Shorts-type napkin

Abstract

To provide a shorts-type napkin which has high fitness in an excretion port and both sides in a right-left direction.SOLUTION: In a shorts-type napkin, a length of a part where shrinking force by an elastic member acts in a rear side of a double-folded line is longer than a length of a part where the shrinking force by the elastic member acts in a front side of the double-folded line. A high density part is a dot-like embossed part pressing an absorbent core in a thickness direction. A plurality of the embossed parts are provided in a vertical direction and a right-left direction with a predetermined interval. A pitch between two adjacent embossed parts in the vertical direction and a pitch between two adjacent embossed parts in the right-left direction are narrower than a distance between two adjacent elastic members in the right-left direction. In a longitudinal direction of an absorbent body in a developed state, at least a part of the embossed part is arranged in a front side and a rear side of a region where the shrinking force by the elastic member acts.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a shorts-type napkin. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, absorbent articles such as disposable diapers and napkins that include a liquid-absorbing absorbent main body have been known. In such absorbent articles, the fit of the absorbent main body when worn can be improved by arranging a stretchable elastic member along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent main body. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which a plurality of crotch elastic members 17 are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent main body 3, and the contractile force of the crotch elastic members 17 lifts the absorbent main body 3 upward (toward the wearer's skin), thereby improving the fit around the crotch area of ​​the wearer. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-350809 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the absorbent article of Patent Document 1, the absorbent main body can be brought into close contact with the wearer's crotch area (excretory opening such as the vagina) in the area where the elastic members (crotch elastic members 17) are arranged, but in the areas on both the left and right sides of the absorbent article where no elastic members are arranged, the absorbent main body does not easily come into close contact with the wearer's skin. As a result, there is a risk that highly viscous excrement such as menstrual blood may leak out the sides of the absorbent main body (side leakage) along the wearer's skin (for example, both legs).

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its object is to provide a shorts-type napkin that has a high fit around the excretory opening and on both the left and right sides. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The main invention for achieving the above-mentioned object is a shorts-type napkin having an absorbent main body with a liquid-absorbent absorbent core and intersecting vertical, horizontal, and front-to-back directions, and a waistband member arranged on the non-skin side of the absorbent main body, wherein a plurality of elastic members that stretch along the vertical direction are arranged at predetermined intervals in the left-to-right direction on the non-skin side of the absorbent main body relative to the absorbent core, and the elastic members each have a first elastic member arranged on the outermost side on both sides of the left-to-right direction and a second elastic member arranged adjacent to the inside of the first elastic member, and the absorbent main body has a high-density portion in which the density of the absorbent core is higher than that of the surrounding portion, at least in the region between the first elastic member and the second elastic member in the left-to-right direction. Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a shorts-type napkin that has a high fit around the excretory opening and on both the left and right sides. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a napkin 1. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the napkin 1 in an unfolded and stretched state, as seen from the skin side in the thickness direction. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 taken along the line AA. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are a plan view and a cross-sectional view of an absorbent body 10. FIG. [Figure 5] Fig. 5A is a diagram illustrating the fit when wearing a conventional napkin as a comparative example, and Fig. 5B is a diagram illustrating the fit when wearing the napkin 1 of this embodiment. [Figure 6]6A to 6C are diagrams illustrating a sheet joining section 60 that joins the non-skin side sheet 21 and the skin side sheets 22 and 23 of the waistline member 20. FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is a diagram illustrating a back joining portion 70 that joins the back sheet 14 and the side sheet 15 in the absorbent main body 10. FIG. [Figure 8] 10 is a diagram illustrating a main body joining section 80 for attaching and joining the absorbent main body 10 to the waistline member 20. FIG. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are a plan view and a cross-sectional view of an absorbent main body 10 according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of region E in FIG. 9. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] At least the following matters will become clear from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0010] A shorts-type napkin having an absorbent main body with a liquid-absorbent absorbent core and intersecting vertical, horizontal, and front-to-back directions, and a waistband member arranged on the non-skin side of the absorbent main body, wherein a plurality of elastic members that stretch along the vertical direction are arranged at predetermined intervals in the left-to-right direction on the non-skin side of the absorbent main body relative to the absorbent core, and the elastic members each have a first elastic member arranged on the outermost side in the left-to-right direction and a second elastic member arranged adjacent to the inside of the first elastic member, and the absorbent main body has a high-density portion in at least the region between the first elastic member and the second elastic member in the left-to-right direction, where the density of the absorbent core is higher than that of the surrounding portion.

[0011] With such a shorts-type napkin, the high-density portion serves as the folding starting point, and the absorbent core's left-right central portion where the second elastic members are arranged and both left-right side portions where the first elastic members are arranged are each raised toward the wearer's crotch and come into close contact with the wearer's skin. This improves the fit of the absorbent main body around the excretory opening (vaginal opening) in the left-right central portion and the groin areas on both left-right sides in the crotch area of ​​the wearer, making it less likely for excretory fluid such as menstrual blood to leak.

[0012] Also, there is a shorts-type napkin having an absorbent main body with a liquid-absorbent absorbent core and intersecting vertical, horizontal, and front-to-back directions, and a waistband member arranged on the non-skin side of the absorbent main body, wherein a plurality of elastic members that stretch along the vertical direction are arranged at predetermined intervals in the left-to-right direction on the non-skin side of the absorbent main body relative to the absorbent core, and the elastic members each have a first elastic member arranged on the outermost side in the left-to-right direction and a second elastic member arranged adjacent to the inside of the first elastic member on both sides in the left-to-right direction, and the absorbent main body has high-density portions on both sides in the left-to-right direction in which the density of the absorbent core is higher than that of the surrounding portions, and when viewed in the front-to-back direction, the area of ​​the absorbent main body where the first elastic member is arranged and the area where the second elastic member is arranged each have a convex shape toward the wearer's skin side. A shorts-type napkin characterized by the above is revealed. In such a shorts-type napkin, the absorbent core's central portion in the left-right direction where the second elastic members are arranged and its two side portions in the left-right direction where the first elastic members are arranged are deformed upward and convex so as to be lifted toward the wearer's crotch. This improves the fit of the absorbent main body around the excretory opening (vaginal opening) in the central portion in the left-right direction and the groin areas on both sides in the left-right direction in the crotch area of ​​the wearer, making it less likely for excretory fluid such as menstrual blood to leak.

[0013] It is desirable that such a shorts-type napkin has a fold line along which the shorts-type napkin is folded in half in the front-to-back direction, and that the length of the portion behind the fold line on which the contraction force of the elastic member acts is longer than the length of the portion in front of the fold line on which the contraction force of the elastic member acts.

[0014] With such a shorts-type napkin, the contractile force acting on the back side (back side) of the fold line is greater than the contractile force acting on the front side (ventral side), making it easier for the absorbent main body to fit tightly against the back side (buttocks side) of the wearer. This effectively prevents menstrual blood and other fluids excreted from the excretory opening from moving diagonally backward along the wearer's buttocks and leaking out of the shorts-type napkin.

[0015] In such a shorts-type napkin, a pair of leakage-proof wall portions are provided on both sides of the absorbent body in the left-right direction, and the leakage-proof wall portions have leakage-proof wall elastic members that stretch along the up-down direction, and it is desirable that, at least behind the fold line, the length of the portion on which the contraction force of the elastic members acts is longer than the length of the portion on which the contraction force of the leakage-proof wall elastic members acts.

[0016] In such a shorts-type napkin, the contractile force of the elastic members acting on the back side (buttocks side) of the wearer is stronger than the contractile force of the leakage barrier elastic members, making it easier to bring the absorbent core into close contact with the wearer's skin and preventing the leakage barrier walls from standing up too high against the wearer's skin. Therefore, when the shorts-type napkin is worn, the formation of a gap (space) between the wearer's buttocks and the absorbent core is prevented, making it less likely for body waste to leak.

[0017] In such a shorts-type napkin, it is desirable that the high-density portion has a rear convex portion at its upper end rearward of the fold line, extending from the outside to the inside in the left-right direction and from the bottom to the top in the up-down direction, and that the first elastic member is positioned outside the outer end of the rear convex portion in the left-right direction.

[0018] With such a shorts-type napkin, three-dimensional deformation of the absorbent core is easily suppressed in the area where the obliquely extending rear convex portion is provided. Then, by pulling both sides of the rear convex portion by the first elastic member, the absorbent core can be fitted around the wearer's sacrum (buttocks) while maintaining the rear end region of the absorbent core in a flat shape.

