314, like the recesses 310, can be formed by layering materials (e.g., SAP, pulp) constituting the absorbent core 31 only in an area on the backsheet 22 excluding a partial area (an area where the recesses 314 are to be formed). In this case, the fourth recesses 314 are a portion where the materials constituting the absorbent core 31 are not present and the absorbent core 31 has no thickness (i.e., a thickness of 0). Alternatively, the fourth recesses 314 may be a region where the materials constituting the absorbent core 31 are arranged, but where the amount of materials is less than that of other portions of the absorbent core 31 (portions other than the recesses), resulting in a thickness that is smaller than that of the other portions. Each fourth recess 314 is disposed further outward in the width direction X than the first recess 311 and the second recess 312, and has a shape longer in the longitudinal direction Y than the first recess 311 and the second recess 312.

[0083] In the present embodiment, each of the pair of fourth recesses 314 has a ventral curved portion 314a that curves outward in the width direction X as it moves from the center of the fourth recess 314 in the longitudinal direction Y toward the ventral side, and a dorsal curved portion 314b that curves outward in the width direction X as it moves from the center of the fourth recess 314 toward the dorsal side. That is, each fourth recess 314 has a bow shape in which the center in the longitudinal direction Y is located at the innermost position in the width direction X and both end positions in the longitudinal direction Y are located at the outermost positions in the width direction X. In the present embodiment, the ventral curved portion 314a of the fourth recess 314 on the first side edge 31c side faces the first recess 311, and the ventral curved portion 314a of the fourth recess 314 on the second side edge 31d side faces the second recess 312.

[0084] According to the above configuration, the absorbent core 31 can be deformed along the fourth recesses 314, thereby improving the fit of the absorbent core 31 around the wearer's legs. In particular, the pair of fourth recesses 314, each having the ventral curved portion 314a and the dorsal curved portion 314b, can effectively improve the fit around the wearer's legs, thereby effectively reducing any discomfort the wearer may feel when wearing the absorbent core 31.

[0085] 5(B), when the leakage preventing gathers 25 are folded inward in the width direction X, the first side edge 31c and the second side edge 31d of the absorbent core 31 are located outside the apex 25a of the leakage preventing gathers 25 in the width direction X at the center position of the absorber 23 in the longitudinal direction Y (on the center line CL2 in FIG. 3). According to the above configuration, by forming the absorbent core 31 into a wide shape that has the above-mentioned positional relationship with the leakage preventing gathers 25 (for example, a shape that does not have a typical waisted shape, or even if there is a waisted portion, the width of the waisted portion is larger than a typical size), the absorbent core 31 can be made more effective in preventing side leakage of body exudates.

[0086] Furthermore, the absorbent core 31 is formed to have a substantially uniform width throughout the longitudinal direction Y. In this embodiment, the absorbent core 31 is formed to have a rectangular shape of uniform width when viewed from the thickness direction Z. According to the above configuration, the absorbent core 31 does not have a constricted shape and is formed to have a wide width throughout the longitudinal direction Y, thereby improving the effect of preventing side leakage and the sense of security given to the user.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 3 , the outer casing 10 includes a non-adhesive region 10d that overlaps the entire first portion 311c and the entire second portion 312c when viewed in the thickness direction Z and is not adhered to the inner casing 20. In this embodiment, the non-adhesive region 10d has a rectangular shape that overlaps the entire first recess 311 and the entire second recess 312. This configuration reduces the influence of the outer casing 10 on the deformation of the absorbent core 31 along the first recess 311 and the second recess 312. That is, the non-adhesive region 10d allows the inner casing 20 to move relative to the outer casing 10, thereby facilitating deformation of the absorbent core 31 along the first recess 311 and the second recess 312. As a result, the adhesion of the absorbent core 31 to the wearer's urethral opening can be further improved. The non-adhesive region 10d may overlap more than half (e.g., half) of each of the first portion 311c and the second portion 312c when viewed in the thickness direction Z. Even in this case, the non-adhesive region 10d allows the inner body 20 to move relative to the outer body 10, making it easier for the absorbent core 31 to deform along the first recess 311 and the second recess 312. However, as in the present embodiment, the non-adhesive region 10d overlaps the entire first portion 311c and the entire second portion 312c when viewed from the thickness direction Z, increasing the proportion of the range of the inner body 20 that is allowed to move relative to the outer body 10, making it easier for the absorbent core 31 to deform along the first recess 311 and the second recess 312.