[0019] In such a shorts-type napkin, it is desirable that the waistband member has at least a skin-side sheet and a non-skin-side sheet laminated on the non-skin-side of the skin-side sheet, and has a sheet joint that joins the skin-side sheet and the non-skin-side sheet, and that when viewed in the thickness direction, in the region where the absorbent main body and the waistband member overlap, the total area of ​​the sheet joints formed per unit area in the region inside the high-density portion in the left-right direction is smaller than the total area of ​​the sheet joints formed per unit area in the region outside the high-density portion in the left-right direction.

[0020] With this type of shorts-type napkin, by increasing the area ratio of the joints in the regions laterally outboard of the pair of high-density regions, it is possible to reduce the stretching stress and make it easier to ensure the width of the absorbent main body in the lateral direction. On the other hand, by decreasing the area ratio of the joints in the regions laterally inboard of the high-density regions, it is possible to take advantage of the stretching force of the waistband member and make it easier for the absorbent main body to fit into the cleft of the wearer's buttocks. This makes it easier to maintain a good fit of the napkin even when the wearer moves their legs, and reduces leakage of menstrual blood along the skin.

[0021] In such a shorts-type napkin, when viewed in the thickness direction, in the region where the absorbent main body and the waistband member overlap, and in the region more inward in the left-right direction than the high-density portion, it is desirable that the total area of ​​the sheet joints formed per unit area in the region behind the fold line when the shorts-type napkin is folded in half in the front-to-back direction is smaller than the total area of ​​the sheet joints formed per unit area in the region in front of the fold line.

[0022] With such a shorts-type napkin, when worn, the rigidity of the front side of the waistband member is higher than that of the rear side. As a result, when the wearer uses it in a sleeping position at night, even if they turn over in their sleep, the absorbent main body at the front side (ventral side) is more likely to maintain its shape once it has been deformed. On the other hand, by reducing the rigidity at the rear side (back side) of the waistband member, the stretching of the absorbent elastic member in the vertical direction (up and down) is less likely to be hindered, so the absorbent main body is more likely to conform to the grooves of the buttocks. In addition, because the waistband member is more likely to contract in the left and right directions, it is more likely to maintain a good fit to the buttocks even if the wearer turns over in their sleep.

[0023] In such a shorts-type napkin, it is desirable that the absorbent main body has a liquid-impermeable back sheet arranged on the non-skin side of the absorbent core and a side sheet laminated on the non-skin side of the back sheet, has a back joint portion joining the back sheet and the side sheet, has a third elastic member arranged adjacent to the inside of the second elastic member in the left-right direction, and the total area of ​​the back joint portion formed per unit area in the region between the first elastic member and the second elastic member in the left-right direction is larger than the total area of ​​the back joint portion formed per unit area in the region between the second elastic member and the third elastic member.

[0024] In such a shorts-type napkin, the bonding strength between the back sheet and the side sheet is increased in the region between the first elastic member and the second elastic member, thereby increasing the rigidity of the absorbent main body. Therefore, the absorbent main body (absorbent core) is more likely to develop creases in this region, and even if the absorbent core undergoes convex deformation, it is more likely to maintain its shape. This makes it easier for the absorbent main body to maintain a snug fit around the wearer's crotch area, improving the absorbency of menstrual blood and making it easier to prevent leakage.

[0025] In such a shorts-type napkin, it is desirable that the waistline member has a front waistline member and a rear waistline member, and has side joints at both ends in the left-right direction that join the front waistline member and the rear waistline member to each other, and that the position of the lower end of the side joint is higher than the position of the upper end of the first elastic member forward of the fold line when the shorts-type napkin is folded in half in the front-to-back direction.

[0026] With such a shorts-type napkin, even if the front waistband member deforms in response to the movement of the wearer's body (abdominal side) when worn, the influence of this deformation is unlikely to be transmitted to the absorber elastic members, thereby preventing the absorber main body from shifting position in conjunction with the movement of the front waistband member, making it easier to maintain a good fit of the absorber main body.

[0027] It is desirable that such a shorts-type napkin has a main body joining portion that joins the absorbent main body to the skin side of the waist portion, and that the distance between the pair of first elastic members in the left-right direction is greater than 1 / 2 the width of the absorbent core and smaller than the width of the main body joining portion.

[0028] In such a shorts-type napkin, by making the spacing between the first elastic members smaller than the width of the main body joint, the elastic force of the first elastic members is less likely to act on the rising start points of the leakage barrier walls (outer ends of the main body joint), making it less likely that the rising of the leakage barrier walls will be hindered. Also, by making the spacing between the first elastic members larger than half the width of the absorbent core, it is possible to prevent the area of ​​the absorbent core in the left-right central portion from becoming too narrow, which makes it difficult for the absorbent core to deform convexly and make it difficult for the absorbent core to fit the excretory opening.

[0029] In such a shorts-type napkin, it is desirable that the width of the main body joint portion at the upper end in the vertical direction is larger than the width of the main body joint portion at the lower end in the vertical direction.

[0030] According to such a shorts-type napkin, at the upper end in the vertical direction, the absorbent main body is widely joined to the waistband member, making it difficult for the absorbent main body to twist or deform, and the absorbent main body can easily fit the wearer's body in a wide, flat manner. On the other hand, at the lower end in the vertical direction (crotch portion), the portion where the absorbent main body is joined to the waistband member is narrow, making it easier for the absorbent main body to deform, and preventing the both side edges of the absorbent main body from being pressed against the wearer's groin, causing discomfort, etc.

[0031] It is desirable that such a shorts-type napkin has a fold line along which the shorts-type napkin is folded in half in the front-to-rear direction, and that the high-density portion does not have an overlapping portion with the fold line.

[0032] In such a shorts-type napkin, the high-density portion is not continuous across the fold line, so that when the shorts-type napkin is worn, the absorbent main body is more likely to deform independently in the ventral and dorsal regions. In other words, the ventral and dorsal regions of the absorbent main body are more likely to follow the wearer's body movements, further improving the fit. This makes it easier to prevent leakage of menstrual blood, etc.

[0033] In such a shorts-type napkin, it is desirable that the high-density portion has an inverted portion in which a portion of the high-density portion is inverted to the opposite side in the vertical direction, and that the inverted portion has a portion that intersects with the first elastic member.

[0034] In such a shorts-type napkin, the contractile force of the first elastic member is less likely to act on the absorbent core at the intersection of the inverted portion and the first elastic member due to the influence of the inverted portion. Therefore, by adjusting the position of the inverted portion, it is possible to locally control the deformation of the absorbent core. This makes it easier for the absorbent core to fit the wearer's body.

[0035] In such a shorts-type napkin, the high-density portion is a dot-shaped embossed portion that compresses the absorbent core in the thickness direction, and the embossed portions are provided at predetermined intervals in the vertical and horizontal directions, and it is desirable that the pitch between two adjacent embossed portions in the vertical direction and the pitch between two adjacent embossed portions in the horizontal direction are both narrower than the distance between two adjacent elastic members in the horizontal direction.

[0036] In such shorts-type napkins, the embossed sections are provided at a pitch narrower than the spacing between the absorbent elastic members, so that when a wearer moves their legs or body while wearing the napkin, the force generated by the expansion and contraction of the absorbent elastic members is more likely to be interfered with by the multiple embossed sections. This makes the absorbent core less likely to twist and allows it to more easily follow the wearer's small body movements. This results in an improved fit when worn.

[0037] In such a shorts-type napkin, it is desirable that at least a portion of the embossed portion is positioned in front of and behind the area where the contraction force of the elastic member acts in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body in the unfolded state.

[0038] In such a shorts-type napkin, the embossed portions are provided in an area of ​​the absorbent core outside the range where the stretchability of the absorbent elastic members acts in the longitudinal direction, making it easier to maintain this area flat. This makes it easier for the absorbent main body to fit snugly along the body shape around the wearer's lower abdomen (ventral side) and sacrum (dorsal side) when worn, making it easier to prevent leakage of excrement.

[0039] In such a shorts-type napkin, it is desirable that the waistband member has at least a skin-side sheet and a non-skin-side sheet laminated on the non-skin-side of the skin-side sheet, at least one of the skin-side sheet and the non-skin-side sheet is a stretchable sheet that is stretchable in the left-right direction, has a plurality of sheet joints that join the skin-side sheet and the non-skin-side sheet, and the distance between two adjacent sheet joints in the left-right direction is narrower than the pitch between two adjacent embossed sections in the left-right direction.

[0040] With such a shorts-type napkin, when the waistband member contracts laterally during wear, fine wrinkles are likely to form between adjacent sheet joints. Furthermore, by forming such fine wrinkles in the waistband member closer to the skin than the absorbent main body, the absorbent core is less likely to twist, improving the fit of the napkin.