[0088] [Variations] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. The materials and shapes of each component are not limited to those described above, and various materials and shapes can be used. Furthermore, some components of the pants-type absorbent article 1 described above may be modified to other configurations or omitted.

[0089] 8, a portion of the absorbent core 31A according to the modified example included in the crotch region 1c is further provided with a fifth recess 315, which is located on the first side edge 31c side in the width direction X with respect to the center line CL1, extends along the longitudinal direction Y, and has a thickness in the thickness direction Z that is smaller than that of the surrounding area. A sixth recess 316 is also located on the second side edge 31d side in the width direction X with respect to the center line CL1, extends along the longitudinal direction Y, and has a thickness in the thickness direction Z that is smaller than that of the surrounding area. For example, the fifth recess 315 and the sixth recess 316, like the recess 310, can be formed by layering a material (e.g., SAP, pulp) that constitutes the absorbent core 31A only in an area on the backsheet 22 excluding a partial area (an area where the fifth recess 315 and the sixth recess 316 are to be formed). In this case, the fifth recess 315 and the sixth recess 316 are portions where the material constituting the absorbent core 31A is not present and the absorbent core 31A has no thickness (thickness is 0). Alternatively, the fifth recess 315 and the sixth recess 316 may be regions where the material constituting the absorbent core 31A is arranged, but the amount of material is less than other portions of the absorbent core 31 (portions other than the recesses), making the thickness smaller than the other portions.

[0090] The fifth recess 315 is disposed on the rear side of the first recess 311 and extends in the longitudinal direction Y between the fourth recess 314 and the third recess 313 on the first side edge 31c side in the width direction X. The fifth recess 315 may be connected to the rear end 311a of the first recess 311. The sixth recess 316 is disposed on the rear side of the second recess 312 and extends in the longitudinal direction Y between the fourth recess 314 and the third recess 313 on the second side edge 31d side in the width direction X. The sixth recess 316 may be connected to the rear end 312a of the second recess 312. The fifth recess 315 and the sixth recess 316 are disposed parallel to each other. In this modified example, the fifth recess 315 and the sixth recess 316 are not connected to each other, but for example, the back end of the fifth recess 315 and the back end of the sixth recess 316 may be connected to each other via a recess (not shown) extending in the width direction X.