[0041] It is desirable that such a shorts-type napkin has a main body joining portion that joins the absorbent main body to the skin side of the waist area, and that the width of the main body joining portion in the left-right direction is wider than the width of the absorbent core.

[0042] With such a shorts-type napkin, the lateral stretchability of the waistband member is easily transmitted to the entire lateral area of ​​the absorbent core, which makes it easier for the absorbent core to be pressed against the wearer's body by the stretchability of the waistband member, thereby further improving the fit.

[0043] ===First Embodiment=== A shorts-type napkin 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as "napkin 1") will be described as an example of an absorbent article according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] <Basic structure of napkin 1> Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a napkin 1 according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the napkin 1 in an unfolded and stretched state, as viewed from the skin side in the thickness direction. Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 2.

[0045] The "stretched state" of the napkin 1 refers to the state in which the entire napkin 1 (the entire product) is stretched without wrinkles by stretching each elastic member of the napkin 1 (for example, the absorbent elastic member 50 described below, and the skin-side sheets 22 and 23, etc.), specifically, the state in which the dimensions of each member constituting the napkin 1 (for example, the non-skin-side sheet 21 and the skin-side sheets 22 and 23 described below, etc.) are stretched until they match or are close to the dimensions of the member alone.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 1, the napkin 1 has a "vertical direction," a "lateral direction," and a "front-to-back direction," which are perpendicular to one another. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, it has a "thickness direction," which is the direction in which each component is layered. In the vertical direction, the side that faces the wearer's torso when the napkin 1 is worn by a wearer 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-back direction, the side that faces the wearer's stomach when worn is referred to as the "front side," and the side that faces the wearer's back is referred to as the "rear side." In the thickness direction, the side that comes into contact with the wearer's skin when the napkin 1 is worn by a wearer is referred to as the "skin side," and the opposite side is referred to as the "non-skin side."

[0047] Furthermore, the napkin 1 has a "longitudinal direction" and a "lateral direction" that are perpendicular to each other when in the unfolded state shown in Fig. 2. The "longitudinal direction" is the direction along the up-down direction of the shorts-type garment, and the "lateral direction" is the direction along the left-right direction of the shorts-type garment.

[0048] The napkin 1 of this embodiment comprises a liquid-absorbent main body 10 that absorbs liquids such as menstrual blood, and a waistband member 20 that is arranged on the non-skin side of the absorbent main body 10 and is placed around the wearer's waist when the napkin 1 is worn.

[0049] (Absorbent body 10) Fig. 4 shows a plan view and a cross-sectional view of the absorbent main body 10. As shown in Fig. 2, the absorbent main body 10 of this embodiment has a generally rectangular shape in plan view, with the longitudinal direction (i.e., the direction of the long sides of the absorbent main body 10) aligned along the top-to-bottom direction of the napkin 1. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the absorbent main body 10 has an absorbent core 11 aligned along the longitudinal direction (top-to-bottom direction), a top sheet 12 arranged closer to the skin than the absorbent core 11, a second sheet 13 arranged between the top sheet 12 and the absorbent core 11, a back sheet 14 arranged closer to the skin than the absorbent core 11, and a side sheet 15 arranged closer to the skin than the back sheet 14.

[0050] The absorbent core 11 is a member that absorbs and retains liquids such as urine, and is formed from liquid-absorbent fibers such as pulp fibers mixed with superabsorbent polymer (SAP). The absorbent core 11 may be covered with a liquid-permeable sheet member (core wrap sheet) such as tissue paper or nonwoven fabric.

[0051] The top sheet 12 is a liquid-permeable sheet member that can come into contact with the wearer's skin when worn, and is made of, for example, a hydrophilic air-through nonwoven fabric, a spunbond nonwoven fabric, etc. In this embodiment, as shown in the cross-sectional view of Figure 4, both left and right side edges of the top sheet 12 are folded back from the skin side to the non-skin side in the thickness direction on both left and right outer sides of the absorbent core 11, and are configured to be sandwiched between the absorbent core 11 and the back sheet 14.

[0052] The second sheet 13 is a sheet member having substantially the same function and configuration as the top sheet 12, and is laminated on the non-skin side of the top sheet 12. Note that the second sheet 13 does not necessarily have to be provided in the absorbent main body 10.

[0053] The back sheet 14 is a breathable and liquid-impermeable sheet member for preventing liquid such as menstrual blood absorbed in the absorbent core 11 from leaking out to the outside, and is made of, for example, a resin film.

[0054] The side sheet 15 is a sheet member laminated on the non-skin side of the back sheet 14, and is made of a flexible nonwoven fabric such as an air-through nonwoven fabric. In this embodiment, the side sheet 15 forms a pair of leak-proof walls 30, 30.

[0055] The leakage preventing walls 30 are provided as a pair on both lateral sides of the absorbent main body 10, and are portions that correspond to so-called upright gathers. When the napkin 1 is worn, the leakage preventing walls 30 stand up from both lateral sides of the absorbent main body 10 toward the wearer's skin, thereby preventing excretory fluids such as menstrual blood from leaking out of the absorbent main body 10.

[0056] In this embodiment, as shown in the cross-sectional view of Fig. 4, the side sheets 15 extend outward in the left-right direction (horizontal direction) of the absorbent core 11, while being folded toward the skin side in the thickness direction at both left-right end portions of the absorbent main body 10, with end portions 15t being positioned closer to the skin than the absorbent core 11. The front (ventral) end portion of this end portion 15t in the longitudinal direction is joined to the skin-side surface of the top sheet 12 at a front joining portion 32f, and the rear (dorsal) end portion in the longitudinal direction is joined to the skin-side surface of the top sheet 12 at a rear joining portion 32b (see Fig. 4). The front joining portion 32f and the rear joining portion 32b are formed using a bonding material such as a hot melt adhesive.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 4, the side sheets 15 are folded at the end portions 15t, resulting in a stacked state in the thickness direction, with the leakage barrier elastic member 31 provided between the stacked side sheets 15. The leakage barrier elastic member 31 is provided in a stretched state in the vertical direction and is fixed at both vertical ends by the front joining portion 32f and the rear joining portion 32b, thereby exhibiting stretchability in the vertical direction between the front joining portion 32f and the rear joining portion 32b. When the napkin 1 is worn, the stretchability exhibited by the leakage barrier elastic member 31 causes the end portions 15t of the leakage barrier wall portions 30 to contract in the vertical direction, causing the free ends of the end portions 15t to stand up against the wearer's skin. The extension ratio of the leakage barrier elastic member 31 provided in the leakage barrier wall portions 30 is preferably approximately 2.2 to 2.6 times. The extension ratio is expressed as the value obtained by dividing the length of the elastic member (leakage preventing wall elastic member 31) in the extended state by the length of the elastic member (leakage preventing wall elastic member 31) in the natural state.

[0058] The absorbent main body 10 also has a high-density portion 40 in which the density of the absorbent core 11 is higher than that of the surrounding portions. The high-density portion 40 is formed by compressing the components constituting the absorbent main body 10 in the thickness direction. As shown in FIG. 4 , the high-density portion 40 of this embodiment has a first high-density portion 41, a second high-density portion 42, and a third high-density portion 43, each of which is formed linearly by arranging a plurality of dot-shaped compressed portions. The provision of such a high-density portion 40 prevents the liquid-absorbent fibers of the absorbent core 11 from becoming loose and losing their shape. Furthermore, when the napkin 1 is worn, the high-density portion 40 serves as a bending point, allowing the absorbent core 11 to easily deform three-dimensionally in accordance with the wearer's body shape and thereby to easily fit the wearer's body.

[0059] The absorbent body 10 is also provided with a plurality of absorber elastic members 50 that stretch in the vertical direction (up-down direction). The absorber elastic members 50 are formed, for example, from rubber thread and are arranged in a state of stretching in the vertical direction (up-down direction) on the non-skin side of the absorbent core 11 (specifically, between the back sheet 14 and the side sheet 15). In the napkin 1 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, five absorber elastic members 50 are provided at predetermined intervals in the left-right direction. The stretch ratio of the absorber elastic members 50 is preferably approximately 2.7 to 3.2 times. By setting the stretch ratio of the absorber elastic members 50 to a ratio greater than that of the leakage wall elastic members 31, the absorber body 10 is more likely to contract from the non-skin side in the thickness direction, making it easier for the absorber body 10 to fit the wearer's body when the napkin 1 is worn. In other words, the stretchability exhibited by the absorber elastic members 50 makes it easier for the absorber body 10 to adhere to the crotch area of ​​the wearer, thereby reducing the leakage of excrement such as menstrual blood.