[0091] On an arbitrary straight line OL2 that passes through the fifth recess 315 and the sixth recess 316 and is parallel to the width direction X, the distance D10 between the first side edge 31c and the fifth recess 315 in the width direction X and the distance D11 between the second side edge 31d and the sixth recess 316 in the width direction X are each longer than the distance D12 between the fifth recess 315 and the sixth recess 316 in the width direction X. In this modification, the fifth recess 315 and the sixth recess 316 are arranged parallel to each other, so the distances D10 to D12 are constant in the longitudinal direction Y. According to the configuration of the above modification, the absorbent core 31 is deformable along the fifth recess 315 and the sixth recess 316, thereby further improving the adhesion of the absorbent core 31 to the wearer's urethral opening. In addition, the width of the portions of the absorbent core 31 that are outside the fifth recess 315 and the sixth recess 316 in the width direction X can be made sufficiently wider than the width of the portion (the close-contact portion) between the fifth recess 315 and the sixth recess 316. This makes it possible to more suitably secure the portion of the absorbent core 31 that is located outside the tight-fitting portion in the width direction X. Therefore, urine can be effectively absorbed by the portion of the absorbent core 31A between the fifth recess 315 and the sixth recess 316, and urine leakage can be more effectively suppressed by the portions of the absorbent core 31A that are outside the fifth recess 315 and the sixth recess 316 in the width direction X.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 9, in the pants-type absorbent article 1A according to the modified example, a plurality of (three in this embodiment) leg-hole elastic members 17 (second elastic members) are further arranged along the longitudinal direction Y between the outer portion 122 of the ventral sheet 12 (see FIGS. 2 and 4) and the main sheet 11, on the dorsal side of the plurality of abdominal elastic members 14. Each leg-hole elastic member 17 extends in the width direction X between the edges 1d of the abdominal region 1a of the pants-type absorbent article 1A, and includes a portion that extends in a curved shape along the edge of each of the dorsal portions of the pair of leg openings H2. Therefore, the leg-hole elastic members 17 are elastic in the width direction X. The plurality of leg-hole elastic members 17 allow the outer body 10 to stretch to fit the legs of the wearer. The plurality of leg-hole elastic members 17 are made of an elastic material, such as rubber thread or spandex. The outer portion 122 of the abdominal sheet 12 and the main body sheet 11 are bonded to each other by a hot melt adhesive (not shown) arranged between the outer portion 122 and the main body sheet 11, sandwiching multiple abdominal elastic members 14 and multiple leg elastic members 17 therebetween.

[0093] At least one of the multiple leg-around stretchable members 17 is arranged to overlap the first portion 311c of the first recess 311 and the second portion 312c of the second recess 312 when viewed in the thickness direction Z. As an example, the leg-around stretchable member 17 is arranged to overlap the first region 311d of the first recess 311 and the second region 312d of the second recess 312. In this modification, at least one of the multiple leg-around stretchable members 17 is arranged to overlap the ventral curved portion 314a of the fourth recess 314 when viewed in the thickness direction Z. The configuration of the above modification can improve the fit to the wearer in the portion between the first side edge 31c and the first portion 311c and the portion between the second side edge 31d and the second portion 312c. This allows urine to be effectively absorbed by the portion of the absorbent core 31 between the first recess 311 and the second recess 312, and urine leakage can be more effectively suppressed by the portions of the absorbent core 31 outside the first recess 311 and the second recess 312 in the width direction X.

[0094] As another modification, in the above embodiment, the first portion 311c includes the first region 311d of the first recess 311. However, the first portion 311c may include at least a portion of the first recess 311. For example, the first portion 311c may be composed of only the back end portion 311a. In this case, the dimensional relationship "D1>L" is satisfied only in the back end portion 311a. Alternatively, the first portion 311c may be the entire first recess 311. In this case, the dimensional relationship "D1>L" is satisfied in the entire first recess 311.

[0095] Similarly, in the above embodiment, the second portion 312c includes the second region 312d of the second recess 312, but the second portion 312c may include at least a portion of the second recess 312. For example, the second portion 312c may be composed of only the back end portion 312a. In this case, the dimensional relationship "D2>L" is satisfied only in the back end portion 312a. Alternatively, the second portion 312c may be the entire second recess 312. In this case, the dimensional relationship "D2>L" is satisfied in the entire second recess 312.

[0096] As another modification, although the first recess 311 and the second recess 312 are each formed continuously in the above embodiment, the first recess 311 and the second recess 312 may each be formed discontinuously. In this case, a set of a plurality of recesses formed discontinuously may be defined as the first recess 311 and the second recess 312.