[0060] In the following, the absorber elastic members 50 arranged outermost on both sides in the left-right direction will be referred to as first elastic members 51, 51. The absorber elastic members 50 arranged adjacent to and inside the first elastic members 51, 51 in the left-right direction will be referred to as second elastic members 52, 52. The absorber elastic member 50 arranged inside the second elastic member 52 in the left-right direction will be referred to as third elastic member 53. It is sufficient that the absorber elastic members 50 have at least a pair of first elastic members 51, 51 and a pair of second elastic members 52, 52. In other words, there may be two or more third elastic members 53, or there may be zero third elastic members 53.

[0061] (Waist member 20)

[0062] The waistline member 20 is composed of multiple sheet members, and in this embodiment includes a non-skin side sheet 21 and skin side sheets 22 and 23 (see FIG. 3). In the following description, the portion of the waistline member 20 that is forward (ventral side) of the center position CL in the vertical direction will also be referred to as the front waistline member 20f, and the portion that is rearward (dorsal side) of the center position CL will also be referred to as the rear waistline member 20b.

[0063] The non-skin side sheet 21 is a non-stretchable sheet member arranged on the closest non-skin side of the napkin 1, and is made of, for example, a spunbond nonwoven fabric or an SMS nonwoven fabric. In this embodiment, the non-skin side sheet 21 has a shape that is narrowed inward in the left-right direction at the longitudinal center (a portion including the center position CL), as shown in the plan view of Fig. 2.

[0064] The skin side sheet 22 is a stretchable sheet member laminated on the skin side of the non-skin side sheet 21 on the front side (ventral side) in the longitudinal direction. The skin side sheet 22 is formed, for example, from a stretchable nonwoven fabric. The "stretchable nonwoven fabric" refers to a nonwoven fabric that contains stretchable fibers with stretchability and extensible fibers with lower shrinkage than the stretchable fibers, and that has been subjected to an appropriate stretching process such as gear stretching. The skin side sheet 22 of this embodiment can use, as the stretchable fibers, fibers of polyurethane-based elastomer, which is a type of elastic thermoplastic elastomer, and can use, as the extensible fibers, fibers of polypropylene (PP), a polyolefin-based resin, which is a type of inelastic thermoplastic resin.

[0065] The skin side sheet 22 is joined to the non-skin side sheet 21 by a plurality of scattered sheet joints 60 (see FIG. 6), which impart stretchability to the front waistline member 20f at least in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the sheet joints 60 are formed using a known joining method such as ultrasonic welding.

[0066] The skin side sheet 23 is a stretchable sheet member laminated on the skin side of the non-skin side sheet 21 on the rear side (back side) in the longitudinal direction. The skin side sheet 23 has the same configuration as the skin side sheet 22. That is, the skin side sheet 23 is formed from a stretchable nonwoven fabric and is joined to the non-skin side sheet 21 by a plurality of scattered sheet joints 60 (see FIG. 6). This provides stretchability at least in the left-right direction to the rear waistline member 20b.

[0067] The napkin 1 is folded in half in the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction) of the absorbent main body 10 and the waistline member 20 from the unfolded state shown in Fig. 2, with the central position CL in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent main body 10 (shown by a dashed line in Fig. 2) as the folding position. In this folded state, both lateral (left-right) end portions 20fe, 20fe of the front waistline member 20f and both lateral (left-right) end portions 20be, 20be of the rear waistline member 20b, which are overlapped in the front-rear direction, are joined using a known joining method such as seal welding to form side joint portions 20we. As a result, the folded waistline members 20 (20f and 20b) are connected in a ring shape at the front side (ventral side) and the rear side (back side), forming one waistline opening 1a and a pair of leg openings 1b as shown in Fig. 1, thereby forming a shorts-type napkin 1.

[0068] <About the fit of Sanitary Napkin 1> Next, we will explain the fit when wearing the napkin 1. Fig. 5A is a diagram illustrating the fit when wearing a conventional napkin as a comparative example. Fig. 5B is a diagram illustrating the fit when wearing the napkin 1 of this embodiment.

[0069] The napkin of the comparative example shown in FIG. 5A is provided with an absorbent main body 100. The configuration of the absorbent main body 100 of the comparative example is substantially the same as that of the absorbent main body 10 of the present embodiment, but the configuration of the absorber elastic members 50 is different from that of the absorbent main body 10. That is, in the absorbent main body 100 of the comparative example, three absorber elastic members 50 are provided in the region between a pair of high-density portions 40, 40 in the left-right direction, and no elastic member corresponding to the first elastic member 51 in the present embodiment is provided in the region outside the high-density portions 40, 40. In other words, in the absorbent main body 100 of the comparative example, the absorber elastic members 50 are provided in the central region in the left-right direction, but the absorber elastic members 50 are not provided in the regions on both sides in the left-right direction. Note that the high-density portions 40 do not necessarily have to be provided in the absorbent main body 100.

[0070] When a napkin including the absorbent main body 100 of the comparative example is worn, in the region of the absorbent main body 100 that is laterally inward of the pair of high-density portions 40, 40 (the central portion in the laterally direction), the absorbent body elastic members 50 contract, causing the absorbent core 11 to be lifted toward the wearer's skin. That is, as shown in Fig. 5A, the central portion in the laterally direction of the absorbent core 11 deforms convexly toward the wearer's skin, and comes into close contact with an excretory opening such as the vaginal opening. Therefore, menstrual blood and the like can be efficiently absorbed in the crotch area.

[0071] On the other hand, the absorbent main body 100 of the comparative example does not have the absorber elastic members 50 in the regions (both sides in the left-right direction) outside the pair of high-density portions 40, 40 in the left-right direction, and therefore the contractile force of the absorber elastic members 50 does not act in these regions, making it difficult for the absorbent core 11 to fit the wearer's body. In other words, it is difficult for the absorbent core 11 to adhere closely to the regions on both sides of the excretory opening. As a result, there is a risk that highly viscous liquids such as menstrual blood will leak laterally from the groin area along the wearer's legs.

[0072] In contrast, in the case of the napkin 1 of this embodiment, the region of the absorbent main body 10 that is laterally inward of the pair of high-density portions 40, 40 (the central portion in the laterally direction) easily fits the wearer's vaginal opening, as in the comparative example. That is, when viewed from the front in the front-to-back direction as shown in Fig. 5B, as a result of the contraction of the second elastic members 52 (and the third elastic members 53), the central portion in the laterally direction of the absorbent core 11 is bent so as to be lifted toward the wearer's skin. That is, the region where the second elastic members 52 are provided deforms to have a convex shape toward the skin, making it easier to fit closely to an excretory opening such as the vaginal opening.

[0073] In the regions (both sides in the left-right direction) outside the pair of high-density portions 40, 40, the first elastic members 51, 51 contract, causing both sides of the absorbent core 1 in the left-right direction to bend and lift toward the wearer's skin. That is, the regions where the first elastic members 51, 51 are provided deform into a convex shape toward the skin, thereby making it easier to fit around the wearer's groin. Therefore, even if excrement such as menstrual blood flows laterally down the wearer's legs, the excrement is firmly absorbed by the absorbent core 11 in the groin, making it less likely to leak sideways.

[0074] In the absorbent main body 10 of this embodiment, the high-density portion 40 is disposed between the first elastic member 51 and the second elastic member 52 in the left-right direction. Therefore, when the absorber elastic members 50 (51, 52) contract, the high-density portion 40 becomes the bending starting point, and the absorbent core 11 is likely to deform three-dimensionally. That is, the region inside the high-density portion 40 in the left-right direction is likely to deform convexly toward the wearer's excretory opening due to contraction of the second elastic member 52, and the region outside the high-density portion 40 in the left-right direction is likely to deform convexly toward the wearer's groin due to contraction of the first elastic member 51 (see FIG. 5B ).