[0097] As another variation, in the above embodiment, each of the recesses 311 to 316 was formed by laminating materials (SAP, pulp, etc.) that constitute the absorbent core 31 only in areas on the back sheet 22 excluding certain areas (areas where each of the recesses 311 to 316 is intended to be formed), but each of the recesses 311 to 316 may also be a compressed groove formed, for example, by embossing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1A... pants-type absorbent article, 1a... ventral region, 1b... dorsal region, 1c... crotch region, 10... outer body, 20... inner body, 10d... non-adhesive region, 17... leg-around elastic member (second elastic member), 20... inner body, 21... top sheet, 22... back sheet, 23... absorbent body, 25... leak-proof gathers, 25a... top portion, 27... elastic member (first elastic member), 31, 31A... absorbent core, 31c... first side edge, 31d... second side edge, 310... recess , 310a...narrowest portion, 311...first recess, 311a, 312a...back end, 311c...first part, 311d...first region, 312...second recess, 312c...second part, 312d...second region, 313...third recess, 314...fourth recess, 315...fifth recess, 316...sixth recess, CL1...center line, CL2...center line, D1...first distance, D2...second distance, D7, D9 to D12...distance, H1...waist opening, H2...leg opening.

Claims

1. A pants-type absorbent article comprising an outer body and an inner body fixed to the inside of the outer body, and a ventral region located on the ventral side of a wearer when worn, a dorsal region located on the dorsal side of the wearer when worn, and a crotch region located between the ventral region and the dorsal region, arranged along the longitudinal direction, and the outer body having a waist opening through which the torso of the wearer is passed and a pair of leg openings through which both legs of the wearer are passed, The inner body is a liquid-permeable top sheet positioned on the skin side of the wearer when worn; a liquid-impermeable backsheet positioned on the non-skin-facing side of the wearer when worn; an absorbent body having an absorbent core disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet, the absorbent core absorbing excrement of the wearer, the absorbent core including a first side edge disposed on one side in a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and a second side edge disposed on the other side in the width direction; A portion of the absorbent core included in the crotch region is provided with a pair of recesses extending in the longitudinal direction on both sides of a center line passing through the center of the absorber in the width direction and parallel to the longitudinal direction, the recesses making the thickness of the absorbent core in a thickness direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the width direction smaller than that of the surrounding area, the pair of recesses includes a first recess disposed on the first side edge side in the width direction with respect to the center line, and a second recess disposed on the second side edge side in the width direction with respect to the center line, the first recessed portion extends from a narrowest portion where a distance between the first recessed portion and the second recessed portion in the width direction is smallest toward the ventral side toward the first side edge side, the second recessed portion extends from the narrowest portion toward the ventral side toward the second side edge, the first recess includes at least a first portion that satisfies a dimensional relationship in which a first distance between the first side edge in the width direction and a first portion included in the first recess is longer than a length of the first recess in the longitudinal direction, A pants-type absorbent article, wherein the second recess includes at least a second portion that satisfies a dimensional relationship in which a second distance between the second side edge in the width direction and a second portion included in the second recess is longer than the length of the second recess in the longitudinal direction.

2. the first portion includes a rear end of the first recess; The pant-type absorbent article according to claim 1 , wherein the second portion includes a rear end of the second recess.

3. the first portion includes a first region that is a rear region when the first recess is divided into two equal parts in the longitudinal direction, The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1 , wherein the second portion includes a second region that is a region on the rear side when the second recess is divided into two equal parts in the longitudinal direction.

4. 4. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 3, wherein, on any straight line passing through the first portion and the second portion and parallel to the width direction, each of the first distance and the second distance is longer than the distance between the first recess and the second recess in the width direction.

5. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein each of the first distance and the second distance is 1.5 times or more the distance of the narrowest portion in the width direction.

6. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1, further comprising a first stretchable member that is included in the crotch region of the absorbent core and stretches at least a portion of the absorbent core along the center line in the longitudinal direction.

7. 2. The pants-type absorbent article of claim 1, wherein a third recess is provided in a portion of the absorbent core included in the crotch region, the third recess extending along the center line and making the thickness of the absorbent core in the thickness direction smaller than that of the surrounding area.