[0075] In this way, with the high-density portion 40 as the folding starting point, the napkin 1 has its left-right central portion where the second elastic members 52 are arranged and its left-right side portions where the first elastic members 51 are arranged, which are each raised toward the wearer's crotch and come into close contact with the wearer's skin. Therefore, in the crotch area of ​​the wearer, the left-right central portion fits tightly around the excretory opening (vaginal opening) and the left-right side portions fit tightly around the groin area, thereby making it less likely for menstrual blood and other excretions to leak.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 4 , in the longitudinal direction of the napkin 1 (absorbent main body 10), the length Lb50 of the portion where the contractile force of the absorber elastic members 50 acts in the region behind the central position CL is longer than the length Lf50 of the portion where the contractile force of the absorber elastic members 50 acts in the region ahead of the central position CL (Lb50 > Lf50). That is, when the napkin 1 is folded in half, the magnitude of the contractile force acting on the back side (dorsal side) of the fold line (longitudinal central position CL) is greater than the magnitude of the contractile force acting on the front side (ventral side) of the fold line (central position CL). Therefore, when the napkin 1 is worn, the absorbent main body 10 fits more easily on the back side (buttocks side) of the wearer. This effectively prevents menstrual blood and other excreted material from leaking out of the napkin 1, for example, when the wearer is sitting or lying on her back, by moving diagonally backward along the wearer's buttocks.

[0077] Furthermore, longitudinally rearward of the central position CL, the length Lb50 of the portion on which the contractile force of the absorber elastic members 50 acts is longer than the length Lb31 of the portion on which the contractile force of the leakage wall elastic members 31 acts (Lb50>Lb31). As described above, when wearing the napkin 1, the leakage preventing wall portions 30 rise toward the wearer's body due to the stretchability exhibited by the leakage wall elastic members 31, making it easier to suppress lateral leakage of excrement. However, if the rising height of the leakage preventing wall portions 30 becomes too high, a gap may be formed between the absorbent core 11 and the wearer's skin, making it difficult for the absorbent core 11 to absorb excrement.

[0078] In contrast, in this embodiment, by making Lb50 > Lb31, the contractile force of the absorber elastic member 50 acting on the buttocks side is increased. This makes it easier to bring the absorbent core 11 into close contact with the wearer's skin, and prevents the leakage preventing wall portions 30 from standing up too high toward the wearer's skin. Therefore, when the napkin 1 is worn, the formation of gaps (spaces) between the wearer's buttocks and the absorbent core 11 is prevented, and the absorbency of excrement can be further improved. Note that in the napkin 1 of this embodiment, as described above, the extension ratio of the absorber elastic member 50 is set larger than the extension ratio of the leakage wall elastic member 31, so the contractile force of the absorber elastic member 50 is increased, making it more difficult for gaps (spaces) to form.

[0079] Additionally, behind the folding line (center position CL), the high-density portion 40 (third high-density portion 43) has a rear convex portion 43c whose rear end is convex toward the rear (see FIG. 4). The rear convex portion 43c is disposed at the upper end on the rear side (back side) of the folding line when the napkin 1 is worn, extending from the outside to the inside in the left-right direction and from the bottom to the top in the up-down direction. In the region where the rear convex portion 43c is disposed, the obliquely extending rear convex portion 43c tends to suppress the three-dimensional deformation of the absorbent core 11 as described above, and the absorbent core 11 tends to adhere closely to the wearer's body while maintaining its planar shape. The region where the rear convex portion 43c is disposed is positioned along the wearer's sacrum when the napkin 1 is worn, allowing the absorbent core 11 to fit flat around the wearer's sacrum.

[0080] The first elastic members 51, 51 are disposed outside the outer end of the rear convex portion 43c in the left-right direction. This allows both sides of the rear convex portion 43c to be pulled by the first elastic members 51, and allows both sides of the absorbent core 11 to fit around the wearer's buttocks along both sides of the sacrum while keeping the rear end region of the absorbent core 11 in a flat shape. This makes it easier to prevent leakage of menstrual blood and the like around the buttocks.

[0081] 6A to 6C are diagrams illustrating sheet joints 60 that join the non-skin side sheet 21 and the skin side sheets 22, 23 of the waistline member 20. FIG. 6A shows the types and arrangements of sheet joints 60 formed on the waistline member 20 in an unfolded and stretched state. In this embodiment, the non-skin side sheet 21 and the skin side sheets 22, 23 are joined to each other by two types of sheet joints 60. Specifically, in region B indicated by the diagonal lines, the non-skin side sheet 21 and the skin side sheets 22, 23 are joined together in a stacked state in the thickness direction by a plurality of first sheet joints 61 shown in FIG. 6B. In regions C and D of the waistline member 20 other than region B, the non-skin side sheet 21 and the skin side sheets 22, 23 are joined together in a stacked state in the thickness direction by a plurality of second sheet joints 62 shown in FIG. 6C.

[0082] As described above, each of the sheet joints 60 (61, 62) is formed using a joining means such as ultrasonic welding. By having such fine sheet joints 60 scattered throughout the waistline member 20, the waistline member 20 can maintain good flexibility and stretchability, and can also ensure sufficient strength.

[0083] In this embodiment, it is preferable that the total area of ​​the first sheet joints 61 formed per unit area in region B (area ratio of the first sheet joints 61) is larger than the total area of ​​the second sheet joints 62 formed per unit area in regions C and D (area ratio of the second sheet joints 62). In other words, it is preferable that the rigidity of the waistline member 20 is higher in region B than in regions C and D.

[0084] Region C shown in FIG. 6A is located laterally inward of the pair of high-density portions 40, 40 when viewed in the thickness direction with the absorbent main body 10 attached to the waistline member 20 in layers. This region is where the absorbent core 11 undergoes convex deformation toward the wearer's skin, as explained in FIG. 5B . Therefore, by reducing the rigidity of the waistline member 20 in region C compared to region B, the stretchability of the waistline member 20 is less likely to be hindered in this region, making it easier for the absorbent main body 10 to maintain a fit around the wearer's crotch area when the napkin 1 is worn. On the other hand, region B, which is located laterally outward of the pair of high-density portions 40, 40, is likely to have a higher rigidity than region C. Therefore, the rigidity of the absorbent main body 10 is more likely to be maintained throughout region B, which prevents the absorbent main body 10 from being compressed in the laterally direction (so-called width contraction) and thereby reducing the fit when the napkin 1 is worn. In addition, region C has low rigidity and is more stretchable than region B, so even if the body moves due to tossing and turning, the absorbent main body 10 tends to stay fitted in the buttocks groove. This makes it possible to prevent menstrual blood from running along the skin in the gap between the buttocks and leaking.

[0085] Furthermore, in the napkin 1, region C is located closer to the rear in the longitudinal direction. In other words, the area of ​​region C behind the longitudinal center position CL is larger than the area of ​​region C in front of the center position CL (see FIG. 6A). That is, the rear (back) side of the waistline member 20 in the longitudinal direction has lower rigidity than the front (ventral) side. Therefore, when the napkin 1 is worn, the rear (back) side of the waistline member 20 is more likely to deform. With this configuration, when the wearer uses the napkin 1 in a sleeping position at night, the front side is more likely to retain its shape once it has been deformed, even if the wearer turns over in bed. In addition, by reducing the rigidity of the rear side, the expansion and contraction of the absorber elastic member 50 in the longitudinal direction (up-down direction) is less likely to be hindered, and the absorbent main body 10 is more likely to conform to the cleft of the wearer's buttocks. Furthermore, the rear (back) side of the waistline member 20 is more likely to contract in the left-right direction, making it easier to maintain a fit around the buttocks even if the wearer turns over in bed.

[0086] Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating a back joint 70 that joins the back sheet 14 and the side sheet 15 in the absorbent main body 10. As explained in Fig. 4, the back sheet 14 and the side sheet 15 are laminated in the thickness direction on the non-skin side of the absorbent core 11. The back sheet 14 and the side sheet 15 are joined to each other via the back joint 70 with the absorber elastic member 50 in a stretched state sandwiched between them. As shown in Fig. 7, the back joint 70 is formed by arranging a plurality of bonding materials, such as hot melt adhesive, applied in thin strips along the vertical direction (up-down direction) at predetermined intervals in the left-right direction.

[0087] 7, in the left-right direction, two strip-shaped back joints 70, 70 are arranged between the first elastic member 51 and the second elastic member 52, and one strip-shaped back joint 70 is arranged between the second elastic member 52 and the third elastic member 53. That is, in this embodiment, the area of ​​the back joints 70 per unit area in the region between the first elastic member 51 and the second elastic member 52 is larger than the area of ​​the back joints 70 per unit area in the region between the second elastic member 52 and the third elastic member 53. With this configuration, at least in the region between the first elastic member 51 and the second elastic member 52, the back sheet 14 and the side sheet 15 are joined more firmly than in the region between the second elastic member 52 and the third elastic member 53, and the rigidity of the absorbent main body 10 is increased.

[0088] As described above, the high-density portion 40 is provided in the region between the first elastic member 51 and the second elastic member 52 in the left-right direction, and this is the portion that serves as the folding origin when the absorbent main body 10 is three-dimensionally deformed when the napkin 1 is worn. Therefore, by increasing the rigidity of the absorbent main body 10 in this region, the absorbent main body 10 (absorbent core 11) is more likely to develop a crease, and when the absorbent core 11 is deformed convexly as shown in Fig. 5B, the shape is more likely to be maintained. This makes it easier for the absorbent main body 10 to maintain a fit around the wearer's crotch area, improving the absorbency of menstrual blood and the like and making it easier to suppress leakage.

[0089] Furthermore, in the napkin 1, as shown in FIG. 2, the position of the lower end 20web of the side joint 20we (both end portions 20fe) formed on the front waistline member 20f is higher in the up-down direction than the position of the upper end 50fu on the front side of the absorber elastic member 50. That is, the side joint 20we (both end portions 20fe) of the front waistline member 20f does not overlap with the absorber elastic member 50 in the up-down direction. Therefore, even if the front waistline member 20f deforms in response to the wearer's body (abdominal side) movement when the wearer bends forward or moves their legs forward while wearing the napkin 1, the influence of this deformation is unlikely to be transmitted to the absorber elastic member 50. Therefore, when the wearer moves their body, the position of the absorber main body 10 is prevented from shifting in conjunction with the movement of the front waistline member 20f, making it easier to maintain a good fit of the absorber main body 10. This makes it easier to prevent leakage of menstrual blood and the like.

[0090] Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating a main body joining section 80 for attaching and joining the absorbent main body 10 to the waistline member 20. In the napkin 1, the non-skin side of the absorbent main body 10 (the non-skin side of the side sheet 15) and the skin side of the waistline member 20 are joined to each other via the main body joining section 80 shown by the hatched area in Fig. 8. The main body joining section 80 is formed by a joining material such as a hot melt adhesive.

[0091] In the napkin 1 of the present embodiment, the width of the main body joint portion 80 in the left-right direction is larger than that of the central portion in the vertical direction (crotch portion) at both ends in the vertical direction (upper end portion in the up-down direction). That is, the main body joint portion 80 has a portion with a width W70a in the left-right direction at the front and rear end portions in the vertical direction (front upper end portion and rear upper end portion in the short-pants state), and has a portion with a width W70b narrower than W70a between the front end portion and the rear end portion in the vertical direction (lower end portion in the short-pants state) (W70a > W70b). With such a configuration, at both ends in the vertical direction, the absorbent main body 10 is widely joined to the body circumferential member 20, and it becomes difficult for the absorbent main body 10 to sag or deform. Therefore, at the abdomen and buttocks of the wearer, the absorbent main body 10 can easily fit widely and flatly. On the other hand, in the central portion in the vertical direction (crotch portion), since the portion where the absorbent main body 10 is joined to the body circumferential member 20 is narrow, the absorbent main body 10 is more likely to deform accordingly. Therefore, the rigidity of the absorbent main body 10 near the crotch portion of the wearer does not become excessively strong, the absorbent main body 10 can be easily deformed, and it is possible to suppress the both-side edges of the absorbent main body 10 from being pressed against the groin portion of the wearer and causing discomfort when the napkin 1 is worn. Thus, the absorbent main body 10 can be more easily and moderately fitted to the body (ventral side, crotch portion, buttocks) of the wearer as a whole, and it is easier to suppress leakage of menstrual blood and the like.

[0092] Also, the interval W51 between the pair of first elastic members 51, 51 in the left-right direction is narrower than the widths W70a, W70b of the main body joint portion 80 in the left-right direction (W51 < W70). Since the side sheet 15 constituting the leakage-preventing wall portion 30 is joined to the body circumferential member 20 by the main body joint portion 80, when the leakage-preventing wall portion 30 stands up on the skin side, the side sheet 15 can be bent on the skin side with both ends in the left-right direction of the main body joint portion 80 as a boundary. That is, both ends in the left-right direction of the main body joint portion 80 are positions that serve as the starting points for standing up when the leakage-preventing wall portion 30 stands up on the skin side. Therefore, by setting W51 < W70, it becomes difficult for the contraction force by the first elastic members 51, 51 to act at the starting points for standing up of the leakage-preventing wall portion 30, and it becomes difficult to inhibit the deformation (standing up) of the leakage-preventing wall portion 30.

[0093] The distance W51 between the pair of first elastic members 51, 51 in the left-right direction is wider than half the width W11 of the absorbent core 11 (W51 > W11 / 2). If the distance W51 between the first elastic members 51, 51 were less than half the width W11 of the absorbent core 11, the area of ​​the central portion of the absorbent core 11 in the left-right direction would be narrower and the areas of both side portions would be wider. In this case, it would be difficult for the absorbent core 11 to form a convex shape as described in FIG. 5B, and the left-right central portion of the absorbent core 11 would be less likely to fit around the excretory opening. Furthermore, even if the first elastic members 51 contract, the left-right side portions of the absorbent core 11 would not be sufficiently lifted, making it difficult for the absorbent core 11 to fit around the wearer's groin. In contrast, by making the distance W51 between the first elastic members 51, 51 larger than half the width W11 of the absorbent core 11, it becomes easier to appropriately deform the absorbent core 11 convexly, making it easier to achieve a good fit.

[0094] Furthermore, the high-density portion 40 of this embodiment does not overlap with the fold line (the center position CL in the longitudinal direction) when the napkin 1 is folded in half in the front-to-rear direction. In FIG. 4, the center position CL is located between the second high-density portion 42 and the third high-density portion 43 in the longitudinal direction. That is, the high-density portion 40 is arranged so that there is no portion that overlaps with the center position CL (the fold line) in the longitudinal direction. Because the high-density portion 40 is not continuous in the longitudinal direction across the fold line, when the napkin 1 is worn, the movements of the ventral side and the dorsal side are less likely to be linked, and the absorbent main body 10 in each region is more likely to deform independently. This allows the ventral side and dorsal side of the absorbent main body 10 to more easily follow the movement of the wearer's body, further improving fit. This makes it easier to suppress leakage of menstrual blood, etc.

[0095] The high-density section 40 of the napkin 1 also has an inverted portion 40r inverted to the opposite side in the longitudinal direction. In FIG. 4, the second high-density section 42 has an inverted portion 42r1 inverted to the rear at its longitudinal front end, and an inverted portion 42r2 inverted to the front at its longitudinal rear end. These inverted portions 42r1 and 42r2 are arranged to straddle the first elastic member 51 in the left-right direction. That is, the inverted portions 42r1 and 42r2 have portions that intersect with the first elastic member 51. At the portions where these inverted portions 42r1 and 42r2 intersect with the first elastic member 51, the influence of the inverted portions 42r1 and 42r2 makes it difficult for the contractile force of the first elastic member 51 to act on the absorbent core 11. Therefore, by adjusting the arrangement of the inverted portion 40r, it is possible to locally control the deformation of the absorbent core 11. 4, by weakening the contractile force of the first elastic members 51 between the inverted portions 42r1 and 42r2, the absorbent core 11 can more easily maintain a flat shape in this region than in other regions. This makes it easier for the absorbent core 11 to fit along the flat surface of the wearer's abdomen.

[0096] <Modification> In the above-described embodiment, the high density portion 40 includes so-called hinge-shaped first high density portion 41, second high density portion 42, and third high density portion 43, which are formed linearly by arranging a plurality of dot-shaped compressed portions, but the high density portion 40 is not limited to such linear arrangement. For example, the high density portion 40 may be formed by providing a plurality of embossed portions 45 (see FIG. 9 described later) over the entire absorbent core 11, instead of the above-described first density portion 41, etc.

[0097] Unlike the high-density portions 41 to 43, the embossed portion 45 is a portion of the absorbent main body 10 where only the absorbent core 11 is compressed in the thickness direction, thereby making the density of the absorbent core 11 higher than that of the surrounding portions, and is formed during the manufacturing process of the absorbent core 11. By arranging a plurality of such embossed portions 45 at a predetermined pitch in the vertical and horizontal directions, the absorbent core 11 can easily maintain its thin plate-like shape, and is less likely to lose its shape even when the wearer moves while wearing the napkin 1.

[0098] In this modification, an embossed portion 45 as the high-density portion 40 is provided in the region between the first elastic member 51 and the second elastic member 52 in the left-right direction. As a result, when the absorber elastic members 50 (51, 52) contract, the embossed portion 45 (high-density portion 40) becomes the bending starting point, and the absorbent core 11 is likely to deform three-dimensionally as described in FIG. 5B . That is, of the absorbent main body 10 (absorbent core 11), the left-right central portion where the second elastic member 52 is arranged and the left-right side portions where the first elastic member 51 is arranged each deform convexly toward the wearer's crotch and come into close contact with the wearer's skin. This improves the fit to the wearer's excretory opening (vaginal opening) and groin area in the crotch area, making it less likely for excretory fluid such as menstrual blood to leak.