8. The absorbent core further includes a pair of first elastic members that are included in the crotch region and that stretch at least a portion of the absorbent core along the center line in the longitudinal direction, The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 7 , wherein the pair of first stretchable members are arranged along both side edges of the third recess in the width direction.

9. The absorbent body further includes a pair of leak-proof gathers that are provided on both sides of the absorbent body in the width direction, and are configured so that both end portions in the longitudinal direction are fixed and the portion between the both end portions can stand up by contracting in the longitudinal direction, 2. The pants-type absorbent article of claim 1, wherein when the leak-proof gathers are folded inward in the width direction, at the central position of the absorbent body in the longitudinal direction, each of the first side edge and the second side edge of the absorbent core is positioned outward in the width direction from the top of the leak-proof gathers.

10. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 9, wherein the absorbent core is formed to have a substantially uniform width over the entire area in the longitudinal direction.

11. A pants-type absorbent article as described in claim 1, wherein a pair of fourth recesses are further provided in the portion of the absorbent core included in the crotch region, the fourth recesses extending along the longitudinal direction and being located outside the first recess and the second recess in the width direction, and the thickness of the absorbent core in the thickness direction being smaller than the surrounding area.

12. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the outer body includes a non-adhesive region that overlaps with at least half of each of the first portion and the second portion when viewed in the thickness direction and is not adhered to the inner body.

13. The absorbent core is further provided in a portion included in the crotch region with a fifth recess disposed on the first side edge side in the width direction relative to the center line, extending along the longitudinal direction and having a thickness of the absorbent core in the thickness direction that is smaller than that of the surrounding area, and a sixth recess disposed on the second side edge side in the width direction relative to the center line, extending along the longitudinal direction and having a thickness of the absorbent core in the thickness direction that is smaller than that of the surrounding area, 2. The pants-type absorbent article of claim 1, wherein, on any straight line passing through the fifth recess and the sixth recess and parallel to the width direction, the distance between the first side edge and the fifth recess in the width direction and the distance between the second side edge and the sixth recess in the width direction are each longer than the distance between the fifth recess and the sixth recess in the width direction.

14. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1, further comprising a second stretchable member that is adhered to the outer body so as to overlap each of the first portion and the second portion when viewed from the thickness direction, and that stretches in the width direction.

15. A pants-type absorbent article comprising an outer body and an inner body fixed to the inside of the outer body, and a ventral region located on the ventral side of a wearer when worn, a dorsal region located on the dorsal side of the wearer when worn, and a crotch region located between the ventral region and the dorsal region, arranged along the longitudinal direction, and the outer body having a waist opening through which the torso of the wearer is passed and a pair of leg openings through which both legs of the wearer are passed, The inner body is a liquid-permeable top sheet positioned on the skin side of the wearer when worn; a liquid-impermeable backsheet positioned on the non-skin-facing side of the wearer when worn; an absorbent body having an absorbent core disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet, the absorbent core absorbing excrement of the wearer, the absorbent core including a first side edge disposed on one side in a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and a second side edge disposed on the other side in the width direction; A portion of the absorbent core included in the crotch region is provided with a pair of recesses extending in the longitudinal direction on both sides of a center line passing through the center of the absorber in the width direction and parallel to the longitudinal direction, the recesses making the thickness of the absorbent core in a thickness direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the width direction smaller than that of the surrounding area, the pair of recesses includes a first recess disposed on the first side edge side in the width direction with respect to the center line, and a second recess disposed on the second side edge side in the width direction with respect to the center line, the first recessed portion extends from a narrowest portion where a distance between the first recessed portion and the second recessed portion in the width direction is smallest toward the ventral side toward the first side edge side, the second recessed portion extends from the narrowest portion toward the ventral side toward the second side edge, A pants-type absorbent article, wherein the area of ​​the region between the first recess and a portion of the first side edge facing the first recess in the width direction, and the area of ​​the region between the second recess and a portion of the second side edge facing the second recess in the width direction are each larger than the area of ​​the region between the first recess and the second recess.

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