[0099] === Second Embodiment === In the second embodiment, a shorts-type napkin 1 will be described in which the structure of the absorbent main body 10 is different from that of the first embodiment. In the absorbent main body 10 of the second embodiment, a plurality of embossed portions 45 are provided on the absorbent core 11. The other configuration is almost the same as that of the shorts-type napkin 1 of the first embodiment. Fig. 9 shows a plan view and a cross-sectional view of the absorbent main body 10 of the second embodiment. Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of area E in Fig. 9.

[0100] As described above, the embossed portions 45 are formed by compressing the absorbent core 11 in the thickness direction. That is, in the absorbent main body 10 (absorbent core 11), the portions where the embossed portions 45 are formed become high-density portions 40 that are denser than the surrounding portions. In the second embodiment, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, dot-shaped embossed portions 45 are scattered throughout the absorbent core 11 at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction (up and down direction) and horizontal direction (left and right direction) in the unfolded state. The scattered embossed portions 45 in this manner prevent the water-retentive fibers, such as pulp fibers, that make up the absorbent core 11 from breaking apart, so that the absorbent core 11 is less likely to lose its shape and is more likely to maintain good water absorption.

[0101] In the absorbent core 11 of the second embodiment, the embossed portions 45 are regularly arranged. In Fig. 10, the pitch between two adjacent embossed portions 45, 45 in the vertical direction (up-down direction) is p45v, and the pitch between two adjacent embossed portions 45, 45 in the horizontal direction (left-right direction) is p45s. These pitches p45v and p45s are both narrower than the interval d50 (d50A, d50B) between the absorber elastic members 50 (51-53) in the horizontal direction (left-right direction) (p45v, p45s <d50)。

[0102] When such a napkin 1 is worn, as described in FIG. 5B , the high-density portions 40 provided between the first elastic members 51 and the second elastic members 52 act as bending points, causing the absorbent core 11 to deform convexly toward the wearer's excretory opening and groin, improving fit. Furthermore, since multiple embossed portions 45 are provided throughout the absorbent core 11, the absorbent main body 10 (absorbent core 11) is more likely to maintain its shape after convex deformation. Furthermore, since the embossed portions 45 are provided at a pitch narrower than the spacing between the absorber elastic members 50, the multiple embossed portions 45 are more likely to interfere with the force generated by the expansion and contraction of the absorber elastic members 50 when the wearer moves their legs or body while wearing the napkin 1. This prevents the absorbent core 11 from twisting and allows the absorbent core 11 to more easily follow the wearer's subtle body movements. This further improves fit when the napkin 1 is worn.

[0103] Furthermore, in the longitudinal direction (up-down direction) of the absorbent main body 10 in the unfolded state, at least a part of the embossed portions 45 is arranged outside the region where the contractile force of the absorber elastic member 50 acts. That is, in the longitudinal direction of Fig. 9, at least a part of the embossed portions 45 is arranged in a region forward of the end 50fu on the front side of the absorber elastic member 50. Similarly, in the longitudinal direction, at least a part of the embossed portions 45 is arranged in a region rearward of the end 50bu on the rear side of the absorber elastic member 50.

[0104] If the contractile force of the absorber elastic members 50 were to act over the entire absorbent core 11 in the longitudinal direction, the absorbent main body 10 would be prone to convex deformation in the relatively flat lower abdominal area (abdominal side) and near the sacrum (dorsal side). This would likely create gaps between the wearer's body and the absorbent main body 10, potentially causing leakage of excrement, such as menstrual blood. By limiting the range (the so-called effective length range) over which the stretchability of the absorber elastic members 50 acts in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent core 11 and providing the high-rigidity portions 40 (embossed portions 45) outside of this range, it is possible to more easily maintain this area flat. This allows the absorbent main body 10 to fit snugly along the shape of the wearer's body in the lower abdominal area (abdominal side) and near the sacrum (dorsal side) when the napkin 1 is worn, making it easier to prevent leakage of excrement.

[0105] Furthermore, the waistline member 20 of the napkin 1 is provided with a plurality of sheet joints 60 that join the non-skin side sheet 21 and the skin side sheets 22, 23 (see FIG. 6 ), and it is desirable that the distance between two adjacent sheet joints 60, 60 in the left-right direction (lateral direction) is narrower than the pitch p45s of the embossed portions 45 in the left-right direction (lateral direction). In this case, when the waistline member 20 contracts in the left-right direction while the napkin 1 is being worn, fine irregularities (wrinkles on the surface of the waistline member 20) are likely to be formed between the adjacent sheet joints 60, 60. Therefore, the fine wrinkles formed in the waistline member 20 on the non-skin side of the absorbent main body 10 make the absorbent main body 10 (absorbent core 11) less likely to wrinkle, thereby improving the fit of the napkin 1.

[0106] Furthermore, in the napkin 1, it is desirable that the width W80 in the left-right direction of the main body joint 80 that joins the absorbent main body 10 and the waistline member 20 is larger than the width W11 in the left-right direction of the absorbent core 11 (see FIG. 9). With this configuration, the stretchability of the waistline member 20 in the left-right direction (lateral direction) is easily transmitted to the entire left-right direction (lateral direction) of the absorbent core 11. Therefore, the stretchability of the waistline member 20 makes it easier to press the absorbent core 11 against the wearer's body, further improving fit. Note that the width W80 in the left-right direction of the main body joint 80 is narrower than the width of the absorbent main body 10 in the left-right direction. This prevents the hot melt adhesive or the like that forms the main body joint 80 from seeping outward in the left-right direction of the absorbent main body 10 and adhering to the wearer's body or clothing.

[0107] Furthermore, it is desirable that at least a portion of the embossed portions 45 provided on the absorbent core 11 be located laterally outward of the pair of second high-density portions 42 (41, 43) that serve as the bending starting points when the absorbent core 11 undergoes a convex deformation as shown in FIG. 5B (see FIG. 9). The regions of the absorbent core 11 that are laterally outward of the pair of high-density portions 42 (41, 43) are likely to be subjected to a compressive force inward in the lateral direction when the absorbent core 11 is sandwiched between the wearer's legs when the napkin 1 is worn. Therefore, by providing the embossed portions 45 in such regions and increasing their rigidity, the absorbent core 11 is prevented from narrowing in width or from becoming distorted or sagging between the wearer's legs when further compressed in the lateral direction after undergoing a convex deformation. This improves the fit of the napkin 1 and makes it easier to prevent side leakage of excrement.

[0108] ===Other=== The above-described embodiments are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention may be modified or improved without departing from the spirit thereof, and it goes without saying that the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

[0109] In the above embodiment, the napkin 1 has been described as an example of a shorts-type absorbent article, but the present invention is also applicable to light incontinence pants for adults.

[0110] In the above-described embodiment, elastic sheets such as elastic nonwoven fabrics are used as the skin side sheets 22, 23 constituting the waistline member 20, thereby imparting stretchability in the left-right direction to the waistline member 20. However, other elastic members may be provided in the waistline member 20. For example, as shown in Fig. 2, waistline elastic members 25 such as rubber threads may be provided at the upper end portions of the front waistline member 20f and the back waistline member 20b so as to be stretchable in the left-right direction. The provision of such waistline elastic members 25 further improves the fit at the waistline opening 1b, and can prevent the waistline member 20 from shifting position when the napkin 1 is worn.

[0111] Furthermore, when the waist elastic members 25 are provided in the waist member 20, it is advisable to arrange the waist elastic members 25 so that at least a portion of each overlaps with the skin side sheets 22, 23. In this way, the lateral stretchability exhibited by the waist elastic members 25 and the lateral stretchability exhibited by the skin side sheets 22, 23 work together to further improve the fit of the napkin 1 around the waist of the wearer. [Explanation of symbols]

[0112] 1. Napkins (shorts-type napkins, absorbent articles), 1a waist opening, 1b leg opening, 10. Absorbent body; 11 absorbent core, 12 top sheet, 13 second sheet, 14 back sheet, 15 side sheet, 15t end, 20 girth member, 20f front waistband member, 20fe end portion, 20b rear waistband member, 20be end portion, 20we side joint, 21 non-skin side sheet, 22 skin side sheet, 23 skin side sheet, 25 waist elastic member; 30 Leakage prevention wall section, 31 Leakage wall elastic member, 32f front joint, 32b rear joint, 40 High density area, 41 1st high density part, 42 second high density portion, 42r1 inversion portion, 42r2 inversion portion, 43 third high density portion, 43c rear convex portion, 45 embossed part, 50 absorbent elastic member, 51 first elastic member, 52 second elastic member, 53 third elastic member, 60 sheet joints, 61 first sheet joint, 62 second sheet joint, 70 back joint, 80 Main body joint, 100 Absorbent body (comparison example) CL center position (fold line)

Claims

1. having an up-down direction, a left-right direction, and a front-rear direction which intersect with one another, A shorts-type napkin having an absorbent body with a liquid-absorbent core and a waistband member disposed on the non-skin side of the absorbent body, a plurality of elastic members that stretch along the up-down direction are provided at predetermined intervals in the left-right direction on the non-skin side of the absorbent core of the absorbent main body; The elastic members each include a first elastic member disposed on the outermost side in the left-right direction and a second elastic member disposed adjacent to the first elastic member on the inner side, the absorbent main body has a high density portion in which the density of the absorbent core is higher than that of a surrounding portion at least in a region between the first elastic member and the second elastic member in the left-right direction, a folding line for folding the shorts-type napkin in half in the front-rear direction; a length of a portion on the rear side of the folding line where a contraction force of the elastic member acts is longer than a length of a portion on the front side of the folding line where a contraction force of the elastic member acts; The high-density portion is a dot-shaped embossed portion that compresses the absorbent core in the thickness direction, a plurality of the embossed portions are provided at predetermined intervals in the up-down direction and the left-right direction, a pitch between two adjacent embossed portions in the up-down direction and a pitch between two adjacent embossed portions in the left-right direction are both narrower than a distance between two adjacent elastic members in the left-right direction, A shorts-type napkin characterized in that, in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body in the unfolded state, at least a portion of the embossed portion is positioned in front of and behind the area where the contraction force of the elastic member acts.

2. The shorts-type napkin according to claim 1, the waistband member has at least a skin side sheet and a non-skin side sheet laminated on the non-skin side of the skin side sheet, At least one of the skin side sheet and the non-skin side sheet is a stretch sheet stretchable in the left-right direction, a plurality of sheet joining sections joining the skin side sheet and the non-skin side sheet; The shorts-type napkin is characterized in that the interval between two adjacent sheet joint portions in the left-right direction is narrower than the pitch between two adjacent embossed portions in the left-right direction.

3. The shorts-type napkin according to claim 1 or 2, a main body joining portion that joins the absorbent main body to the skin side of the waist portion; A shorts-type napkin, wherein the width of the main body joint portion in the left-right direction is wider than the width of the absorbent core.

4. having an up-down direction, a left-right direction, and a front-rear direction which intersect with one another, A shorts-type napkin having an absorbent body with a liquid-absorbent core and a waistband member disposed on the non-skin side of the absorbent body, a plurality of elastic members that stretch along the up-down direction are provided at predetermined intervals in the left-right direction on the non-skin side of the absorbent core of the absorbent main body; The elastic members each include a first elastic member disposed on the outermost side in the left-right direction and a second elastic member disposed adjacent to the first elastic member on the inner side, the absorbent main body has a high density portion in which the density of the absorbent core is higher than that of a surrounding portion at least in a region between the first elastic member and the second elastic member in the left-right direction, The absorbent body has a liquid-impermeable back sheet disposed closer to the skin than the absorbent core, and a side sheet laminated on the back sheet closer to the skin, a back joint portion that joins the back sheet and the side sheet; a third elastic member disposed adjacent to the second elastic member on the inner side in the left-right direction; In the left-right direction, a total area of ​​the back joint portions formed per unit area in a region between the first elastic member and the second elastic member is larger than a total area of ​​the back joint portions formed per unit area in a region between the second elastic member and the third elastic member, The high-density portion is a dot-shaped embossed portion that compresses the absorbent core in the thickness direction, a plurality of the embossed portions are provided at predetermined intervals in the up-down direction and the left-right direction, a pitch between two adjacent embossed portions in the up-down direction and a pitch between two adjacent embossed portions in the left-right direction are both narrower than a distance between two adjacent elastic members in the left-right direction, A shorts-type napkin characterized in that, in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body in the unfolded state, at least a portion of the embossed portion is positioned in front of and behind the area where the contraction force of the elastic member acts.

5. having an up-down direction, a left-right direction, and a front-rear direction which intersect with one another, A shorts-type napkin having an absorbent body with a liquid-absorbent core and a waistband member disposed on the non-skin side of the absorbent body, a plurality of elastic members that stretch along the up-down direction are provided at predetermined intervals in the left-right direction on the non-skin side of the absorbent core of the absorbent main body; The elastic members each include a first elastic member disposed on the outermost side in the left-right direction and a second elastic member disposed adjacent to the first elastic member on the inner side, the absorbent main body has a high density portion in which the density of the absorbent core is higher than that of a surrounding portion at least in a region between the first elastic member and the second elastic member in the left-right direction, The waistband member has a front waistband member and a rear waistband member, At both ends in the left-right direction, side joint portions are provided to join the front waistline member and the rear waistline member to each other, a lower end of the side joint portion is positioned higher than an upper end of the first elastic member in front of a folding line when the shorts-type napkin is folded in half in the front-rear direction; The high-density portion is a dot-shaped embossed portion that compresses the absorbent core in the thickness direction, a plurality of the embossed portions are provided at predetermined intervals in the up-down direction and the left-right direction, a pitch between two adjacent embossed portions in the up-down direction and a pitch between two adjacent embossed portions in the left-right direction are both narrower than a distance between two adjacent elastic members in the left-right direction, A shorts-type napkin characterized in that, in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body in the unfolded state, at least a portion of the embossed portion is positioned in front of and behind the area where the contraction force of the elastic member acts.

6. having an up-down direction, a left-right direction, and a front-rear direction which intersect with one another, A shorts-type napkin having an absorbent body with a liquid-absorbent core and a waistband member disposed on the non-skin side of the absorbent body, a plurality of elastic members that stretch along the up-down direction are provided at predetermined intervals in the left-right direction on the non-skin side of the absorbent core of the absorbent main body; The elastic members each include a first elastic member disposed on the outermost side in the left-right direction and a second elastic member disposed adjacent to the first elastic member on the inner side, the absorbent main body has a high density portion in which the density of the absorbent core is higher than that of a surrounding portion at least in a region between the first elastic member and the second elastic member in the left-right direction, a main body joining portion that joins the absorbent main body to the skin side of the waist portion; a distance between the pair of first elastic members in the left-right direction is greater than half the width of the absorbent core and smaller than the width of the main body joint portion; The high-density portion is a dot-shaped embossed portion that compresses the absorbent core in the thickness direction, a plurality of the embossed portions are provided at predetermined intervals in the up-down direction and the left-right direction, a pitch between two adjacent embossed portions in the up-down direction and a pitch between two adjacent embossed portions in the left-right direction are both narrower than a distance between two adjacent elastic members in the left-right direction, A shorts-type napkin characterized in that, in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body in the unfolded state, at least a portion of the embossed portion is positioned in front of and behind the area where the contraction force of the elastic member acts.

7. having an up-down direction, a left-right direction, and a front-rear direction which intersect with one another, A shorts-type napkin having an absorbent body with a liquid-absorbent core and a waistband member disposed on the non-skin side of the absorbent body, a plurality of elastic members that stretch along the up-down direction are provided at predetermined intervals in the left-right direction on the non-skin side of the absorbent core of the absorbent main body; The elastic members each include a first elastic member disposed on the outermost side in the left-right direction and a second elastic member disposed adjacent to the first elastic member on the inner side, the absorbent main body has a high density portion in which the density of the absorbent core is higher than that of a surrounding portion at least in a region between the first elastic member and the second elastic member in the left-right direction, a folding line for folding the shorts-type napkin in half in the front-rear direction; There is no overlapping portion between the high density portion and the folding line, The high-density portion is a dot-shaped embossed portion that compresses the absorbent core in the thickness direction, a plurality of the embossed portions are provided at predetermined intervals in the up-down direction and the left-right direction, a pitch between two adjacent embossed portions in the up-down direction and a pitch between two adjacent embossed portions in the left-right direction are both narrower than a distance between two adjacent elastic members in the left-right direction, A shorts-type napkin characterized in that, in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body in the unfolded state, at least a portion of the embossed portion is positioned in front of and behind the area where the contraction force of the elastic member acts.

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